California State University, Stanislaus

Fighting Through Physical Challenges and 20 Surgeries, Manny Alonzo Emerged as a Champion for Marginalized Communities

Stanislaus State proudly recognizes the outstanding academic achievements of students who have earned a place on the Fall 2024 Dean's List in the College of Education, Kinesiology and Social Work. This prestigious honor is awarded to students who have demonstrated superior academic performance by maintaining a grade point average of 3.5 or higher during the semester. The Dean's List is more than a recognition -- it reflects our students' determination and unwavering commitment to academic excellence. These high-achieving students exemplify discipline, perseverance and intellectual curiosity as they work to elevate their career trajectories and prepare to step confidently into the workforce. Their success speaks not only to personal achievement, but also to their readiness to lead, serve and make a meaningful impact in their communities and beyond.

Agriculture major Flint McGrath received a $25,000 Career Ready Agriculture Food Safety (CRAFS) Fellowship, part of a USDA grant awarded to launch a food safety certificate program. McGrath, graduating in December with a bachelor's in agriculture and a minor in economics, will use the award toward a master's degree to continue exploring ag. "The best way to honor this fellowship would be to step out and take some courses in food safety and learn more about biology, pathogens and entomology." McGrath said. "I want to continue to get a well-rounded appreciation of the field."

Phi Kappa Phi members nationwide have been selected to serve as officers for their local chapters.

As a top performing student, agriculture major Samuel Johnson of Escalon received the department's Outstanding Student Award at its 2022 Graduation Dinner. Three local businesses were also recognized for their ongoing contributions to the ag department and its students during the years of 2020, 2021 and 2022, despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Called the Roots Awards to symbolize steadfast and essential support, the honors went to Duarte Nursery, Inc. for 2020, Frantz Wholesale Nursery, LLC for 2021 and Yosemite Farm Credit for 2022.

Stan State communication studies major James Lane never expected his three-episode podcast Central Valley Trash Talk to win a national award. In fact, once he completed the time-consuming project focused on illegal roadside dumping, its causes and the cleanup efforts underway, he stopped thinking about it and started enjoying the extra downtime in his schedule.

Riley Nicole Taylor, Bethany Harper and Marcus Garrett Ruddicks thrived academically and earned cumulative 4.0 grade-point averages during their Warrior years. They share the 2021 Metzger-Geiger Award for their accomplishments.

Josue Montoya received the Stanislaus State Class of 2021 J. Burton Vasche Award, presented annually to the student who displays the highest standards of leadership, cooperation, participation, service and scholarship.

Bethany Saint-Smith had her poetry published in Scribendi, a magazine that features creative work from undergraduate honors students. Her poem "Church Dress" depicts Black childhood and mental health stigmas through the conversation of two Black girls. Saint-Smith was one of 18 poets selected from a pool of nearly 400 submissions. Her piece can be found in the 2022 edition of Scribendi. Saint-Smith is also a McNair Scholar and a member of Tri-Alpha, a national honor society for first-generation college students.

11 Stanislaus State computer science students participated in the Online Project-Based Software Coding Camp, joining 11 students from Tongmyong University in South Korea. Originally planned for last summer on the Stan State campus, the intensive four-week camp went virtual in the wake of COVID-19 and took place last month.

Stanislaus State's Jasmin Cornejo, Stephanie Gamboa and Vanessa Hernandez earned national recognition as Student Scholars of the Computing Alliance of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (CAHSI).

Two Stan State students were selected to attended the USDA's 2020 Agricultural Outlook Forum as participants of the USDA Future Leaders in Agriculture Program. These students participated in a weeklong trip to Washington, D.C., capped off by their attendance at the Forum, USDA's largest annual meeting, held February 20-21, 2020 in Arlington, Va.

Three Stan State students conducted their dissertation research related to community equity audits focused on "place, health, and education" under the advisement of Dr. Kathryn McKenzie. After defending their dissertation, they went on to translate their research into book form which is now promising to be a valuable resource for educational and community leaders.

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi is proud to announce the Session B recipients of a 2018 Love of Learning Award. The awards help fund post-baccalaureate studies and career development for active Society members.

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi is proud to announce the recipients of a 2015 Love of Learning Award from Session A of the program. The awards help fund post-baccalaureate studies and/or career development for active Phi Kappa Phi members.

The 2014 Phi Kappa Phi Biennial Convention, held August 7-9 in St. Louis, Mo., brought together more than 300 attendees including 175 chapter delegates.