School of Humanities & Social Sciences
Honors Convocation
June 4, 2008

Liane and Dr. Stephen Frye.

Outstanding Graduating Senior of the School
Outstanding Graduate in English
Liane Kleinschmit

Liane is completing her degree in English with a near-perfect GPA of 3.96.  A student at CSUB’s Antelope Valley campus, Liane is described by her professors as one of the best writers they’ve had – brilliant, sophisticated, and rhetorically elegant. In addition to her studies, Liane finds time to be actively involved in campus activities. She served as a writing tutor and participated in English club activities, and as part of her world mythology course, helped lead a tour for English students of the Getty Villa. Liane plans to earn a master’s degree in English and pursue a career in non-fiction editing and publishing.

Outstanding Graduate in Art
Andrea Gonzalez

Andrea says that from the age of eleven, her goal has been to be a film maker. Since CSUB doesn’t have a film making program, she studied art to build a foundation and portfolio for her eventual move to a graduate program in filmmaking. Andrea has participated in the Fine Arts Committee’s Taste of the Arts efforts to bring awareness to young people by demonstrating her skills throwing pottery and interacting with campus visitors. Before attending graduate school to earn a Master of Fine Arts in cinema, Andrea plans to work or intern at a production company or other professional film industry setting to expand the breadth of her applied knowledge.

Andrea and Professor George Ketterl.

Outstanding Graduate in Communications
Samuel McGauhey

A graduate of Bakersfield High School, Samuel transferred to CSUB in January 2007 after attending Bakersfield College and Moorpark College. In his work towards a degree in communications, Samuel conducted research on the impact of file sharing technology on the entertainment industry and identifying how alternative business models can profit from such technology. He also researched the evidence of gender and race bias in popular entertainment, hip-hop music, and television shows such as Lost. Samuel is a member of Alpha Chi Honor Society and Lamda Pi Eta, the national communications honor society. He plans to pursue a master’s degree at a later date, but his immediate plans are to enter a two-year volunteer program with the Peace Corps in Central or South America.

Samuel and Professor Judith Pratt.

Outstanding Graduate in History
Ryker Solano

Since coming to CSUB to complete a bachelor’s degree in history, Ryker has demonstrated a passion for history. In senior seminar which focused on public history, Ryker used the opportunity to delve into local history.  He researched the early years of his alma mater, Bakersfield High School, when it was Kern County Union High School. Ryker also holds the distinction of being the first student ever to earn a perfect score on Dr. Douglas Dodd’s historic preservation policy and historic architecture quiz. Ryker is a member of Phi Alpha Theta, the history honor society, and the History Club.

Ryker and Dr. Mark Baker.

Outstanding Graduate in Liberal Studies
Noemi Alcala

Noemi is completing her degree in liberal studies with a concentration in child development in only three years. She served as curriculum coordinator for Art 302, Art in the Elementary Classroom, and Art 402, Crafts in Art Education, and she researched and presented her findings on teacher performance expectations for art education in the elementary school.  In addition, Noemi supervised future teacher candidates at Ronald Reagan Elementary school and volunteered as a tutor in math and English at Casa Loma Elementary school. Noemi will complete her preliminary teaching credential at CSUB in winter quarter 2009 and plans to pursue a masters in educational administration with the goal of becoming a principal.

Noemi and Ms. Angelica Vasquez.

Outstanding Graduate in Music
Catherine Register

Catherine’s professors describe her stage presence as delightful.  With the skill to perform in multiple languages, her talent has been showcased in numerous opera productions including the lead in Little Red Riding Hood, Cherubino in Marriage of Figaro, and in the musical The Boyfriend.  Catherine is a leader in CSUB’s choral groups and performs with both the University Singers and Chamber Singers. Catherine is completing her bachelor’s degree in music with BA a concentration in music education, and she plans to enter the teaching credential program at CSUB in the fall.

Catherine and Professor Peggy Sears.

Outstanding Graduate in Philosophy
James Brannen

Before starting college at the age of 24, James was a United States Marine and served in the Iraq war.  After enrolling at CSUB to earn a degree in Philosophy, James devoted in addition to  working 20 to 35 hours a week and raising two children. James is a member of Alpha Chi honor society, served as vice president of the Philosophy and Religious Studies Club, volunteered at the California Living Museum, and completed an internship at the public defenders office. James has been accepted to ten law school programs, two of which have offered him full scholarships, but James’ first choice is UC Davis.

James and Dr. Debra Jackson.

Outstanding Graduate in Political Science
Malori Musselman

A first generation university student, Malori is completing her degree in political science in just three years, sometimes carrying up to 25 units per quarter while working full time. She is a member of Pi Sigma Alpha, the political science honor society. Malori completed an internship with First Five Kern, an organization which provides health and educational programs for children under the age of five. After graduation, Malori hopes to secure a full-time position with First Five Kern, and she hopes to attend graduate school to further her studies in political science and public policy.

Malori and Professor Kent Price.

Outstanding Graduate in Psychology
Calvin Fields

After completing a course with Dr. Isabel Sumaya, Calvin began working in her lab and later joined her team of student researchers. In 2006, he attended the 36th Annual meeting for the Society for Neuroscience in Atlanta, Georgia. He was third author on the project presented, the effects of fluoxetine and the FHT3 antagonist, ondansetron in an animal model of depression in rats kept on a high fat diet. In addition to being the first paper on which Calvin was an author, he presented it at a meeting geared for post doctorates and doctorates. He performed wonderfully, addressing the questions of MDs and PhDs and drug company researchers. Calvin is a member of Psi Chi, served as a teaching assistant in numerous psychology courses, and was a tutor at the tutoring center. Calvin will start the master’s program in psychology at CSUB in the fall. 

Calvin and Dr. Isabel Sumaya

Outstanding Graduate in Religious Studies
Armida Byler

Armida’s professors are most impressed by her intellectual growth as a student. She has done extensive work in classical languages. While at CSUB, she has studied Greek, Coptic, and Latin, earning As in all of her language courses.  As a McNair Scholar, Armida conducted research on women in early Christian monasticism, and she will present the results of this work at the Saint Shenoute Coptic Society Conference at UCLA this summer. Armida was accepted to the first annual Diversity and Exploration Program at Harvard University, a week-long visit to the university. Born in Mexico, Armida is the first in her family to graduate from college. She plans to pursue a Ph.D. in religious studies and has applied to Harvard, GTU and UC Santa Barbara.

Armida and Dr. Tim Vivian

Outstanding Graduate in Sociology
Jennifer Wilson-Leer

A graduate of Burroughs High School, Jennifer attended Cerro Cosso Community College before transferring to CSUB in Fall 2006.  Hard-working, deeply analytical, and thoughtful are terms used to describe Jennifer’s academic career.  With superior critical thinking abilities, her research projects have been outstanding, in both lab-based and original empirical research. Jennifer participated Club Soc activities and was a leader in a collaborative learning project.  Jennifer plans to enter the master’s program in sociology at CSUB in the fall.

Jennifer and Dr. Vandana Kohli.

Outstanding Graduate in Spanish
Jose Viramontes

Jose is completing a double major in Spanish and Liberal Studies. Born in Mexico, he moved to the United States at age fifteen, and he learned English quickly.  After graduating Delano High School, Jose attended Bakersfield College where he belonged to the Future Teachers Club.  The first in his family to attend college, Jose is a role-model for his three younger brothers – he has inspired all three to attend college after high school. Jose is a member of Kappa Delta Pi Foundation and Sigma Delta Pi the Spanish honor society.  He plans to enter the single subject credential program and pursue a career in teaching.

Jose and Dr. Jose Reyna.

Outstanding Graduate in Theatre
Tiffany Pounds

While completing her degree in theatre at CSUB, Tiffany has been active both on and off stage.  For her senior project, Tiffany directed two one-act plays, Captive Audience a stylized comedy, and Dancing with the Devil, an intense picture of an abused woman. Her ability to stage two such different types of plays speaks to her abilities as a director. Tiffany designed two Theatre for Youth touring productions, Wiley and the Hairyman and Skupper-Duppers.  In addition, Tiffany was a technical assistant in the scene shop for three years, master electrician for 'Tis Pity She’s a Whore, and stage manager for Theatre of New Voices. Tiffany will attend Emerson College in Boston to pursue a master of arts degree in theatre education, and she plans to teach theatre at the college level.

Tiffany and Professor Chris Eicher.

Dean's awards for outstanding papers

Outstanding Social Sciences Paper
Thomas Kimbrall

Modern Presidential Power: Moving Toward a Unitary Executive -- Thomas’ paper provides a sweeping review of presidential power over the past 150 years. Moving past general statements of presidential power granted by the Constitution, Thomas discusses how presidential power has expanded because of the increased role of the president in American politics since the rise of industrialization. More recently, presidential power has been expanded during the Bush administration as President Bush has claimed war time powers, used signing statements, issued executive orders, and made a claim to “unitary executive” authority that Constitutional scholars claim do not exist, but which the Bush administration has used often since 9/11. Thomas’ paper captures these developments and asks what this means for America, our Constitution, and future presidents.

      Thomas and Dr. Stanley Clark.

Outstanding Graduate Paper
Mark Wilson

Othello and Mistaken Self-Identity -- Carefully researched and brilliantly written, Mark’s paper on Othello examines the play through the lens of self-fashioning, in which the author sees Shakespeare's tragic hero as a victim of his own struggle to create an acceptable self-image as an 'other' in white society – a metaphoric disguise that permits him access to the Venetian world of wealth and privilege. Mark chronicles how Iago rewrites Othello's narrative to place him outside the limits of society, thereby creating a displacement resulting in Desdemona’s death and Othello’s suicide. The paper argues that Shakespeare appears to call for a stronger sense of racial tolerance through the play, even within the limited cultural confines of his own era.

          Mark and Dr. Michael Flachmann.

Outstanding Graduate Thesis
Dee Bailey

The Effects of the 5HT3 Agonist, 2-Methyl-5HT, and the 5HT3 Receptor Antagonist, Onansetron, in an Animal Model of Depression and Anxiety in Rats on a High Fat Diet -- Using an animal model of depression, Dee’s project investigated the behavioral effects of a high-fat diet in rats treated with serotonin agonists and antagonists.  As a precursor to his thesis project, Dee first showed that rats fed a high-fat diet and then treated with Prozac showed a higher level of depressive-like behavior. Dee’s thesis represents a follow-up to that original finding. He found that other drugs similar to Prozac show the same negative interaction with a high-fat diet.  Additionally, he is the first to report an antidepressant effect in rats for the 5HT3 agonist, 2-Methyl-5-HT. Dee’s work provides insight into the possible negative interaction between our human diet and antidepressant use.

               Dee and Dr. Isabel Sumaya.

Awards of excellence

Betty B. Albright Award in Sociology
Carolene Bobo

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.

Carolene and Dr. Vandana Kohli.

Clio Award in History
Madeline Newberry

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.

Madeline and Dr. Jeanne Harrie.

Orpheus is an annual literary journal produced by California State University, Bakersfield featuring short stories, poems, paintings, and other creative works.  Founded in 1975, Orpheus has published the works of more than 2,500 students, a number of whom have become national award-winning novelists, poets, and playwrights. This award is presented in recognition of exceptional creative achievement.

Jacen and Dr. Andy Troup.

Jonathan and Dr. Andy Troup.

Psi Chi Award in Psychology
Toshia Goland

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.

Toshia and Dr. Tanya Boone.

Thomas Watts Peace Foundation Award
in Political Science & History
Grace Diaz

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.

Grace and Professor Kent Price.

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.

Danielle with Castle & Cooke representative Renee Massey (left) and Dr. Tanya Boone.

Madeline and Dr. Jeanne Harrie.

Hawk honors program graduates