Outstanding
Graduating Senior of the School
Outstanding Graduate in English
Clayton Plake
Clayton’s extraordinary academic performance prompted his professor and department chair to develop a more challenging program of study for him, substituting graduate level courses for undergraduate requirements. As part of this special curriculum, Clayton completed two 500-level courses, earning A’s in both courses. n the 2007 Castle and Cooke Writing Awards, Clayton won both first and second place in the Outstanding Undergraduate Research Paper literary category for his papers “Kurtz’s Last Bow: Performativity and Masculinity in Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, and “The Enigmatic I: The Symbolic, the Semiotic, and the Female Self in the Poetry of Joanne Baille.” Clayton is a member of the English honor society, Sigma Tau Delta. He served as publicity chair last year and was very involved in publicizing the California Writer’s Series. Clayton has been accepted into the master’s program in English at San Francisco State University and plans to do doctoral work in English at Berkeley, Duke, or Irvine. His long-term goal is to teach at the university level, specializing in postmodern American literature and literary history.
Clayton, Drs. Marit MacArthur and Merry Pawlowski, and Dean Ed Sasaki
Jose Lopez
Jose has proven himself to be “both inquisitive and passionate for field work.” He excelled in the classroom and laboratory, earning A’s in courses ranging from archeological methods and theory to forensic anthropology, the later in which he analyzed human skeletal remains. While English is Jose’s second language, his professors say that the grammar and content of his research papers and essay question answers rival or surpass those of his peers who are native English speakers. A first generation college graduate, Jose plans to earn a master’s degree in Anthropology, and to pursue his dream of running field archaeology projects in Mexico.
Jose and Dr. Karen Stocker
Outstanding Graduate
in Art
David Ryan
When working in sculpture, David would take it upon himself to research and fabricate the specific tools he wanted to experiment with. When he wanted to cast aluminum, he made a sand-casting box and poured aluminum on his own. When he wanted to manipulate wood in a certain way by bending it, he researched and developed a steaming apparatus. In 2006, David volunteered his skill and time to assist German visiting artist Roland Meyers. He volunteers at The Basement, a new gallery for emerging artists to keep his finger on the pulse of the Bakersfield art scene. David is weighing his options for graduate school and plans to earn an advanced degree whether it is a Master of Fine Arts or a masters and doctoral degree in English.
David and Professors Michael Heivly and Rebecca Weller
Outstanding Graduate in Communications
Chris Baden
Chris has been chosen to work with a major film production studio this summer through the CSU Media Internship program in Los Angeles. The selection process was extremely competitive, but Chris’s portfolio, grades and compelling personal statement earned him acceptance. For one of his communications courses, Chris shot more than 300 hours of video for his church. After editing and packaging, Chris’s project not only satisfied the course assignment, but could be used in his church. Chris also does video and audio production work for his church, managing a crew that tapes weekly sermons that are shown in another city. This summer Chris will participate in the Chicago Style Comedy Program as part of the CSU Summer Arts program doing long-form improvisational work. He plans to apply to an MFA program in film in southern California after working in film production for a year.
Chris and Dr. Mary Slaughter
Outstanding Graduate in Criminal Justice
Tiara
Lowe
Tiara takes pride in the research and analytical skills she has developed while earning her degree in Criminal Justice. She is a member of Alpha Phi Sigma and Alpha Chi National honor societies. Tiara has worked with at-risk youth on many occasions. As a mentor, she shared her personal stories in hopes that she could have a positive influence on the direction the kids lives would take. She also worked as a tutor in after-school programs at the education center on the Indian reservation where she grew up. Tiara says her mom is her hero. The choices her mother made have enabled Tiara to become the person she is today. The first in her family to receive a college degree, Tiara’s immediate plan is to become a teacher. She has applied to the credential program at CSUB, but her long-term goal is to go to law school.
Tiara and Dr. Reem Abu-Lughod
Outstanding
Graduate in History
Daniel Sexton
Daniel excels at research and writing. In 2009, he was a winner of the Phi Alpha Theta paper competition, taking first place in the undergraduate division with his paper “Mexico for the Mexicans: the 1938 Oil Expropriation.” He later presented the paper at Phi Alpha Theta’s regional paper conference at UCLA. Daniel helped archive The George Berry Davis Civil War Letters, at the Walter Stiern Library. Using his research, he wrote a biography of Davis that is available on the library’s website. As part of a collaboration between the History Department and the Oildale Centennial Committee, Daniel is writing a brief history of Oildale which he will present at the History Department’s “Oildale and Beyond” conference in November 2009. Daniel has been accepted into the Teach for America and will spend the next year working in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He plans to later attend graduate school to obtain a doctorate in history.
Daniel and Dr. Cliona Murphy
Outstanding Graduate in
Liberal
Studies
Amy Smith
Amy is completing a Liberal Studies degree with a subject matter authorization to teach introductory mathematics. This will allow her to teach multiple subjects in elementary school and math in grades 6 through 9. Amy’s main goal is to become a junior high school mathematics teacher because she loves students at that age. A big influence in Amy’s life was one of her own junior high teachers – he helped her with real life situations, made learning fun, and taught her life lessons she will always remember. As a volunteer, Amy teaches a class for women who are studying to pass the GED exam at the Bakersfield Rescue Mission. Most of the women have not been in school for many years and struggle with exams, so she teaches test taking strategies as well as core concepts such as fractions, decimals, and multiplication. Amy is in the multiple subject credential program, and she is considering getting a single subject credential in math so she can teach math at the high school level.
Amy and Ms. Pam Conners
Outstanding Graduate in Music
Daniel Musquez
Daniel has created numerous compositions that have been featured in his performances at the Reno Jazz Festival, Bakersfield Jazz Festival, and CSUB Coffeehouses. His works and trumpet performance are also featured on the latest CSUB recording. He is a member of Alpha Chi, the national honor society. Daniel volunteered as a student host for the Junior High Band and Orchestra Festival and worked with the South High School band program every year he was at CSUB. In summer 2008, he was an assistant at Summer Arts, and he assisted the music department with the organization of promotional materials to publicize the music program. Daniel plan a career as a music educator and will enter the credential program in Fall 2009.
Daniel and Professor Jim Scully
Outstanding Graduate in
Philosophy
Nicholas Siewell
Described by his professors as thoughtful, hardworking, and respectful of the learning process and his peers, Nick improved the classroom conversation and pushed other students to consider problems in a new light. Nick pursued philosophy beyond what was demanded by the requirements for his major. He participated in two reading groups, one on Foucault and one on Heidegger, and it was usually Nick whom had done the most exploring and thinking through of other issues being addressed. Nick was also a member of the Philosophy & Religious Studies club. A first generation college student, Nick plans to earn a graduate degree in philosophy after taking a year off to travel. He plans to pursue a career in writing and music.
Nicholas and Dr. Debra Jackson
Outstanding Graduate in Political Science
Jessica Price
With plans to work in law enforcement, Jessica is completing a double major in political science and criminal justice. As part of her coursework, she has done research on the impact of politics on the criminal justice system and how it affected the enactment of drug laws. Jessica is a member of Pi Sigma Alpha, the Political Science Honor society and Zeta Iota, the Criminal Justice honor society. She hopes to work for the San Diego Police Department and to eventually become a homicide detective.
Jessica and Professor Kent Price
Outstanding Graduate in Psychology
Vanessa Rodriguez
With a desire to become involved in a behavioral neuroscience lab, Vanessa assisted in the basic care and maintenance of CSUB’s animal colony but it soon became very apparent that she was a natural in the lab. Vanessa has done research with three faculty members. As a result of her work with Drs. Isabel Sumaya and Matthew Leon, Vanessa will present three projects at the Society for Neuroscience international meeting in November 2009. Her work on Dr. Luis Vega’s Meta-Analysis examining neuroleptic use and sleep disturbances in Schizophrenia led to her being chosen a 2008-09 McNair Scholar, and, in 2009, she will present these data at the National Research Symposium for McNair students in Berkeley. Vanessa is a member of Psi Chi, the honor society for psychology, and the Psychology Club. She will begin work on an Interdisciplinary masters degree at CSUB in the Fall.
Vanessa, Dr. Isabel Sumaya and Dean Ed Sasaki
Outstanding Graduate in Religious Studies
Jody Staller
Jody has a great passion for learning and a level of insight superior to that of her peers. Described as having a keen intelligence, she writes with clarity and precision. Jody served as a teaching assistant in Religious Studies and the Quest for Meaning, and she did an excellent job working with students. Her ability to tutor students on their writing showed that she is a natural teacher, having the ability to communicate difficult ideas to a general audience in an inviting way. She gave an excellent lecture on Marcus Borg’s book Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time and captivated students, who because they were not Religious Studies majors, were at times uninterested in the study of religion. Jody has a clear and passionate commitment to teaching and research in religious studies. She will attend Claremont University graduate school in the fall to purse a Master’s degree.
Jody and Dr. Jacquelyn Kegley
Outstanding Graduate in Sociology
Maria Lopez
While attending high school, Maria made the decision to do well academically so she could go to college. While her road to college took a few unexpected turns, Maria enrolled at Bakersfield College in Fall 2005 and was on her way to achieving her goal of a college degree. After transferring to CSUB, Maria continued to be a dedicated student while working full time to support herself. Her belief that children need extra attention and help from the community in order to achieve their full potential led Maria to volunteer at Harding Elementary School helping children learn to read. She also volunteers at St. Vincent de Paul, a non profit organization dedicated to helping those in need, specifically feeding and clothing the homeless Maria is the first in her family to graduate from college. She will enroll in the Master’s in Social Work Program this fall.
Maria and Dr. Edna Molina
Outstanding Graduate in Spanish
Yessica Garcia
While working on her bachelor’s degree in Spanish, Yessica has been active in Hermes Club. She has published works and assisted in editing the club’s journal. In addition to school, Yessica works part time at Arvin High School as a teacher’s assistant through Mini Corp. She also teaches at her church and volunteers her time at other local schools. The first in her family to graduate from college, Yessica has been a great role model for her younger sister who also attends CSUB. Yessica plans to obtain her teaching credential and teach at the high school level. Her long-range goal is to go to graduate school to earn a Master’s degree in Spanish.
Yessica and Dr. Helia Corral
Dean's Awards for Outstanding Papers
Outstanding
Humanities Paper
Daniel Sexton
Mexico for the Mexicans: The 1938 Oil Expropriation
Daniel was interested in how the Americans and particularly the British
reacted to the Mexican nationalism of its petroleum in 1938. His
research involved extensive investigation into U.S., Mexican, and
British government publications and media sources. He not only was able
to find sources in foreign and on-line archives and websites, but he was
able to bring them to a level of analysis and synthesis worthy of a
doctoral student.
Outstanding Graduate Paper
Peter Parra
A School, a Sign,
and a Word Called “Survivance”: The Sherman Experience
Sherman Indian High School in Riverside, California is
the only federally funded off-reservation Native American high school in
the state. Originally called the Sherman Institute, the school opened in
1902 with a focus on assimilation and vocational training. Until 1968,
the Bureau of Indian Affairs controlled the school and limited the
influence of students, parents, and the Native American communities. In
1968, Senator Robert Kennedy visited the school and the subsequent
“Kennedy Report” forever changed the direction of the school,
reflecting to a much greater degree the values of the community it
served. In 1969, the school became known as Sherman Indian High School
and continues to operate under that name.
Peter and Dr. Alicia Rodriguez
Awards of Excellence
Betty B. Albright Award in Sociology
Megan Madding
Mrs. Albright was a sociologist who served the people of Kern County for 22 years as a social worker and social services supervisor. She believed in higher education, the value of hard work, and the need to be self-reliant and responsible. Her family established this award in her honor to help students who exemplify those values.
Megan and Dr. Janet Armentor-Cota
Clio Award in History
Johnathan Michael Jensen
Determined by a consensus among history department faculty, the Clio Award is annually awarded to the senior history student who has an exceptional GPA in the major (with rare exception a minimum 3.5) and who has impressed faculty with his or her ability to articulate historical ideas and to demonstrate originality or independence of thought, both in class discussions and on written assignments.
Charles Kegley Award in Philosophy & Religious Studies
Alyssa Wolfer
This award was established in honor of Charles Kegley, Founding Chair of the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies and is awarded to majors who have exhibited intellectual commitment to the study of philosophy or religion and commitment to quality scholarship.
Alyssa and Dr. Christoper Meyers
Psi Chi
Award in Psychology
Laura Elizabeth O'Neal
The Psi Chi Award was developed by the Department of Psychology at CSUB to honor students who best exemplify the qualities of honor, academic excellence, and service. Students who receive this award have outstanding academic records, made valuable contributions to psychological research and practice, and have performed important service to their local community, university, and chapter.
Laura and Dr. Anne Duran
Thomas
Watts Peace Foundation Award
in Political Science
and History
Thomas Kimbrell
Dr. Watts was Founding Dean of the School of Behavioral Sciences when the university first opened. He was an active participant in the International Values Project, which conducted cross-cultural research of citizen attitudes in a diversity of nations. Dr. Watts’ family established this award to honor his world view.
Thomas and Dr. Stanley Clark
Graduating Fine Arts Merit Award Scholar
Anchored by a founding gift from Curtis and Peggy Darling, the Fine Arts Merit Award Scholarship Program is funded by private donors. Known as “FAMAS,” the program provides $5,000 scholarships to first-time freshmen from Kern County High Schools based on outstanding achievement in the arts.
Daniel Benjamin
Musquez
Music Major
Sponsored by the
Jazz Festival Scholarship
Daniel and Professors Jim Scully and Doug Davis
Graduating Merit Award Scholars
The Merit Award Scholarship Program is funded by donations from local businesses and individuals. These $5,000 scholarships are awarded to first-time freshmen from Kern County High Schools. Recipients are chosen solely on academic achievement and must meet the following criteria: Minimum grade point average of 3.8; SAT score of 1150 or ACT score of 26; major in a discipline offered by Humanities and Social Sciences or Natural Sciences and Mathematics.
Kelli Kristin
Groves
Liberal Studies Major
Sponsored by the
Dr. Ray Geigle Endowment
Kelli and Drs. Michael Flachmann and Stanely Clark
Jody
Lynne Staller
Religious Studies
Major
Sponsored by Kern Schools Federal Credit Union
Jody and Mr. Vincent Rojas and Dr. Jacquelyn Kegley