A Cal State Fullerton biologist and three students were lauded in the fall by the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans at its National Diversity in STEM Conference in Salt Lake City.

Bill Hoese, professor of biological science, won the outstanding college/university mentor award for his “exemplary service and deep commitment” to students, particularly underrepresented future scientists.

“I really groove on that ‘aha moment’ when things just click for students — and whole new worlds open up,” said Hoese, who has taught at CSUF since 2000.

Hoese co-directs the Southern California Ecosystems Research Program and has mentored hundreds of students, including many first-generation college students. More than 50 alumni he has taught over the years are working in science or have become science teachers.

SCERP scholar Kyle Gunther, a senior biological science major who received an award for his research on fennel at last year’s SACNAS conference, said Hoese has had a positive impact on students: “I think any past or present SCERP scholar would agree that he would do all in his power to see his students get the most out of their education.”

Kristy L. Forsgren, assistant professor of biological science, who nominated Hoese on behalf of faculty, called him a “champion of undergraduate success.”

CSUF students Erick Aguinaldo, Christian Do and Adriana Solis each received a student presentation award for their research.

Aguinaldo, a senior psychology major, presented research that examined the effects of sexually objectifying language on academic performance and body perception. He plans to earn a doctorate and pursue a career in academia.

Solis, a student in the Pre-Health Professions Postbaccalaureate Program, presented her research on college students’ chemistry self-efficacy and its relationship with classroom teaching and students’ learning strategies. Her career goal is to become a primary care physician and establish a health community center in her hometown of Santa Ana.

More than 1,000 students from colleges across the country presented their work at the conference.

Gift launches communications endowment for grad students

A $100,000 gift to Cal State Fullerton’s College of Communications from the California Scottish Rite Foundation launches an endowment for graduate students in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders.

The endowment, the first for the department, will provide scholarships for master’s degree candidates who plan to pursue careers as speech-language pathologists and help children with speech-language disorders.

“The donation will allow students to focus less on working outside their desired careers and more on the graduate study and clinical experience required to become certified and licensed speech language pathologists and audiologists prepared for the complex and changing demands of the 21st century,” said HyeKyeung Seung, professor and department chair.

The California Scottish Rite Foundation, based in Santa Ana, supports student and professional education and training in preventing and treating childhood language disorders.

Alum named chair of Segerstrom Center

Mark C. Perry has been elected chairman of the board of Segerstrom Center for the Arts, the nonprofit arts venue announced Dec. 14. Perry earned his master’s in business administration from Cal State Fullerton.

Perry is a longtime supporter of the center and has been a member of its board since 2011. Most recently, Perry and his wife, Carol, chaired Segerstrom’s 44th annual Candlelight Concert featuring Grammy-winning singer Michael Bolton and classic rock band Chicago.

Perry, a Whittier native, is executive vice chairman for the Global Commercial Bank for Bank of America Merrill Lynch. He will serve a three-year term.

“It is an honor to serve as Segerstrom Center’s chairman,´ said Perry. “At the heart of the center, I have felt an extraordinary passion and commitment both to the arts and to this community.”

Student recognized for campus activism

Cal State Fullerton student Brooke Paz is one of 15 nominees for the inaugural edition of Campus Reform’s Higher Ed Heroes.

Paz, president of CSUF Students for Life of America and event coordinator for the university’s College Republicans chapter, was nominated as a rising conservative activist. Earlier this year, Paz was one of three CSUF students who participated in efforts to recall state Sen. Josh Newman, D-Fullerton.

Campus Reform is a project of the Leadership Institute, which describes itself as providing training in campaigns, fundraising, grass-roots organizing, youth politics and communications to conservatives of all ages.

— Wendy Fawthrop