Advocate of the Year
The Alumni Associations of the University of California (AAUC) acknowledges outstanding individuals who have helped shape the future of higher education in California. For the past ten years, a state legislator has been recognized as "Legislator of the Year Award." Begun in 2004, “Advocate of the Year” award recipients have been honored for their efforts on behalf of the entire University of California community.
The 2007 awardees were honored at the March 27 UC Day Reception program at the Sheraton Grand Sacramento. Check back on this page February 2008 for information about the 2008 award recipients.
The 2007 recipients were:
Advocate of the Year Awards
- John De Luca —Recognized for his outstanding leadership in the agricultural and wine industries; his invaluable advice and counsel to the university on matters of great Importance in which he has advanced the value and critical importance of research to the future of California; enhanced and strengthened relationships among UC, California’s agricultural industry, and state and federal elected officials; and served as an ardent advocate for increased state and federal funding in order to ensure that all UC students received a first-class education.
- Robert Hertzberg —Recognized for his tireless advocacy for the University through his tireless efforts to build a consensus between the legislature and the University’s Board of Regents; consistently strong support for funding for the university; and leadership as co-chair of the UC Task Force on Compensation, Accountability and Transparency in which he was a powerful voice in advancing Ssignificant changes to the university’s compensation policies and procedures.
Legislator of the Year Award
- Senator Denise Ducheny —Recognized for her outstanding contributions as a thoughtful advocate on behalf of the University of California, through her dedication to strengthening California’s health system and the safety net, which includes the University’s five UC academic medical centers and graduate medical education; and devoted efforts to secure increased funding for UC student academic preparation Programs, the California Subject Matter Projects, and numerous cutting-edge research initiatives.
AAUC Lifetime UC Advocate Award
- Assembly Member Mervyn Dymally —Recognized for a lifetime of devoted public service in which his creative insights and visionary leadership have enhanced the higher education community in California, most notably through his dedicated efforts as a committed advocate for the California Master Plan for Higher Education, a powerful voice for access and affordability for all students, and an energetic proponent of high-quality health education; as an early and unceasing champion of the Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science, in which he has been at the forefront of its efforts to train health professionals to meet the needs of underserved communities in California; as a powerful voice for and strong supporter of the University’s budget in his role as Chair of the Education Budget Subcommittee; and as a man of moral courage and personal integrity, who consistently exhibits the same careful consideration of which policies are in the best interest of the citizens of the State of California and of the many complicated health-care reform issues as chair of the assembly health committee.
California Dreamin’ Award
- Senator Gilbert Cedillo —Recognized for his enduring commitment to ensuring educational opportunities for all Californians through his effective and strong leadership in the California State Legislature in support of the University of California’s invaluable academic preparation programs; and unwavering dedication and commitment to SB 160, the California Dream Act.
March 2006
- Dr. Henry Samueli, Co-Founder, Chairman, and Chief Technical Officer, Broadcom —Recognized for the role he played as the leader of the 2004 and 2005 teams of Chief Executive Officers who advocated on behalf of the University of California:
- Richard A. Bergman , CEO, Bergman Group, Inc.
- Dr. Ed Catmull , President, Pixar Animation Studios
- Steven Joe , President & CEO, D-Link North America
- Michael A. Mussallem , Chairman & CEO, Edwards Lifesciences, LLC.
- David E.L. Pyott , Chairman, President & CEO, Allergan, Inc.
- Ted Smith , Founder, Retired Chairman & CEO, FileNet Corp
- Richard S. Ziman , Chairman & CEO, Arden Realty —As influential members of California’s business community, representing the diversity of California’s industry, they exemplify the success made possible by a strong state investment in higher education.
- Senator Tom Torlakson —Recognized for his central role as author and advocate in securing the passage of SB 569, a bill that will strengthen the operations, scholarship, mentoring, career advisement and placement programs of University of California alumni associations. As a legislator, advocate, and leader, he understands the importance of education and the value of the University of California’s contributions to the state’s health, quality of life, and economic competitiveness.
February 2005
- Joanne Kozberg
May 2004
- Howard Welinsky
Legislators of the year
February 2005
- Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez
May 2004
- Assembly Member Marco Firebaugh
- Assembly Member Keith Richman
- Senator Dick Ackerman
- Senator Dede Alpert
March 2003
- Assembly Member Carol Liu
- Assembly Member Darrell Steinberg
- Senator John Vasconcellos
March 2002
- Assembly Member Joseph Simitian
- Senator Bob Margett
March 2001
- Assembly Member Robert Hertzberg
- Senator Joe Dunn
March 2000
- Assembly Member Dennis Cardoza
- Senator Steve Peace
March 1999
- Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa
- Senator Jim Brulte
March 1998
- Assembly Member Cruz Bustamante
- Assembly Member Rod Pacheco
- Senator Ken Maddy
- Senator Mike Thompson
- Senator Diane Watson
March 1997
- Assembly Member Denise Moreno Ducheny
- Assembly Member Brooks Firestone
- Senator Bruce McPherson
- Senator Jack O'Connell