Carolyn Thompson, 2005

1968, Kinesiology
Carolyn Thompson is the 2005 Distinguished Alumni for the College of Communication and Education. Carolyn is a 1968 graduate of the Department of Kinesiology. Carolyn taught secondary physical education for 33 years, and is the 1994 recipient of the National Secondary School Physical Education Teacher of the Year award.
More distinguished alumni

Scott Dalecio, 2004

1986 B.A. Recreation Administration
Current Position: President, Resort Division,
KSL Recreation Corporation
Scott Dalecio serves as the Resort Division president for the KSL Recreation Corporation, owner of the prestigious La Costa Resort and Spa, La Quinta Resort, The Grand Wailea Resort on Maui, and their newest acquisition, the Hotel del Coronado. Dalecio started his career in the hospitality industry as a CSU, Chico intern for the Landmark Land Company in their La Quinta Resort & Club. He worked his way up the company, becoming vice president and residential manager of La Quinta Resort when it was purchased by KSL in 1994. Dalecio currently oversees acquisitions, operations, and development of the nine luxury KSL resorts and clubs, located in five states.

William Mickelson, 2003

1951 B.A. Education
Current Position: President, Mickelson Land Services, Inc.
William Mickelson began his post college career as a teacher. A friendship formed on the golf course led Mickelson into the oil exploration business.
He has served as the president and CEO of Mickelson Land Services, Inc. and the owner of Mickelson Oil and Gas Properties. Mickelson is past president and a director of the Los Angeles Association of Petroleum Landmen and was named “Landman of the Year” for 1986-1987. During his college days, Mickelson helped to form the first official Chico State College golf team. Golf remains a very important part of Mickelson’s life, and he has won the California Amateur title in the handicap division.

Dan M. Dutton, 2002

1972, Physical Education
Chief Executive Officer, Stimson Lumber Company
Dan Dutton joined Stimson Lumber Company as executive vice president and chief operating officer in 1988. Dutton was elected president of Stimson Lumber Company in 1989 and became chief executive officer in 1991.

Michael J. Jones, 2001

1981, Psychology
1983, Instructional Technology, Information and Communication Studies (M.A.)
Vice-President, Human Resources and Information Services, Microchip Technology, Inc.
Michael Jones has been a member of the executive staff of Microchip Technology, Inc. since 1991. In 1993 the company went public and was the nation’s number one IPO for 1993.

Enrique “Rick” Rigsby, 2000

1978, Mass Comminucation
1987, Public Communication (M.A.)
Enrique “Rick” Rigsby is considered to be among the most popular professors at Texas A&M University, where he is an assistant professor of Speech Communication. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Rigsby is also the Life Skills Development Coordinator for the Texas A&M football team, president of Rick Rigsby Communications World Group, and founder of Cornerstone Ministries.

Rigsby received two degrees from CSU, Chico—a B.A. in mass communication in 1978 and an M.A. in public communication in 1987. He also earned his Ph.D. in rhetoric and communication from the University of Oregon in 1990.

Jerry McGuire, 1999

1964, Elementary Education
1973, Education Administration/Supervision
Jerry McGuire was the superintendent of Butte County Schools. In June of 1998, McGuire was elected to serve a third four-year term. Prior to serving as superintendent, McGuire was principal at three schools within the Chico Unified School District.

McGuire earned a B.A. in elementary education in 1964 from CSU, Chico and received his M.A. in education administration/ supervision in 1973. He also earned a credential in life-administrative services (elementary and general).

Kelly Craighead-Mullen, 1998

1989, Recreation Administration
Washington, DC
Kelly Craighead-Mullen was special assistant to US President Clinton and director of advance to the First Lady. Craighead graduated in 1989 with a B.S. in Recreation Administration and valuable experience as vice president of the Associated Students. Following graduation, Craighead left Chico for an internship position in Washington, D.C. with a fundraising firm.

Since 1992, Craighead has traveled throughout the United States and to over eighty countries across six continents.

Russ Woody, 1997

1979, Broadcast Journalism
Studio City, CA
Russ Woody graduated in 1979 with a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism and a minor in speech and drama. He was a production assistant on the Benson and Bosom Buddies shows and he sold scripts to Benson and Barney Miller and wrote episodes for Fantasy Island and Webster. As part of Mary Tyler Moore’s production company, he wrote episodes for Newhart, Hill Street Blues, St. Elsewhere, and Slap Maxwell. He was co-executive producer of Mad About You and consults on The Jeff Foxworthy Show. He won an Emmy in 1990 as writer/producer for Murphy Brown and a Golden Globe Award in 1997 as co-executive producer of Cybill.

Tamilee Webb, 1996

1982 M.A.Physical Education
International Fitness Educator/Instructor—Webb International, Del Mar, CA
As a leader in the fitness industry, Webb develops, promotes, and produces innovative programs for the public and fitness instructors. Webb has received Self magazine’s 1994 “Best Abs Workout” and 1993’s “Fitness Instructor of the Year” by IDEA, the association of fitness professionals.

Mark Ulriksen, 1995

Originally a graphic designer, then a magazine art director, he is now illustrating and painting  pictures for a  living.

Ulriksen's work has graced the covers of  magazines like The New Yorker, New York Times Magazine, The Atlantic  Monthly, Time, Newsweek Japan and has appeared in the pages of Rolling  Stone, Vibe, GQ, and Entertainment  Weekly.