California State University, Stanislaus
06/26/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/26/2024 17:14
Celebrating Campus and Community Connections
In one of her final official acts as interim president of Stanislaus State, a year she spent helping to uplift students, faculty and staff with her enthusiasm and dedication, Sue Borrego honored four people who shared her commitment and selflessness by awarding them the Presidential Medal.
Borrego bestowed the Presidential Medal to Mike Staack, Amy Bublak, Jeffrey Lewis and Adrian Harrell at the June 20 Stanislaus State Foundation Board meeting.
One of the University's highest honors, the medal recognizes members of the campus or community who have exhibited an exemplary record of service, dedicated leadership and support of Stanislaus State and the community. The accolade acknowledges their contribution to the fulfillment of the campus' mission, vision, values and goals.
Bublak was instrumental in reconnecting the University with the City of Turlock.
The first woman to run for and be elected as the mayor of Turlock, at Stan State Bublak was an All-American in track and field for shot put and javelin, was twice elected president of Associated Students, Inc. and earned her Bachelor of Arts in 1989 and her Master of Public Administration in 1995.
"During my time here, we have had lots of conversations and opportunities to work at how we connect the campus and the community better," Borrego said.
Together, Borrego and Bublak engaged University and city leadership in visits and conversations, re-engaging the many alumni who work for the city. One result of those connections is the hanging of Stan State banners in various locations across Turlock
For Bublak, inducted into the Warrior Athletics Hall of Fame in 2001, it was an invitation to reconnect with an institution that was instrumental in her life.
"I am so proud that I became a Warrior," Bublak said. "I'm glad that I chose to come here. Everyone embraced me - faculty, staff and students. They saw potential in me that I didn't see in me.
"Being a Warrior has made me who I am. I'm very thankful for this honor. And I really appreciate you reaching across to get us back to having the city embrace our University."
Harrell only lost touch with the University when she graduated with degrees in sociology and French and moved to Paris to begin her career.
Upon her return, she founded her business, New Bridge Management, in Turlock and went to work building Stan State's alumni network. She became a member of the Alumni Council in 2014 and was elected to be a director on the Foundation Board in 2020.
From the time Borrego was driving north from her Southern California home to assume the role of interim president, Harrell had her on the phone, first to invite her to dinner and second to pepper her with important questions.
"When I talk about Adrian asking all the time about how we include alumni, it was because she so wants to see us be all we can be," Borrego said. "She has been a friend of the University for a very long time, and I am fortunate she's become a friend of mine."
Harrell said she was "humbled" by the award.
"Recently, I was asked by a very smart person, 'What do you want to do?' I realized at that moment that I'm doing exactly what I want to do. I am giving back to the University, to an organization, to a people that mean the world to me," Harrell said.
As she shared a vision of continuing to reach out to alumni and providing opportunities for them to be an indelible part of the fabric of Stan State, Harrell thanked Borrego.
"Under your guidance and leadership, you have propelled us in ways that are going to have a lasting impact on all of us. Thank you for your service," Harrell said.
Lewis, too, was grateful for his association with Borrego.
"Sue Borrego, who joined this community 11 months ago, very quickly demonstrated incredible brilliance, caring and courage. You stole many hearts, particularly mine," Lewis said. "I'm an investor of hope, steadfast in the belief for positive transformation, driven by unwavering optimism, and always seeking to inspire or catalyze change."
As chief operating officer of Legacy Health Endowment, Lewis has changed the lives of countless Stan State students, instrumental in facilitating scholarships and financial support for students pursuing a nursing degree.
"Being a Warrior has made me who I am. I'm very thankful for this honor. And I really appreciate you reaching across to get us back to having the city embrace our University."
Stan State Alumna and City of Turlock Mayor Amy Bublak ('89)
That's only a part of his work.
"He describes waking up every day with a smile on his face because he gets to do work that makes a difference in the lives of others," Borrego said. "He's a visionary and innovative change maker. Whether it's public policy, philanthropy, growing the number of nurses serving the Central Valley or dealing with a call that comes one morning from a mother who doesn't have a wheelchair for a child. He's an investor in the promise of tomorrow.
"He's constantly, I think every day, asking, 'What can we do?'"
What he and others are doing is making a difference, according to Staack, who was presented with the Presidential Medal the next day during a meeting of the Greater Kiwanis Club of Turlock, where he currently serves as president.
Interim President Sue Borrego presented a Presidential Medal to Mike Staack (left) at the June 21 meeting of the Greater Kiwanis Club of Turlock, where he currently serves as president.The almond grower is a proud booster of Stan State men's basketball and other athletics programs.
His wife attended the University, and his daughter earned a bachelor's degree in communication studies.
"These are the details that describe Mike, but they don't tell you about his heart for others, his constant involvement in wanting to make life better," Borrego said. "He must say to me six times every time I see him that we are better together."