CSULB's highest alumni honor, the Distinguished Alumni Award is bestowed annually in each College by the CSULB Alumni Association. In addition to demonstrated pride and positive affinity for CSULB, awardees have achieved a record of distinction, recognition and accomplishment in their fields and a proven record of leadership and service to their communities and society at large.
Celebrating 50 years of alumni excellence, the CSULB Alumni Association is proud to acknowledge this year’s recipients.
Bob Ellis is a retired long-time educator from the Long Beach Unified School District who has been very involved with CSULB. Among the positions he held included the principalships at Jordan, Poly and Wilson high schools, Hughes Middle School, Avalon School, and Fremont and Newcomb elementary schools. He was also the district’s assistant director of personnel. Besides his involvement with The Beach, Bob is active with the Long Beach City College Board of Governors, Long Beach Human Relations Commission, Long Beach Fire Ambassadors, and the California Retired Teachers Association. His wife Barbara Seelgen-Ellis is also a CSULB graduate.
A native of Tehran, Iran, Mike Baghramian founded Bager Electronics in 1980 in his home office. Today, it provides technology solutions and design support and innovation for new applications to the Southwest market place with four offices in Southern California and Arizona. The Fountain Valley-based company is a manufacturer’s representative that focuses on the sales of semiconductor components. Prior to establishing Bager, he worked in the aerospace industry. Mike has been an active member of the College of Engineering Dean’s Advisory Council since 2004, the Foundation Board at Community Hospital of Long Beach, and the Long Beach YMCA board.
Nancy Beard is a well-recognized and highly honored professional with more than 30 years of experience working in recreation and community services in Southern California. Among her leadership roles includes serving as a district president of the California Parks and Recreation Society and the state scholarship chair. In December 2010, she retired as a recreation manager for the city of West Hollywood. Previously, she held management positions for the cities of Seal Beach, Riverside, and Newport Beach. Nancy has been an active alumna with the Recreation and Leisure Studies Department by serving as a mentor, guest speaker, and reviewing curriculum.
Vivianne Lokken has utilized her nursing degree in a voluntary role for the betterment of the community at-large and CSULB. For 10 years, she volunteered in hospice with St. Mary’s Hospital. In addition, she served as a tutor for Project Read and as a docent with the Long Beach Museum of Art. At CSULB, Vivianne has assisted the School of Nursing with fundraising for scholarships, the new building addition, and is a longtime booster for 49er Athletics. Vivianne has a Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Cleveland Chiropractic College in Los Angeles. Her husband Lyman is also a CSULB graduate.
Alyce LaViolette is a nationally-recognized expert in the area of victims and perpetrators of domestic violence. Among the numerous agencies that she worked with as either a consultant, trainer or expert witness includes the United States Department of State, the L.A. County Superior Court, the YWCA Women’s Shelter Program, and founder of Alternatives to Violence. Alyce has presented at workshops or meetings in Japan, Israel, and New Zealand. The book author has appeared on various television and radio programs speaking about domestic violence. It was through her graduate work at CSULB volunteering at WomenShelter that started her career.
John McElroy is the Senior Vice President and General Counsel for Mitsubishi Motors of North America, based in Cypress, Calif. He oversees all corporate and legal issues for the auto company. John joined the company in 1985 and has held various senior management positions. He received his law degree from UCLA and is a member of the California Bar Association. John has been a longtime supporter of the Beach Fund and 49er Athletics. His late mother-in-law and brother-in-law are also CSULB graduates.
Jerry Zack is conducting innovative research on how HIV replicates and causes disease, and the possibility of how stem cells could protect HIV/AIDS patients from additional infection. Jerry is the director of the UCLA Center for AIDS Research (CFAR); Professor of Medicine; and Professor of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics with the Geffen School of Medicine. He is often featured in various popular media. The former tennis pro earned his Ph.D. in immunology at the University of Texas Southwestern, his B.S. in biology at UC Irvine, and A.A. degree from Golden West College. He is a longtime CSULB supporter.
Distinguished Alumni Nomination form, submitted by non-employees
Guidelines for
non-employees
Distinguished Alumni Nomination form, submitted by CSULB faculty and staff only
Guidelines for
CSULB faculty and
staff only
For a full list of past recipients of Distinguished Alumni Awards categorized by college, please click on the college banner below.
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