From Dateline (April 22, 2004)
Best-Selling Author to Receive Honorary Doctorate At Cal State Fullerton's 45th Annual Commencement
by Pamela Mclaren
Award-winning mystery novelist Elizabeth George
returns to her alma mater to receive an honorary doctorate during
the 45th annual commencement ceremonies May 29-30.
George, who graduated with a master’s degree
in counseling in 1979, is one of two alumni delivering the keynote
addresses during the weekend celebration. She will be recognized
during the Sunday, May 30, ceremony for her success as an educator
and novelist, and for her philanthropic work.
Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido, a 1980 graduate with
a bachelor’s degree in engineering, will address candidates
for graduation and their families during the Saturday, May 29, commencement
exercise.
“With two dynamic CSUF graduates addressing
our commencement ceremonies, our students will be getting a glimpse
of their own futures, as individuals who will play a key role in
society,” said President Milton A. Gordon. “We are particularly
proud to have the honor of presenting an honorary doctorate to one
of our own.”
The honorary doctorate, awarded jointly by the campus
and the California State University, is conferred in recognition
of excellence and extraordinary achievement in significant areas
of human endeavors. George is the second alumnus to be recognized
in this manner. Last year, an honorary doctorate was awarded to
international businessman and 1965 alumnus Gareth C.C. Chang.
George was born in Ohio and grew up in the town of
Mountain View in the San Francisco Bay area. She earned her undergraduate
degree in English at UC Riverside and embarked on a teaching career
–first at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, then at El Toro
High School, where she was honored in 1980 with the California Teachers
Association WHO Award for Teaching and a year later named Saddleback
Valley Teacher of the Year and Orange County Teacher of the Year.
The Huntington Beach resident’s first novel,
A Great Deliverance, won both the 1989 Anthony and 1989 Agatha awards
for first best novel, as well as France’s Le Grand Prix de
Literature Policiere in 1990. Since then, George has kept her fans
and the publishing world on the edge of their seats with her series
of best-selling psychological suspense novels.
George’s books have continued to win her accolades,
including Germany’s MIMI for Well Schooled in Murder. Several
of her novels have been adapted for television by the BBC –
four were aired last fall by PBS under the title “The Inspector
Lynley Mysteries.”
The author, whose most recent book, Write Away, was
published in March by Harper Collins, also is known for her philanthropic
efforts through the Elizabeth George Foundation, which has provided
support to such organizations as St. Joseph Hospital, Medicine for
Humanities, Friends for Humanity and SKIP Health Foundation for
Disadvantaged Children. She continues to indulge in her love of
teaching at the annual Maui Writers retreat and meets weekly with
a group of unpublished writers in her home when she is in California.
Pulido, who earlier this month was named to the board
of the California State Teachers Retirement System by Gov. Arnold
Schwarzenegger, has served as mayor of the city of Santa Ana since
1994 and a member of the city council since 1986.
During his mayoral tenure, Pulido formed the Mayor’s
Task Force on Arts and Culture, which led to the development of
the Artists Village, a section of downtown Santa Ana that includes
theaters, galleries, performance venues and Cal State Fullerton’s
Grand Central Art Center. In 1999, he spearheaded the Orange County
International Trade Center Advisory Council’s efforts to bring
together various partners to develop a strategy for assisting local
businesses with international trade. Three years ago, Pulido negotiated
with Mexico’s President Vicente Fox to open that country’s
first trade center in the United States. He also was appointed by
Fox to serve on the Federal Inter-Governmental Policy Advisory Committee
on Trade.
Pulido is a member of the Bower’s Museum Board
of Directors and represents the city on the Orange County Transportation
Authority, a position he has held since 1997. Other leadership positions
include service on the board of Community Commerce Bank, Caltrans’
Management Information System Advisory Committee, Pacific Symphony,
Discovery Science Center and the UCI Foundation.
Commencement kicks off with two universitywide ceremonies
at 8 a.m. May 29 and 30 on the athletics fields north of Titan Gym.
College and department celebrations will follow at various locations
throughout campus. An honors convocation to recognize student achievements
will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, May 28, in the Titan Student Union’s
Portola Pavilion.
###
|