CSU Monterey Bay kicked off the spring semester on Jan. 25 with a staff and faculty appreciation breakfast, and even a massive snowstorm didn’t derail the event.

President Eduardo Ochoa and Provost Bonnie Irwin were forced to miss the breakfast when their flights were cancelled due to the storm that hit Washington, D.C., where they were attending an academic conference. Other administrations filled in and the breakfast went on as planned.

Honorees include:

ACADEMIC AFFAIRS 5 years • Naseem Badiey, Social, Behavioral & Global Studies • Jennifer Benge, Cinematic Arts & Technology • John Cusick, Social, Behavioral & Global Studies • Jason Filice, Technology Support Services • Joseph Haselton, College of Business • Annette LeTourneau, Liberal Studies • Andrew Walling, Network Services • Heather Wilde, Psychology

10 years • Jennifer Bliss, Sponsored Programs • Haven Brearton, Health, Human Services & Public Policy

• Irene Casas-Ruiz, World Languages & Cultures

• Elizabeth MacDonald, Technology Support Services

• Jacinto Salazar III, Center for Advising, Career and Student Success

• Monica Soto, Academic Skills Achievement Program

• Mary Jo Zenk, Institute for Innovation & Economic Development 15 years • William Jones, Liberal Studies

• Lianne Minemoto, Conference & Event Services

• Ann Riley, Social, Behavioral & Global Studies 20 years• Susan Alexander, Science & Environmental Policy

• Jeffrey Froshman, College of Business

• Lilly Martinez, Psychology • Martha Strolle, World Languages & Cultures

ADMINISTRATION & FINANCE 5 years • Andrea Olsen, Payroll Services

10 years • Michael Lerch, Facilities Services & Operations

• Abe Pedroza, Accounting

15 years • Patrick “Andy” Sierra, Plant Operations

20 years • Timothy Riggs, Plant Operations

UNIVERSITY CORPORATION 5 years • Joseph Chiappa, Student Housing & Residential Life

• Lamberto Figueroa, Early Outreach & Support Programs

10 years • Gayleene Badiango-Rullan, Student Housing & Residential Life

• Victor Salas, University Corporation Accounting

15 years • Natasha Oehlman, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Center

STUDENT AFFAIRS & ENROLLMENT SERVICES 5 years• Jasmine Alcones, Admissions

10 years • Monyca Drone, Campus Service Center

• Maria Angeles Fuentes, Financial Aid

• Fernanda Vazquez, Financial Aid

UNIVERSITY DEVELOPMENT 5 years • Clarisa Avila, Corporation and Foundation Relations

PRESIDENT’S OFFICE 5 years • Natalie Lockwood, University Personnel

10 years • Laura Tantillo, University Personnel

Faculty honorees • Enid Ryce, CSUMB’s nominee for the Wang Family Excellence Award in Visual and Performing Arts and Letters • Yoshiko Saito-Abbott, the campus nominee for the U.S. Professor of the Year Award from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE)

Reading remarks prepared by Dr. Irwin, Dean Ilene Feinman told the group that everyone plays an important role in helping students succeed and thrive “whether you see students every day or not. Some of you rarely see a student, yet the work you do allows that student to get their classes, access the Internet, have a place to live and learn, see a concert, pay their bill, work out an academic or personal problem.”

Kevin Saunders, vice president for Administration and Finance and head of the University Corporation, reminded the gathering “my groups are the unsung heroes. They’re behind the scenes, but they keep the university humming.” He was referring to the campus police department, parking, facilities, campus planning and development, payroll, housing and dining services, among others.

VP for Student Affairs and Enrollment Services Ronnie Higgs sounded a similar theme. “When we do our jobs well in Student Affairs, you don’t hear about us,” he said. Among the offices he mentioned were the Campus Service Center, Financial Aid, Student Conduct and the Dean of Students.

Barbara Zappas, vice president for development, shared that her division brought in over $5 million in philanthropic support in the last year, a 25 percent increase.

Andre Lewis, associate vice president for University Affairs, brought the breakfast to a close. “I hope that each of you can find a little time in your busy day to reach out to a colleague who is doing good work, and tell him or her that those efforts are appreciated,” he said.

Published Jan. 25, 2016