The Cuesta College Foundation will host a reception for the college’s 2013 Volunteer Award recipients from 2- 3 p.m. on Thursday, May 2, in the Associated Students Auditorium, Room 5401. Two students, a faculty member and a community member will be honored for their invaluable service and commitment to the college. Cuesta Superintendent-President Gil Stork will act as master of ceremonies. The public is invited to attend and enjoy cake and refreshments.
Nicholas Trujillo will receive the Outstanding Student Citizen Award which recognizes students who have given above and beyond normal student volunteering hours and take pride in being a student at Cuesta College. Trujillo is currently the Associated Students of Cuesta College vice president, Alpha Gamma Sigma president, and a student ambassador. His contributions include more than 600 volunteer hours to Cuesta College and other organizations.
Betsy Hardie has served as a North County ambassador for several years as a meet-and-greet volunteer at the beginning of each semester to assist students and visitors on their first day of school. She will receive the Betty Nielsen Volunteer of the Year Award in memory of the college trustee known for her exemplary volunteer service. Hardie also creates and donates to the holiday gift baskets provided for low-income students and their families each December.
The John Schaub Student Volunteer Award is given to a student whose community volunteer work best exemplifies the high standards established by the college’s first dean of students. This year Simon Rowe will receive the award as he can be counted on to assist his fellow students with projects beyond normal classroom hours. This year Rowe became a part-time instructor for a beginning welding course while still maintaining full-time student status and continuing to volunteer. Rowe is also a student ambassador and has put in many more hours than is required of the ambassador program.
Mike Fontes will receive the Merlin E. Eisenbise Service in the Classroom Award. The award recognizes direct service in the classroom in honor of the district’s first superintendent-president, Dr. Merlin E Eisenbise. Fontes is a part-time welding faculty member who could be mistaken for a full-time instructor due to his many hours spent inside and outside the classroom with his students. Fontes recently led a team of Cuesta welding students to compete in a state welding competition which resulted in the students winning the competition.