The Kremen School of Education and Human Development Alumni Chapter will honor four outstanding alumni during a dinner at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 20, at California State University, Fresno’s Residence Dining Facility.

In the spotlight will be:

• Dale Drew, superintendent/principal of Washington Colony Elementary School District in Fresno County

• Dr. Jose Elgorriaga, professor emeritus of Spanish and the former Bulldogs soccer coach

• Armen Bacon, executive assistant to the superintendent in the Fresno County Office of Education

• Lloyd Wamhof, a lecturer in the Kremen School’s Research and Administration Department.

“We selected four outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of education,” said Sue Smits, president of the Kremen Alumni Chapter. “Each honoree is clearly outstanding and deserves recognition for making such great contributions to enhance the quality of education in our Valley.”

The 2006 awardees are:

Dale Drew — Noted Alumni Award for significant contributions to the field of education

Drew, a Navy veteran, completed his standard elementary teaching credential in 1974 and his administrative services credential in 1976 at Fresno State. Prior to Washington Colony, Drew worked at Lakeside Union Elementary School District in Kings County, where he was a teacher, categorical program director and assistant principal.

He is president -elect and executive committee member of the Small School Districts Association. Drew also is active with the Association of California School Administrators, Fresno County Charter, where he serves as an executive board member and treasurer and as chairperson its Small School District Committee.

Dr. Jose Elgorriaga — Professional Alumni Service Award for outstanding achievement

Elgorriaga has been involved in various community boards and activities throughout his career. He chaired the Foreign Language Department and was Fresno State Bulldogs Soccer coach for 11 seasons, compiling a record of 170 victories, 58 losses and 20 ties, earning Soccer America Coach of the Year honors in 1986.

He has served as a trustee or director of the Fresno Regional Foundation, Fresno Metropolitan Museum, Children’s Hospital Central California, Fresno Philharmonic Orchestra and The Boys and Girls Clubs of Fresno. Elgorriaga’s honors include a Meritorious Performance Award from California State University trustees and having the soccer field at The Village Granite Park in Fresno named for him.

After earning bachelor of arts from Fresno State in 1953, Elgorriaga received a master’s and doctoral degrees from UCLA. He retired from the Fresno State faculty in 1992.

Armen Bacon — Friend of Education Alumni Award for sustained impact on education Nominations are by the Kremen Alumni Chapter board of directors and faculty emeriti

Bacon has broad industry leadership in education administration, public relations and nonprofit administration. Working with Fresno County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Peter Mehas, also an alumnus, she overseas media relations, communications and special projects for the Fresno County Office of Education, which serves 34 school districts and 182,000 students.

As a public relations/ communications veteran for more than 25 years, she has presented numerous lectures/workshops. In 2002, Bacon received first place statewide for Best Annual Report and the “Children First” television series of public service messages.

Bacon received a bachelor of arts in psychology from Fresno State in 1972. She also has a master’s degree in organizational management. She has been involved in numerous community boards and activities and was selected as the 2002 Woman of the Year . She also has won advertising awards from the California School Public Relations Association and the Fresno Advertising Federation.

Lloyd Wamhof Kremen Noted Alumni Special Recognition Award

This award was created to honor a great advocate for education and supporter of the Kremen Alumni Board, Smits said.

In addition to teaching at Fresno State, Wamhof is a professional standards advocate for the Association of California School Administrators and has been involved in numerous community boards and activities. He works tirelessly for the Kremen School’s development to raise funds for scholarships for future educators. He has chaired the major fundraising event for the Kremen School the past two years.

Wamhof received his bachelor of science in business administration from Fresno State in 1966 and his master of arts in education administration in 1978.

The banquet is open to the public. Tickets are $35 and available at the Kremen Dean’s office, 559.278.0210, or at the door.

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(University Communications student-intern Megan Jacobsen contributed to copy preparation).