Distinguished Alumni Service Award
Nominations are now open for the 2012 Distinguished Alumni Service Award. Click here for an application.Nomination deadline is November 14, 2011.
(2005 Inaugural Year)
- 2011-Glen O. Toney
- 2010-Clark and Betty Porter
- 2009–Nancy Fox
- 2008–Sheryl W. Lange
- 2007–Judy L. Sitton
- 2006–Leonard A. Whitegon
- 2005–Mackay Martin *
Glen O. Toney
1966 BA Philosophy Current Positions: Retired; Founding Partner, The Jamison Group
Glen Toney served as an executive of Applied Materials for 23 years before retiring in 2002 as group vice president of corporate affairs. Toney previously served as superintendent of schools for Palo Alto School District and for Ravenswood City School District. Toney received a BS in mathematics from San Jose State University, an MA in instructional technology and curriculum design from San Jose State, and a Doctorate of Organizational Behavior and Higher Education from the University of Southern California. Toney also holds honorary doctorates from Chico State and Santa Clara University. Truly committed to civic involvement, Toney is a former president of the Chico State Alumni Association, currently serves on the CSU Board of Trustees and the Gateway Science Museum Board of Directors, and is the recipient of numerous honors and awards.
Clark and Betty Porter
1948 BA Biology (Clark); 1950 BA Education, 1950 Credential (Betty)
The first couple to be honored, Clark and Betty Porter met while at Chico State in 1947. Following their graduation, they left Chico to pursue advanced degrees, Clark his PhD at Oregon State, Betty her MAT and MLA. After successful careers, Clark as a plant researcher, Betty as an educator and librarian, they were ready to retire and made their way back to Chico. Clark and Betty established the Clark and Betty Porter Endowment to fund scholarships in teaching, biology, and basketball. They are members of the Chico State Alumni Association, and both have served on the Alumni Association Board of Directors. Clark has also served on the Biology Department Advisory Board and is a 1993 inductee in the Athletic Hall of Fame. Betty has served on the Chico Museum Board and currently teaches genealogy classes for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.
Nancy Fox
1964 BA Education, 1965 Credential
Nancy Fox is the "Official Grand Mom" to the Chico State golf team. Fox and her husband, Jack, travel extensively with the team, hosting nightly booster events during tournaments, and she was named the 2004–2005 "Golf Booster of the Year." Fox was a member of the University Advisory Board for 10 years, serving as both chair and vice chair. She has also been on the University Foundation Board of Governors, is a member of the Heritage Circle, and is a lifetime member of the Alumni Association. In addition to serving the University, Fox volunteers extensively with community organizations and considers volunteering to be a significant part of her life.
Sheryl W. Lange
1966 BA Psychology
Sheryl Lange is the "Supreme Volunteer." Her role as volunteer has led to a term on the Chico City Council, four bond committees, the CUSD Foundation Board, numerous PTA boards, and the American Cancer Society. At Chico State she is considered to be a most valuable volunteer, having served as secretary, vice president, president, and past president of the Alumni Association. She has also served on the University Advisory Board, the Wildcat Century Club, the Northern California Natural History Museum Board, and the WASC Committee. For her role in advocating for the University and the CSU system, Lange was named the 2007 California State University Advocate of the Year for CSU, Chico.
Judy Lynn Sitton
1968 BA Social Science, 1969 Credential, 2003 Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters
Judy Sitton defines volunteerism. She is chair of the CSU, Chico Advisory Board, vice chair and trustee of the Enloe Board of Trustees, president and past treasurer of the Northern California Natural History Museum Board, and past chair for the Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) Business Advisory Board. Sitton was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters in 2003 by the California State University Board of Trustees and CSU, Chico in recognition of her personal and professional achievements and service to the system and institution. In 2000, Sitton retired as executive vice president from Bi-Tech Software, the computer software company she co-founded with her husband.
Leonard A. Whitegon
1951 BA Elementary Education, 1955 MA Elementary School Education
Len Whitegon may have served as a teacher and elementary school principal for more than 33 years, but it is his volunteer service for which he is best known. Whitegon is credited with saving the school fight song from total extinction. When Royce Tevis, the director of bands and a music professor, came to campus he found the music to the school fight song, but no lyrics. Whitegon was able to recite the words from memory. For the past two years, he has taken on the task of getting Wildcat fans to stand when the fight song is played at basketball games. Whitegon has received numerous volunteer service awards including the 1996 Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year Award and the 2005 Jackie Faris-Rees Community Leadership Award.
Mackay Martin*
1946 BS Business Administration
Mackay "Mac" Martin was an avid supporter of Chico State athletics. Martin entered Chico State College in 1938, but left in 1941 to enlist in the U.S. Navy following the attack on Pearl Harbor. He returned to Chico State after WWII, and completed his degree in Business Administration. Martin went to work for Chico State College in 1947, and oversaw the bookstore, food service, athletics, drama, and team transportation until his retirement in 1976. He helped to launch the Athletic Hall of Fame in 1985, and became director of the Chico Invitational Basketball Tournament which was later renamed the Mac Martin Invitational. Martin served as treasurer of the Alumni Association for 30 years, and established the Mac Martin Student Leadership Endowment in 2002.
* Deceased