2016 Li'i Pearl Prize Winners

Congratulations to Charles (Chaz) Lemley and Heather Simmons, our 2016 Li'i Pearl Prize Winners!

Chaz Lemley, who is close to finishing his MA, has been the sole tutor working in the Writing Center at the Antelope Valley campus, keeping that service available to AV students as many hours as humanly possible and budget-allowed. He designed GWAR preparation workshops, which he holds for AV students the day before their scheduled exams each quarter, and the GWAR pass rates for the AV students has continually increased to the point where last quarter, every AV student who took the exam earned a passing score. He is also currently in the TA program.

Heather Simmons came to CSUB from Bakersfield College in Fall 2015, having graduated Summa Cum Laude and having been published in BC’s online journal, The Roughneck Review (Spring 2015 issue). She was also a member of Phi Theta Kappa at BC (a community college honor society). As the following list of accomplishments will attest, Heather’s transition to CSUB has been smooth: her CSUB GPA is 3.95; she is a member of the University Singers; she was a reporter (named “Staff MVP”) for The Runner during Fall 2015 (and she still freelances); she is English Club Treasurer; she participates in a group that gives volunteer vocal performances at Tehachapi Senior Center; she appeared in CSUB’s Theatre of New Voices (February, 2016) and in “Gary Stu/Mary Sue” (produced by the CSUB Film Club, Winter 2016); she is on the Dean’s List (Fall 2015-Winter 2016); she is a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success and also of Alpha Chi Honor Society; and she is a founding member and the current president of Club Anchor for students with disabilities. One of her personal goals is to utilize her talents in representing and enhancing the lives of persons with disabilities.