The Class of 2021 completed its final year at Stanislaus State remotely, but Bethany Harper, Marcus Garrett Ruddicks and Riley Nicole Taylor continued to thrive academically and earned cumulative 4.0 grade-point averages during their Warrior years. 

They share the 2021 Metzger-Geiger Award for their accomplishments. 

Two months into their final college semester, members of Stanislaus State’s Class of 2020, like others across the nation, pivoted to online learning and completed their education remotely because of COVID-19.  

Further, the Class of 2020 waited a year for its commencement, and during that event, held in three ceremonies on the Stan State campus, Baylee Chance, Carina Garcia and Evan Moffitt were announced as co-winners of the Metzer-Geiger Award. 

Heather Dunn Carlton joined the Stanislaus State community when she officially became the associate vice president for student affairs and dean of students on April 12, 2021. Carlton spent the previous 14 years as the associate dean of students at the University of the Pacific, which she believes will help her as she takes on her new role at Stan State.

Watch Video: Warrior Entrepreneurship Initiative // Porges Family Foundation Gift

The spring semester is ending on a high note for Stanislaus State tenor Luca Mitchell. The sophomore and music major studying vocal performance won first place in his cate

Mary Roaf and Sarah Bissonnette come from opposite ends of the world, have unique life experiences and teach in different disciplines, but they share a passion for Stanislaus State students and teaching. Both were honored with the 2021 Elizabeth Anne B. Papageorge Faculty Development Award, which is named for the Emeritus Professor of Education, recognizes and encourages outstanding achievement, primarily, but not limited to, teaching, by a probationary faculty member at Stan State. 

She’s been nominated for other faculty awards in the past, but for Stanislaus State Sociology Professor Ann Strahm to be honored for Outstanding Service in Faculty Governance seems most appropriate.

Isolation created by the pandemic has been a challenge for everyone, but it cuts to the very being of Michael “Big Mike” Rodriguez. 

A Stanislaus State alumnus (history, ’19) who is completing his second year of the Master of Public Administration program, Rodriguez is gregarious and engaging. His ability to walk up to a stranger on campus, introduce himself with a handshake and a “how are you doing?” make him an ideal recruiter for the Asian Connection Club, of which he is president. 

Unbridled love of botany and teaching defined Stanislaus State Professor Emeritus Steve Grillos, who passed away Feb. 9. He was 93.