Cuesta awards luncheon to take place on May 8
An honoree from a prior year. Photo courtesy of Cuesta College.
Cuesta College to hold 2015 awards luncheon
Three former Cuesta College students and four volunteers will be honored at Cuesta College’s 2015 awards luncheon on May 8, from 12-2 p.m., on the college’s San Luis Obispo Campus in building 5400, room 5401.
Tickets to the luncheon are $20. To purchase, please contact the Cuesta College Foundation Office at (805) 546-3279 by April 29.
2015 Honored Alumni
Now in its 27th year, the Honored Alumni awards were established in 1989 to recognize “outstanding professional achievements and service of former Cuesta College students.” The 2015 Honored Alumni are David Judson, Rusty Kuntz and Eric Meyer. For more information on alumni program, click here.
• David Judson
Currently, as editor-in-chief of Stratfor, a geopolitical intelligence and advisory firm, Judson oversees both the global network of the company’s information gathering area specialists, as well as the publishing team that crafts the company’s work into written, video and graphic form. While living in Turkey for a period of time, Judson served as editor-in-chief of Hurriyet Daily News, which became a leading voice for political and social reform in democratizing Turkey. Judson also served as a senior correspondent in Washington D.C. for USA Today. Judson attended Coast Union High School in Cambria, attended Cuesta College from 1976-78 and holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Los Angeles.
• Rusty Kuntz
Rusty Kuntz is a retired American Major League Baseball designated hitter and outfielder. Kuntz attended Cuesta College after graduating from Paso Robles High School in 1973. After two successful baseball seasons at Cuesta, Kuntz focused his career on baseball and went on to California State University Stanislaus, where he played on two teams that went to the Division III World Series. Between 1979 and 1985, Kuntz played for the Chicago White Sox, Minnesota Twins and Detroit Tigers. In the final game of the 1984 World Series, Kuntz hit a pop fly that became the deciding batted in run. Since 2012, Kuntz has served as the first base coach of the Kansas City Royals. Kuntz got another taste of the World Series in 2014 when the Royals faced, and eventually lost to, the San Francisco Giants.
• Eric Meyer
Graduating from Cuesta College in 1982, and from Cal Poly in 1985 with a degree in art and design, the Morro Bay native and avid skateboarder is responsible for creating the Santa Barbara-based shoe company Simple Shoes, which set itself apart during the 1990’s and 2000’s with simple marketing and a cool flair. Meyer eventually sold the company to Deckers Outdoor Corporation and years later he served as a planning commissioner for the city of San Luis Obispo and then the county. Today, Meyer is dedicated to bringing a massive network of interconnected off-highway bike paths to San Luis Obispo County.
Volunteer Awards
• Dr. Frank Martinez Superintendent/President’s Award: Anneka Scranton
Anneka Scranton holds a Ph.D. in Public Administration and is a retired USC professor, having taught social policy and non-profit management for 15 years. She is an active member of the Global Fund for Women, speaks at numerous local congregations, is a co-founder of People of Faith for Justice and sits on the Cuesta College Foundation Board.
• John Schaub Student Volunteer Award: Nicolas Lopez
First awarded in 2001, this award is given to a student whose community volunteer work best exemplifies the high standards established by the college’s first dean of students whose trailblazing work in creating programs for student success has helped thousands of students achieve their goals. Lopez is the founder and current president of the Black Student Union (BSU), an Associated Students of Cuesta College student club created in 2014. The club supports African American students and adds educational value to the entire college District regarding the success and history of African Americans. Lopez was recently also the only student to participate with Cuesta College administrators, faculty, and staff in a webinar entitled Men of Color from the Center for Community College Student Engagement (CCCSE). •
• Dr. Merlin E. Eisenbise Service in the Classroom Award: George Pudlo
George Pudlo moved from his homeland of Poland to San Luis Obispo in 1985 to work on the facilities at Diablo Canyon with Bechtel Corporation. He continues to reside in San Luis Obispo and today has 35 years of international experience practicing architectural design, construction and project management on various buildings. Pudlo has served as a member of the advisory committee with Central Coast STEM Education Collaborative and was involved with the planning of the Vandenberg Space Center. He is also a Cuesta College Foundation Board member.
• Betty Nielsen Volunteer of the Year Award: Ken Levine
Ken Levine is a retired veterinarian who owned and practiced at the South County Veterinary Clinic from 1962 to 1995. He has been active over the years in local professional and civic organizations, including serving as mayor of Arroyo Grande from 1970 to 1972 and on the Arroyo Grande City Council from 1965 to 1972. Levine has been a member of the Arroyo Grande Lions Club for over 50 years and has served on the Cuesta College Foundation Board since 1994.
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