Top Dog 2003

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media CONTACT: Tom Uribes

Oct. 22, 2003

(559) 278-5366 or 246-1717

Former Amazon.com Exec Joy Covey To
Get Fresno State’s Top Alumni Honor Oct. 30

Eleven Outstanding Alumni named; Sister Ruth Nickerson to

Receive Safstrom Award; Special Guest Evelyn Husband

Joy Covey, former chief financial officer of Amazon.com, will receive California State University, Fresno’s Distinguished Alumna Award and Evelyn Husband, widow of the late Colonel Rick Husband, will speak at the Top Dog Alumni Awards Gala on Thursday, Oct. 30.

The Distinguished Alumna Award is the highest honor given by the university’s Alumni Association, which this year observes the 50^th anniversary of the founding of a top alumni award.

The Top Dog event will be at 5:30 p.m. in the Save Mart Center and will include the presentation of the Arthur Safstrom Service Award to Sister Ruth Marie Nickerson, who has provided various support to the university.

The 2003 Outstanding Alumni Award will also be presented to 10 alumni — one from each of the eight academic school/colleges as well as the Division of Student Affairs and the Athletics Department — who will be honored for making a difference in their community and in their profession.

Star Trek actor Robert Beltran is among the 2003 alumni who will be honored at the 50th annual event that will help christen the new Save Mart Center.

The other outstanding alumni this year are Laura Berg, Robert Coyle, Octavia Dienier, Alan Dorfmeier, Donna Hudson, Jean-Mari Peltier, Karen A. Pendleton, Richard A. Shehadey and Jeff Tedford (Full bios and college/school awarding are available upon request or at www.FresnoStateNews.com).

Evelyn Husband, widow of Colonel Rick Husband who died in the Space Shuttle Columbia tragedy last February, will be present for a special tribute to her late husband.

A 1990 graduate of Fresno State, Husband was commander of the Columbia when it was lost upon re-entry into earth’s atmosphere on Feb. 1 after a 16-day mission. Mrs. Husband will accept the 2002 Outstanding Alumnus Award from the College of Engineering and Computer Science that Fresno State awarded him last year. He was unable to attend because he was in training.

The association has been honoring a distinguished alumnus since 1953 when Robert Greelis, Class of ’39, was the first honoree. In 1994, the association established the individual college/school outstanding alumni awards.

Other recipients of the top alumni honor have included U.S. Secretary of Treasury Paul O'Neill; California Secretary of State Bill Jones; the late journalist H. Roger Tatarian Houston Mayor Lee “Pat” Brown; the late Sen. Ken Maddy; the legendary coach and educator Cornelius A. “Dutch” Warmerdam; and former US ambassador and publisher Philip Sanchez as well as numerous local leaders.

Dr. John D. Welty, said he is “proud to share in the success of many of our students who have moved on to accomplished careers as authors, politicians, artists, educators, business leaders, athletes, engineers, scientists and health-care providers.”

“This success reflects and inspires each individual who received his or her education at Fresno State,” Welty said. “As our noted alumni, they are our finest ambassadors, leaders and role models for our students and for our society at large.”

Welty and Ken Campbell, president of the Fresno State Alumni Association, will present the awards along with the deans from each of the colleges and schools.

Joy Covey is the President of the Beagle Foundation, a private foundation focusing on the environment. In addition, she is a member of the board of directors of JetBlue Airways and a trustee of the Santa Fe Institute.

Covey joined Amazon.com in December of 1996 as chief financial officer (CFO) and vice president of finance and administration. In September of 1999, she became chief strategy officer until beginning a sabbatical at the end of 1999.

When Covey arrived at Amazon.com in 1996, the company employed approximately 150 people and had sold $16 million books to 180,000 customers. By the end of 1999, Amazon.com had grown to a $2.5 billion sales rate and served 17 million customers. Covey was an integral member of the leadership, recruiting and company-building team during this period, with primary responsibility for capital raising, investment community relationships and communications.

In 1999, Fortune magazine honored Covey as one of the 50 Most Powerful Business Women in America. In 2000, the World Economic Forum selected her as one of 100 "Global Leaders for Tomorrow.” The Forum of Women Entrepreneurs honored her in 2002 with its Entrepreneurial Achievement Award.

In 1990, Covey was awarded her juris doctorate degree magna cum laude from Harvard Law School, and an MBA from Harvard Business School where she was a Baker Scholar (both degrees awarded 1990).

Her BS in business administration was awarded summa cum laude from California State University, Fresno. Covey was placed second in the U.S. out of 73,000 people sitting for the CPA exam in November 1982.

Since leaving Amazon.com in 2000, Covey has focused her time on family, travel and outdoor interests in addition to her board and committee activities. She lives with her husband Lee Gerstein, and Lee’s two sons, Evan (15) and Isaac (13), in Park City, Utah.

Master of Ceremonies for this year’s Top Dog gala will be the Hon. Robert Oliver, Fresno County Superior Court judge,who is a 1966 Fresno State graduate.

Tickets are $75 per person, $750 for a table of ten, $1,000 sponsorship (includes a table of eight with two seats for student scholarship recipients). The deadline to purchase tickets is Friday, Oct. 24.

For more information or to purchase tickets contact Leticia Reyna at (559) 278.2586.

Joy D. Covey

2003 Distinguished Alumna

She joined Amazon.com in December of 1996 as chief financial officer (CFO) and vice president of finance and administration. In September of 1999, Joy became chief strategy officer until beginning a sabbatical at the end of 1999.

When Joy arrived at Amazon.com in 1996, the company employed approximately 150 people and had sold $16 million books to 180,000 customers. By the end of 1999, Amazon.com had grown to a $2.5 billion sales rate and served 17 million customers. Joy was an integral member of the leadership, recruiting and company-building team during this period, with primary responsibility for capital raising, investment community relationships and communications.

In 1999, Fortune magazine honored Joy as one of the 50 Most Powerful Business Women in America. In 2000, the World Economic Forum selected Joy as one of one hundred "Global Leaders for Tomorrow.” The Forum of Women Entrepreneurs honored Joy in 2002 with its Entrepreneurial Achievement Award.

Joy earned her JD degree magna cum laude from Harvard Law School, and an MBA from Harvard Business School where she was a Baker Scholar (both degrees awarded 1990). Her BS in business administration was awarded summa cum laude from California State University, Fresno. Joy was placed second in the U.S. out of 73,000 people sitting for the CPA exam in November 1982.

Since leaving Amazon.com in 2000, Joy has focused her time on family, travel and outdoor interests in addition to her board and committee activities. Joy lives with her husband Lee Gerstein, and Lee’s two sons, Evan (15) and Isaac (13), and their yellow lab Dusty in Park City, Utah.

Jean-Mari Peltier

2003 Outstanding Alumna – College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology

Jean-Mari Peltier graduated summa cum laude from California State University, Fresno with a degree in agriculture communications in 1976.

Jean-Mari represented the California Citrus Quality Council, serving as its president from 1999 to 2001. In 1996, she was appointed by Governor Pete Wilson as chief deputy director in the department of Pesticide Regulation for the California Environmental Protection Agency. In addition, Jean-Mari represented California on the implementation of Food Quality Protection Act through the Tolerance Reassessment Advisory Committee and represented the state at the Pesticide Harmonization Negotiations under the North America Free Trade Agreement.

Jean-Mari’s experience also includes time as the executive director of the California Pear Advisory Board and the president of the California Pear Growers Association. She was a senior policy analyst in the office of Governor Deukmejian for the California State World Trade Commission and a legislative assistant for Congressman Tony Coelho where she worked on agriculture and interior issues. Prior to joining the Congressman’s staff, Jean-Mari was the director of Public and Government Relations for the California Grape and Tree Fruit League.

In 2001, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency administrator Christie Todd Whitman tapped Jean-Mari to be the counselor to the Administrator on Agriculture Policy. In this position she ensures that concerns of agriculture are known by those making important decisions about how best to protect our natural resources. Jean-Mari serves as the central contact for the EPA’s cooperation with the USDA in matters of joint policy, including pesticide issues.

Robert Beltran

2003 Outstanding Alumnus – College of Arts and Humanities

Robert Beltran was born and raised in Bakersfield, California. His love for acting began in elementary school and his passion has flourished throughout the years into an impressive list of credits.

Robert’s extensive theater background includes performances in “A Midsummer Night's Dream,” and “Hamlet” for the California Shakespeare Festival. He has worked with El Teatro Campesino, the theater company of famed writer/director Luis Valdez, where he appeared in “Corridos,” and “Rose of the Rancho.” At the Los Angeles Theater Center, Beltran performed to critical acclaim in the Luis Valdez play, “I Don’t Have to Show You No Stinkin' Badges.”

His feature film credits include a critically acclaimed performance in “Eating Raoul,” plus leading roles in “Gaby” and “Kiss Me a Killer.” He also starred in “Scenes from the Class Struggle in Beverly Hills” and portrayed John Sturges in Oliver Stone's “Nixon.” In 1999, Robert starred with Cheech Marin and Scott Bakula in the film “Luminarias.”

Robert is most known for his role of Chakotay, the fearless first officer on “Star Trek: Voyager.” His television performances include the lead role in HBO's "Midnight Caller" and the ABC mini-series "The Mystic Warrior." He has also guest starred on numerous programs including Lois & Clark: the New Adventures of Superman, Miami Vice and Murder, She Wrote.

Robert is the founding member and co-artistic director of the East Los Angeles Classic Theater Group.

Web Links:

http://www.robertbeltran.com/pages/1/index.htm

http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Labyrinth/7683/robert.html

Richard A. Shehadey

2003 Outstanding Alumnus – Craig School of Business

Beginning as a young man in high school, Richard Shehadey worked for Producers Dairy Foods, Inc. He milked cows, operated the processing equipment and loaded trucks. Richard later worked in the sales department running routes and was controller where he worked for a number of years until he was promoted to his current position as president and general manager.

Richard graduated from California State University, Fresno in 1965 with a degree in Business Administration. He has served as past president of the 20–30 Club of Fresno and the All Star Dairy Association. He has also been a board member for the Boy Scouts of America and the Red Cross.

Richard currently serves as a member of the Dairy Council of California, the State Center Community College Foundation, Downtown Fresno Rotary, the Fresno Chamber of Commerce and as a board member of Children’s Hospital of Central California.

Richard is married to Sue and together they have four sons, Kevin, Richie, Scott and, Brett and four grandchildren.

Octavia Diener

2003 Outstanding Alumna – Kremen School of Education and Human Development

Octavia Diener graduated from California State University, Fresno in 1962 with a degree in education. Originally a school teacher, Octavia entered the business world when she became a single parent of three. In 1986, she operated Densmore Engines, a production and engine manufacturing company located in Fresno and in Sacramento.

Octavia recently served as the co-chair of the Yes on Measure C campaign and serves on the board of directors for the Center for Advanced Research and Technology. In addition to Densmore Engines, she is president and owner of Tavie Farms, Inc., and a partner in BON investments and director of Five Points Ranch, Inc.

Octavia’s civic activities rival her entrepreneurial accomplishments. She served as chair of the State Transportation Commission and is active in Children’s Hospital of Central California and the California State University, Fresno Foundation. She is a former chair of the Fresno City/County Planning Commission, and the Fresno County Taxpayers Association and past president of the Greater Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce.

This year, Octavia is also the recipient of the 2003 Leon S. Peters award, which is given annually to an outstanding businessperson exemplifying integrity, commitment, and dedication to business and community organizations.

Octavia is married to Henry Barkett and they have three children, Christian, Matthew and Andrea and seven grandchildren

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Alan Dorfmeier

2003 Outstanding Alumnus – College of Engineering and Computer Science

Alan Dorfmeier is a fifth generation native of Fresno. He entered the world on October 10, 1947 at the Oakland Naval Hospital, the son of Lt. Glen Dorfmeier and his wife Elizabeth.

Alan grew up to be an Eagle Scout who worked as part of a mountain search and rescue team. He would later meet his wife Eileen in a college marching band and earn his

degree in civil engineering from Fresno State College in 1971. He worked for the US Forest Service and later a private construction company before going out on his own with colleague Pat Mauldin in 1983.

Two decades later, Mauldin-Dorfmeier Construction Inc., is a $100 million company. It’s hard to believe the employer of 250 workers began in a garage as a tiny mom-and-pop company. It was the dream of two guys who just wanted to make a living doing what they loved. Headquartered in Fresno, Mauldin-Dorfmeier works on public and private projects statewide. Mauldin-Dorfmeier has employed dozens of Fresno State graduates over the years.

The Mauldin-Dorfmeier recently was selected to design and build student housing for California State University, Stanislaus and the University of California, Merced.

Alan Dorfmeier says, “When you start small and grow the company yourself, you see where you’ve come from. You appreciate every detail and every person who makes up your organization. We are a team. It’s not a buzzword. It’s real.”

Alan Dorfmeier is the father of four and the grandfather of two. Together they spend time backpacking, skiing and sailing.

Cal Football coach Jeff Tedford Jeff Tedford

2003 Outstanding Alumnus – College of Health and Human Services

Jeff Tedford grew up in southern California. He played quarterback at Fresno State, setting career marks for passing yardage and touchdown passes. After earning his degree in physical education in 1983, he played pro football in Canada for six seasons.

Jeff’s coaching career began as a volunteer assistant at Fresno State in 1987. In 1989 he served as an offensive assistant with the Calgary Stampeders for three seasons and returned to Fresno State as a quarterback coach in 1992. At Fresno State, Jeff began honing the skills of future Super Bowl champion quarterback Trent Dilfer. From 1993 to 1997 Jeff served as the Bulldog’s offensive coordinator

In 1998 Jeff became the offensive coordinator for the Oregon Ducks. Under Jeff’s direction, the Duck’s posted the Pac-10’s best record in finishing progressively each year. The 2001 Pac-10 champions ranked second in rushing offense and third in both scoring and total offense.

Jeff joined Cal as their head football coach in 2002 and directed their first winning season in nine years and the nation’s biggest one-year turnaround. He was named 2002 Pacific-10 Conference Coach of the Year as voted by his fellow conference coaches.

Jeff and his wife Donna have two sons, Taylor (15) and Quinn (13). They currently reside in Danville, California.

Donna Hudson

2003 Outstanding Alumna – College of Science and Mathematics

Donna Hudson graduated from California State University, Fresno with bachelors and masters degrees in mathematics. She also received her teaching credential from Fresno State.

Donna began her career at the Boeing Company as an associate engineer. In 1975 she returned to the Valley and has been a lecturer for Information Systems/Decision Sciences at Fresno State. Since 1982 she has been a staff member of the University of California, San Francisco where she has held numerous positions, most recently Director of Office of Sponsored Projects and Research.

In 1985 Donna received the Best Paper Award from the American Association for Medical Systems and Informatics. In addition, her honor and awards include a Faculty Research Award from UCSF Fresno and a Distinguished Lecturer for the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers.

Donna has excelled in her profession, and has served her community in the following capacities: Vice-Chair for the Cancer Registry of Central California Advisory Board; President of l’Alliance Francaise de Fresno; a member of the External Advisory Committee for the Minority Biomedical Research Support Program in the College of Science and Mathematics at Fresno State.

Robert Coyle

2003 Outstanding Alumnus – College of Social Sciences

Robert Coyle graduated from California State University, Fresno in 1953 with a degree in political science. Following that, he graduated from the Hastings College of Law in 1956 and worked for the District Attorney.

In 1958, he entered private practice becoming a partner in the firm of McCormick, Barstow, Wayte and Carruth. He served as President of the Fresno County Bar Association in 1971 and later as a member of the board of directors of the California State Bar. Robert also served as the chair of the State Bar’s conference of delegates. He was appointed by President Ronald Reagan as U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District in 1982 and went on to successfully serve as Chief Judge for the Eastern District.

After 14 years of service in the Eastern District, Robert went to senior status. Among his great accomplishments are two new federal court houses in the Eastern District - Sacramento and Fresno (under construction).

Laura Berg

Outstanding Alumna – Athletics

Laura Berg is a native of Sante Fe Springs, California. She received her bachelor’s degree in commercial recreation from California State University, Fresno in 1998.

Laura’s stellar career in softball at Fresno State was highlighted by a NCAA Championship title in 1998. Finishing No. 2 all-time in NCAA history in career hits, she was a member of three NCAA Regional championship teams and two Western Athletic Conference (WAC) title squads. As the only Fresno State softball player to record three straight 100-hit seasons, Laura finished with a .414 career batting average while ranking among the NCAA’s best in at bats, runs and triples.

Laura is one of three players to amass 300 or more career hits and posted a 160-game defensive errorless streak. In addition, she finished her Bulldog career as the WAC's all-time leader in triples, runs, hits, at bats and total bases.

Laura has been a part of the USA Softball national system since 1994 when she was member of the USA Team that captured gold at the ISF Women's World Championship in St. John's Newfoundland, Canada. Her USA Softball resume includes two Olympic gold medals, three World Championship gold medals and two Pan Am gold medals. She was recently selected to the 18-member 2004 USA Women's National Team.

Karen A. Pendleton

2003 Outstanding Alumna – Division of Student Affairs

Born in Glendale, California, Karen Pendleton was a child star who appeared on Walt Disney’s original “Mickey Mouse Club.”. As one of the coveted Mouseketeers, Karen performed on national television and co-starred in a major motion picture with Fess Parker. She also traveled the country and abroad with fellow cast members to establish the Disney legacy.

After a few years of being a stay at home mom, Karen decided to refocus her life. Karen worked for the next five years in a women’s shelter and as a counselor for abused women. She completed her Master’s of Science degree in Psychology at Fresno State and is now in the process of taking her board exams to fulfill her dream of becoming a Marriage and Family Therapist.

Karen continues to stay in touch with former show business friends such as, Annette Funicello, Tommy Cole, David Stollery, and Tim Considine. Two years ago, she brought a number of them to Fresno for a benefit, “An evening with the Mouseketeers” and “Spin and Marty,” to support the Center for Independent Living.

Karen currently works with the court system to teach classes on successful single parenting to clients involved in custody disputes. She has one daughter, Staci.

Sister Ruth Marie Nickerson, CSC

2003 Arthur Safstrom Service Award

Sister Ruth Marie Nickerson, CSC, is the president and chief executive officer of Saint Agnes Medical Center. She is responsible for the operation of Saint Agnes Medical Center and its outreach initiatives in providing excellence in the delivery of health care services to the people of the central San Joaquin Valley in accordance with the mission of Saint Agnes Medical Center.

Sister Ruth Marie currently serves as a board member for The California Endowment, The Alliance of Catholic Health Care, and The Fresno Business Council and is an ambassador for California State University, Fresno. Previously, she served as President and CEO of Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills, California; Past Chairperson, Catholic Health Association of the United States of America. She was a board member on the California Healthcare Association and a member of the Medical Policy Committee on Quality and Technology, Blue Shield of California, Hospital Relations Committee and the Blue Cross of California.

She holds a Master of Science in Health Administration from the University of Colorado in Denver and received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Seattle University.

Rick Douglas Husband

2002 Outstanding Alumnus – College of Engineering and Computer Science

Rick Husband received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Texas Tech University in 1980, and a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from California State University, Fresno in 1990.

After graduation from Texas Tech University, Rick was commissioned a second lieutenant in the USAF and attended pilot training at Vance Air Force Base (AFB), Oklahoma. He has served as an F-4E instructor pilot and academic instructor at George AFB, California and attended test pilot school at Edwards AFB, California. Upon completion of Test Pilot School, he served as a test pilot flying the F-4 and all five models of the F-15. In the F-15 Combined Test Force, Rick was program manager for the Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 increased performance engine, and also served as the F-15’s Aerial Demonstration Pilot.

In June 1992, Rick was assigned to the Aircraft and Armament Evaluation Establishment at Boscombe Down, England, as an exchange test pilot with the Royal Air Force. At Boscombe Down, he was the Tornado GR1 and GR4 Project Pilot and served as a test pilot in the Hawk, Hunter, Buccaneer, Jet Provost, Tucano, and Harvard. He has logged over 3800 hours of flight time in more than 40 different types of aircraft.

NASA selected Rick as an astronaut candidate in December 1994. He reported to the Johnson Space Center in March 1995 to begin a year of training and evaluation. Upon completion of training, he was named the Astronaut Office representative for Advanced Projects at Johnson Space Center, working on Space Shuttle Upgrades, the Crew Return Vehicle (CRV) and studies to return to the Moon and travel to Mars. Most recently, Rick served as Chief of Safety for the Astronaut Office. He flew as pilot on STS-96 in 1999, and has logged 235 hours and 13 minutes in space. Rick was lost upon Shuttle Columbia’s re-entry into earth’s atmosphere on February 1, 2003 over the southern United States when Space Shuttle Columbia and her crew perished during entry, 16 minutes prior to scheduled landing.

He is survived by his wife Evelyn, and two children. He enjoyed singing, water and snow skiing, cycling, and spending time with his family.

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