CSUCI Administrator Selected for Prestigious CSU Wang Family Excellence Award

Camarillo, Calif., April 23, 2008 – California State University Channel Islands President Richard R. Rush announced that Dr. Wm. Gregory Sawyer, Vice President for Student Affairs, has been awarded the prestigious CSU Wang Family Excellence Award for 2008. The Wang award was established in fall 1998 when then-trustee Stanley T. Wang provided $1 million to reward outstanding faculty and administrators, which recognizes four faculty members and one administrator who through extraordinary commitment and dedication have distinguished themselves by exemplary contributions and achievements in their academic disciplines and areas of assignment.

Sawyer joined CSUCI in January 2002 as Vice President for Student Affairs. During this time, Sawyer has performed at a passionate and visionary level for the students, faculty and staff, and has been described as an awe-inspiring administrator, classroom teacher, counselor and mentor. In addition to his administrative duties, Sawyer also teaches public speaking and leadership courses.

“He is a highly valued member of the CSUCI community, and leads by example to define and support the student-centered mission and culture of the campus,” Rush said.

Sawyer gives strong encouragement to staff members to pursue an academic education and advanced degrees, and is a trailblazer for student affairs program assessment at the national level. Sawyer earned a Ph.D. in higher education administration at the University of North Texas.

“I am honored that CSUCI has been recognized by the Wang Family and the California State University system for this distinguished award,” stated Sawyer.

The Wang awardees are identified by a committee comprised of representatives of the CSU Board of Trustees, the Chair of the Statewide Academic Senate, a previous faculty award recipient of the Wang Family Award, and the CSU System Executive Staff. Those chosen have emerged from a select group of nominations. Sawyer will be honored with the other awardees at the CSU Board of Trustees meeting on May 13 in Long Beach.
For more information about Sawyer’s award, contact Nancy Covarrubias Gill, Director of Communication and Marketing, (805) 437-8456 or nancy.gill@csuci.edu

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CSU Channel Islands is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

CSUCI Mission Statement
Placing students at the center of the educational experience, California State University Channel Islands provides undergraduate and graduate education that facilitates learning within and across disciplines through integrative approaches, emphasizes experiential and service learning, and graduates students with multicultural and international perspectives.

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