Down by the riverside, Jeanne Gunner accepts the President’s Award

In this digital age, it probably should come as no surprise that affection can bridge media and miles as well as cross state borders. But it was still a fun first for Chapman’s annual Staff Appreciation Awards Ceremony in Memorial Hall when on Thursday, June 4, Vice Chancellor Jeanne Gunner accepted the President’s Award via Skype from her new home alongside the Santiam River in Oregon.

“I’m extremely grateful, and I miss all of you,” said Gunner, Ph.D., who retired at the end of the academic year. “Thank you for what was a wonderful 12 years at Chapman. It prepared me to enjoy all of this,” she added, pointing to the nearby trees and river, her image projected on a big screen behind President Jim Doti.

In addition to offering his thanks, Doti shared words of praise from those who nominated Gunner, who was described as a true scholar and someone who embodies the Chapman spirit of collaboration. Gunner taught writing classes as a professor in the Wilkinson College of Humanities and Social Sciences as well as leading
University-wide academic programs and initiatives through her role with the Chancellor’s Office.


“We love you and congratulate you and hope you catch lots of fish,” Doti added.

Gunner was selected to receive the President’s Award from a list of nominees that includes Dawn Brewer, David Finley, Tina Graves, Serena Healey, Jennifer Hunnewell, Colleen Jilk, Ross Loehner, Margie McCoy, Valerie McNutt, Essraa Nawar, Julie Payn, Erin Pullin, Lenae Reiter, Peter Westenhofer and Ashley Whelpley. All were recognized during the ceremony for their many contributions to Chapman.

The awards presentation honoring excellence among Chapman staff members is an annual highlight of Staff Summit Week. Others receiving awards on the Memorial Hall stage include:

• Virginia Nowakowski, Four Pillars Award.
• Lisa Eap-Miller and Pamela Ezell, University Advancement Staff Members of the Year.
• Sarah Buckley and James Kerr, UA Spirit Award.
• Tianna Haradon and Carl Minor, UA Teamwork Award.

In addition, the following honorees received staff service awards:

• 40 years: Michael Drummy.
• 35 years: Maria Niumata, Theresa Paulsrud and Jeanne Walker.
• 30 years: Kelly Cooke, Maria Lynch, Rosalinda Monroy, Doroteo Sepulveda and Serafin Serrato.
• 25 years: Crystal Bartlett, Mary Cahill and David Currey.
• 20 years: Sonya Hall and Eduardo Saucedo.






• 15 years: David Acheson, Steven Acheson, Karen Agrums, Nick Andreosky, Charlene Baldwin, John Carver, Patricia Cavins, Julia De Leon, Julie Ford, Brian Fujii, Cindy Graves, Pamela Houchen, Maryam Isles, Linda Karmelich, Will Marino, Betty Reich, Carole Wayman, Kathleen White and Char Williams.
• 10 years: Bradley Agrums, Jose Amador, Tuesday Atkins, Craig Brown, Randy Burba, Linda Corcoran, Maria Coronado Espinoza, Laurie Cussalli, Dorothy Farol, John Garbisch, Oscar Garcia, Stephen Hall, Mohammad Haq, Joanne Jurczyk, Jayne Kacer, Everett Lacro, David Lowe, David May, Cindy Mitchell, Mary Nguyen, Mark Nolasco, Robert Octavio, Dee Prophet, Karen Swift, Stephanie Takemoto, Christina Tardif, Marissa Tobias, Susan Winton and Maria Yanez.
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  5 years: Joseph  Anderson, Mia Basic, Dawn Bonker, Jaclyn Cardwell, Stuart Chase, Roberto Coronel, Grant Cushman, Lori Deterding, Mary Devlugt, Gianne Diosomito, Ryan French, Julie Gorzik, Jennifer Heatley, David Hensel, William Herrin, Heidi Hunerdosse, John Kabala, Kari Kempf, Jennifer Kim, Sora Kim, Edward Lan, Adrianna May, Jason McAlexander, Jami McCoy, Ruben Medina, Ashley Melton, Heidi Negrete, Michelle Ozuna, Jana Remy, Angela Ruiz, Kim Russell, Karin Spicer, Terry Turzynski, Ashley Whelpley, Keegan White, Kayla Wiechert, Lily Woodin and Mark Woodland.