Annual breakfast honors 30-year CSUMB veterans and others

By Mark Muckenfuss

They’ve been here since the beginning. 

On Thursday, Jan. 15 – a year after Cal State Monterey Bay celebrated its 30th anniversary – two staff and five faculty members were honored for their service over the three decades CSUMB has been here.

Jeffrey Froshman, who has been a business lecturer from the start, recalled how small the faculty was in 1994 – “There were more administrators than faculty” – and how things have changed over the years.

“I’ve seen everybody come and I’ve seen everybody go,” said Frosman, who founded the Dean’s Advisory Council and the annual Ethics and Responsible Business Forum. "It’s been a fabulous experience. It looks like a campus now, and not a repurposed Army barracks. The biggest change for me is the explosion of all the new programs and, because of that, the increase in students.” 

Some of those students he’s known for a long time. 

“There’s Henry Simpson,” he said, motioning toward CSUMB’s interim deputy chief information officer, who was standing nearby. “He was in my first class.”

Seeing such people around campus is satisfying, he said.

“I couldn’t be happier or more proud of them all.”

Susan Alexander, professor of ecology in the Division of Science and Environmental Policy, was another honoree. She said it’s been gratifying to see the campus evolve from humble beginnings. 

“The growth and maturity of a wonderful university has been the biggest change,” Alexander said. “It’s become a thriving university with so many fantastic programs.

“It’s gone by so fast,” she added. “It’s been a privilege to be here. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”

Also among the honorees were:

• Stephanie Johnson, a professor in the Visual and Public Art program who has worked nationally and internationally on set and stage design;
• Paoze Thao, a professor of linguistics and education in the College of Education who is the author of several books and a recognized expert on linguistics, language acquisition, and Southeast Asian history and culture;
• Qun Wang, a professor in Humanities and Communication whose work has included book chapters, peer-reviewed articles, essays and short stories, and who has guest lectured at prestigious universities around the world;
• Priscilla Angulo, a graduation counselor in the Office of the Registrar who supports students in a variety of undergraduate majors and graduate programs and serves as the department's Commencement committee representative; and
• Michelle Hill, who, as records and registration coordinator in the Office of the Registrar, oversees transcript ordering and has been a great mentor, building strong relationships with student assistants who have returned as staff after graduation.

The awards were part of the annual Employee Appreciation Breakfast that precedes the start of spring semester. In addition to other incremental milestone awards for years of service, the event also honored those who had earned degrees in the past year, newly tenured faculty, and individualized awards for various aspects of service. 

The event culminated in the Presidential Awards, presented by CSUMB President Vanya Quiñones. The awards, Quiñones told the packed ballroom of the University Center, “recognize exceptional work and commitment to the mission and values of our university.”

Josh Goin, the associate director of facilities and planning for Student Housing and Residential Life, was honored as the Outstanding MPP/Manager for leading the development of new housing strategies as the demand for residential space has grown. 

Tritia Moneypenny, coordinator of community partnerships for the Service Learning Institute, received the Outstanding Staff Award for providing stability to the institute during a period of leadership transition and revitalizing the Community Partner Fair.

Professor JP Dundore-Arias, who heads the Agricultural Plant and Soil Science department, was given the Outstanding Faculty Award for garnering more than $10 million in research grants and publishing 14 research papers that have added important knowledge to the discipline. The nationally recognized research program he has developed is addressing regional challenges for local growers.

A group award went to the OtterCare team that runs the Basic Needs program: Robyn DoCanto, Daisy Moore, Ashleigh Pini and Amy Zamara.

Other awards presented during the event included the following:

Provost Faculty Awards

• Danielle Burchett, Outstanding Professional Application
• Mohamed Abouzahra, Outstanding Research and Creative Activity
• Leslie Boni, Outstanding Student Success and Curricular Innovation 
• Renee Penalver, Outstanding Teaching
• Trish Sevene, Outstanding University Service 

Cabinet Staff Awards

• Chris Carpenter, Distinguished Service 
• Eric Barajas, Otter Spirit 
• Gryphon Jung, Exemplary Contributions 
• Jennifer Willoughby, Superior Customer Service