Sept. 20, 2010 - On Tuesday, Sept. 21, one of CSUB's most exuberant students, Tyree A. Boyd-Pates, will be honored along with one student from each of the 22 other campuses in the CSU system with the prestigious William R. Hearst/CSU Trustees' Award for Outstanding Achievement. The Trustees will honor the students at the Chancellor's Office in Long Beach.

The Hearst/CSU Trustees' award is given to students who have demonstrated financial need, experienced personal hardships, and have attributes such as superior academic performance, exemplary community service and significant personal achievements. The award is among the highest forms of recognition for student achievement in the CSU and comes with a $3,000 scholarship.

"These extraordinary student scholars exemplify strength, perseverance through adversity, dedication to learning and commitment to others," said Ali C. Razi, CSU trustee emeritus. "The leadership through service demonstrated by these scholars inspires deep respect on CSU campuses and within the community."

Tyree is known at CSUB for his incredible energy and passion when it comes to inspiring young people to attend college. As a student ambassador in the university's Outreach Office, he visits high schools, gives campus tours, and serves as master of ceremonies during freshmen orientations.

"For a lot of people, I'm the face of CSUB," Tyree said. "I enjoy how much of an impact I can have on young people. I say, 'If I can get here, you definitely can get here.'"

There was a time when Tyree wasn't sure if he'd ever make it to college. Raised by his grandmother since he was three days old, he grew up in a low-income neighborhood of Los Angeles. His grades were dismal in high school. But then he became involved in the higher learning ministry at his church, West Angeles Church of God in Christ, where he found out about CSUB's Educational Opportunity Program (EOP). CSUB accepted him to its Summer Bridge program and Tyree did not disappoint.

"I made a pact with myself and said I won't take this opportunity in vain. I made it my mission to succeed," he said.

When his birth mother passed away during his freshman year, he nearly dropped out of school. But he remembered his mission - and the words of his mother.

"In our last conversation, she told me to keep doing what I was doing. I internalized what she said and ran with it. She's my motivation," he said.

Tryee is a senior at CSUB, studying communications with an emphasis in public relations and a minor in African American studies. He acts in theatrical productions, is vice president of Black Men on Campus, and volunteers on weekends teaching computer literacy to at-risk youth. He also maintains a 3.40 GPA.

The presentation of the William R. Hearst/CSU Trustees' Awards for Outstanding Achievement will take place at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 21, at Dumke Auditorium, 401 Golden Shore, Long Beach.