Cal State Today Spring 2005

Alumni

Access

2005-06 CSUB
Alumni Association
Board of Directors

Bryan Burrow
President
MBA 2000

Sheryl Chalupa
President Elect
BA Political Science 1995, MPA 2005

Renee Kinzel
Past President
BS Business Administration/management
1997

Mike Russo
Vice President/Finance
BS Business Admin 1987
MBA 1993

Lisa Baldridge
Vice President/Programs
BA English 1991

Marilyn Hallman
Vice President/Community Relations
BA Public Administration 1993

Perry Eggleston
Secretary
BA Criminal Justice 1996
MPA 2000

Javier Albiar
BS Business Administration 2003

Allen Belluomini
MBA 1991
Life Member #180

Nancy Chaffin
BS Business Administration 1991

Kathy Daniel
BS Nursing 1978

Jack Moon Gallon
BA English 1974

Geoff Gould
BS Business Administration 1974

Carla Johns
BA Criminal Justice 2000

Janet Millar
BA Psychology 1978
MA Education 1982

John Nilon
BS Political Science 1977
MPA 1988

Scott Stanley
BA Economics 1995

Isabel Sumaya
MA Psychology 1997

Scott Ziemann
BS Business Administration 1994
MBA 1999

McCarthy is alumnus of year

By Jaclyn Loveless

Kevin McCarthy, the southern San Joaquin Valley’s 32^nd district Assemblyman, is CSUB’s 2004-05 Alumnus of the Year.

“Kevin is a great example of the leaders that CSUB produces and the impact alumni have, not only locally, but also statewide and nationwide,” CSUB financial aid counselor Frank Ramirez wrote in his nomination letter. “… Major accomplishments in his profession and for our society have become Kevin McCarthy, 32nd district Assemblyman, center, receives CSUB’s 2004-05 Alumnus of the Year honor from former Alumni president Renee Kinzel, left, and CSUB President Horace Mitchell. very time consuming, but Kevin continues to make time for CSUB and its students. He is regularly seen on campus in political science classes, panel discussions, and public forums.”

McCarthy was first elected to the Assembly in November 2002, and re-elected in 2004. As a freshman legislator, he was selected unanimously by his Republican colleagues to serve as the Assembly Republican Leader. With a strong vision for reform, McCarthy assumed the leadership position in January 2003.

He is also a member of “Big 5,” which includes Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the four principal legislative leaders – president pro tem of the Senate, Senate minority leader, Assembly speaker and Assembly minority leader. During “Big 5” meetings, the legislative leaders participate in deliberations on critical issues such as California’s budget crisis and workers’ compensation. McCarthy also served on Schwarzenegger’s transition team.

McCarthy is a fourth generation Kern County resident, graduating from Bakersfield High School in 1983 and earning two degrees from CSUB: a bachelor’s degree in marketing in 1989, and an MBA in 1994. The Assemblyman put himself through college, turning a winning lotto scratcher into stock market investments, and a used-car operation into ownership of a deli. He sold the deli, Kevin O’s, after a year to raise money to go to school.

“Assemblyman McCarthy attributes his success to his experience at CSUB,” said CSUB Alumni Association President Renee Kinzel.

Slaby leaves CSUB

Jill Slaby, who has served as CSUB’s director of alumni relations since November 1996, has left the university to take a similar position at College of Santa Fe in Santa Fe, N.M.

During her 8_ years at CSUB, she elevated the Alumni Association to new heights, helping build the Alumni Association’s role within the university, working with the 60+ Club, increasing the number of alumni activities on campus, and working to promote the graduates and their contributions to the campus and the community.

Under Slaby’s watch the association’s showcase event, Party in the Park, the wine-tasting fundraiser that benefits the Alumni Scholarship Fund, increased from less than 100 attendance and a handful of wineries to nearly 700 attendees and more than 60 wineries.

A search for Slaby’s successor will begin immediately.

Party in the Park is best yet

The CSUB Alumni Association’s annual Party in the Park wine tasting has become not only a major event for the university but also a major wine event in Central California.

May’s ninth annual “party” broke all previous records – number of wineries (60), attendance (nearly 700), and amount raised for scholarships and the Alumni Park fund (more than $9,000).

Mike Neal, left, vice president for business and administrative services, and geology professor Rob Negrini, chat during annual Party in the Park. The Alumni Association, along with the Bakersfield Wine Society, hosts the event which annually features some of California’s finest wineries pouring a variety of different wines, plus grilled sausages and assorted hors d’oeuvres. Funds for the alumni scholarship fund are raised through ticket sales; this year, Party in the Park also featured live and silent auctions featuring lifestyle, art, cultural, and wine-oriented items that raised additional funds for Alumni Park improvements.

And the wineries have recognized the value of participating in CSUB’s Party in the Park. “Because Bakersfield is such a fast-growing market, Party in the Park is a great venue for us,” said Daryl Groom, president of Peak Wines International, parent company of Geyser Peak.

< Page 19 | Table of Contents | Page 21 >