Remarkable contributions by students and others in the campus community were honored at the 2015 Chancellor’s Awards for Public Service, May 5. Photographer Keegan Houser captured highlights of the event.
"This award is really about a movement," said Tan, a first-generation Filipino and only the second undocumented student to be elected to the ASUC Senate.
May 7, 2015
“If I take credit for anything, it’s for building a bridge between the expertise that we have here,” at UC Berkeley, “and the need that’s 12 miles away in Marin County,” William Drummond told the large crowd gathered for the 2015 Chancellor’s Awards for Public Service, held May 5 at Alumni House.
The journalism professor, whose students mentor inmate journalists at San Quentin State Prison, won a faculty award for community-engaged scholarship. He shared the limelight with dozens of other members of the campus community dedicated to public service, which is “at the core of our mission,” Chancellor Nicholas Dirks told the crowd.
“It’s always been in my heart to speak,” even when it’s frightening to do so, said undergrad Sean Tan, honored for his selfless advocacy for undocumented students.
Also on hand for the high-spirited celebration were student winners of public service-oriented scholarships and fellowships – the John Gardner Fellowship, the Shinnyo Fellowship, the Judith Lee Stronach Baccalaureate Prize and the Peter E. Haas Public Service Leaders Program.
For names and profiles of those honored, see the awards website. Here are photos of the day, taken by Keegan Houser (except where noted).
Anne Marie Richard and Arturo Cortéz pause for a photo op with anthropologist Jun Sunseri, right, whose faculty award for community engaged scholarship recognizes his service to Native communities. (Photos by Keegan Houser, except where noted)
English major Steve Czifra thanked his family for supporting him on his journey. The Underground Scholars co-founder, outspoken in sharing his experience of solitary confinement, won a civic-engagement award.
"Words matter," insisted Arturo Cortéz, winner of the graduate student award for civic engagement. Cortez founded Xochitl Justice Book Press, which publishes books by disadvantaged children.
Ethnic-studies major Danny Murillo co-founded Underground Scholars, a campus organization for formerly incarcerated students. Murillo is one of three new John Gardner Fellows. (Cathy Cockrell photo)
These students are among nearly 40 newly named Peter E. Haas Public Service Leaders.
"The spirit is in me,” said Drummond, as he displayed a gift for Chancellor Dirks.
The Bay Area-based organization All of Us Or None, which focuses on issues of incarceration, won a campus-community partnership award.
Students of William Drummond, right, mentor the inmates who write and produce the San Quentin News, distributed throughout the state prison system.
Emily Ozer, professor of public health, celebrates her faculty award for research in the public interest with her daughter, Elena Fields.
Harry LeGrande introduced Alejandra Meza, winner of the 2015 Mather Good Citizen Award.
"This award is really about a movement," said Tan, a first-generation Filipino and only the second undocumented student to be elected to the ASUC Senate.
Undergrad Sean Tan was honored for his service to undocumented students. Celebrating with him are Vice Chancellor Harry Le Grande, left, and the award's sponsors, former Chancellor Robert Birgeneau and his wife, Mary Catherine.
The staff award for civic engagement went to Anne Marie Richard, for her popular-education work in the Central Valley.
Professor William Drummond, winner of a faculty award for community engagement (center), chats with undergrad honorees Danny Murillo, right, and Steven Czifra. (Cathy Cockrell photo)
