Alumni Hall of Fame 2014 Inductees

Audrey Cochran, MS Nursing 1990

Cochran was the second person to receive a Master's of Science Degree in nursing from CSUB. She is a nationally certified continence care nurse and a clinical specialist in gerontological nursing. She is passionate about geriatric care and has contributed to the community since 1990 through her private practice as a family elder care consultant and manager of a continence rehabilitation program for a local gynecology practice. Her articles on this subject have been published in professional journals and specialty newsletters. Cochran is a widely recognized speaker at community groups and national conferences about the rights of the elderly. Cochran has received numerous awards for her work with the elderly including the Kern Community Foundation Woman Defining Philanthropy Award of 2008. In addition, in 2006 she became the first CSUB alumna to receive the President's Medal.

At age 80, Ms. Cochran lives the philosophy she shares with her clients; she stays active and engaged. She is an active member of organizations such as Sigma Theta Tau, the nursing honorary, National Pro-Life Nurses, and the National Gerontological Nursing Association. Cochran serves as the volunteer parish nurse for Westminster Presbyterian Church. In addition, Cochran continues to be involved with CSUB in many ways. Most notably, she established the Robert and Edith Cochran Endowed Chair for Gerontological Nursing in 2006 to create a comprehensive curriculum in gerontological nursing, and also endowed the annual Cochran Continence Scholarship for nursing students.

Lynne Hall, MA & Credential in Counseling 1978

Hall received her Master of Arts Degree from CSUB in 1978 in Counseling and Personnel Services and her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Southern California in 1989. She is a licensed Psychologist and Marriage and Family Therapist. Hall is now retired from her most recent career role as Dean of Bakersfield College (BC). Prior to her retirement, she served in various capacities at BC including: Faculty; Counselor and Director of the Extended Opportunity Program and Services; and Director of Career Development and Workforce Preparation. Hall was also Dean of Instruction and Economic and Workforce Development at BC and has held two interim administrative positions since her retirement.

Throughout Hall's career, she has been very active in her community, consulting with nonprofits and the private sector organizations to provide training in workplace communication, goal setting, and leadership development. She has been active in the Bakersfield Rotary Club since its chartering, and has served on the Board of Directors at the Bakersfield Arts Council, and has consulted with St. John's Lutheran School. Hall also served on the Board of Directors of the CSUB Alumni Association from 1990 to 1992 and won the Outstanding Alumni Award from the CSUB School of Education in 1985.

John Nilon, BA Political Science 1979; MPA 1988

Nilon is currently the Kern County Administrative Officer, and recently served as the Interim Chief Executive Officer of Kern Medical Center. In his current role, Nilon is responsible for duties such as administering a $2.6 billion dollar budget, countywide policy development, property management, public works, and information technology. Prior to this position, Nilon has served as the Director of Kern County's Department of Public Health, Director of the Kern County Department of Child Support Services, and the Executive Director of Employers Training Resource. He has directed the implementation of several strategic performance improvement strategies, leading to performance improvement in each of his assignments. Additionally, Nilon has been the author of weekly and monthly columns in local newspapers and magazines, has been a featured guest expert on TV news and radio shows.

Nilon's work and community involvement has been recognized with many awards, including the Innovation Award of the Child Abuse Prevention Council, Regional Award of Merit for Distinguished Leadership in Public Government by the Kern Council of Governments, and the John W. Doubenmier Excellence in Public Service Award from the American Society for Public Administration. Nilon also remains very involved with CSUB activities and organizations, and was named Outstanding Alumni for the CSUB School of Business and Public Administration in 1990.

Russell Judd, Master of Science Healthcare Administration 1992

Judd was recently named Chief Executive Officer at Kern Medical Center (KMC). This is where Judd started his healthcare administration career as an administrative intern while attending CSUB. He later served on several administrative positions at KMC before becoming president of Barstow Community Hospital. He then moved out of state where he served as president of Payson Regional Medical Center in Arizona, followed by president of Berwick Hospital Center in Pennsylvania. Judd returned to Bakersfield in April 2004 where he served as Dignity Health's Mercy Hospitals of Bakersfield until his recent appointment at KMC.

Judd serves in various community organizations, including Fellow of the American College of Health Care Executives, Chair of the Kern County Chapter of the American Red Cross, board member of the Hospital Council of Northern & Central California, and Governing Council of the Bakersfield area Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Judd has also served as a Boy Scouts committee member and a Special Olympics coach. Judd also continues to be involved with CSUB and was recently appointed to serve on a new university organization made up of industry and education professionals who are alumni of CSUB.