Celebrating Our 2022 Distinguished Alumni
Tracy Butts (Dean, HFA), Douglas Leiker (Õ75, HFA), Angela Trethewey (Dean, CME), Rashell Brobst (Õ95, CME), David Hassenzahl (Dean, NSC), Monica Soderstrom (Õ85 NSC), Eddie Vela (Dean, BSS), Kathleen Grave (Õ82 BSS), Terence Lau (Dean, BUS), Bill Dodd, (Õ78 BUS), Blake Wentz (Dean, ECC), Dan Wheeler (Õ93 ECC) and President Gayle Hutchinson (left to right) on Friday, March 25, 2022 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/University Photographer/Chico State)
At Chico State, we recognize our outstanding alumni for many reasons. As leaders in their professions, we depend on them to ensure the excellence and integrity of our academic programs, while acting as an enduring inspiration to our students, faculty, and staff. Through their work and their service, they are an inspiration to us all, but especially our students as they, too, hope to transform tomorrow.
On March 25, we celebrated our most talented and successful alumni, affirming the vivacity and contributions they bring to the legacy of Chico State. Not only do the 2022 Distinguished Alumni honorees reflect our longstanding University values, but they have led exceptional lives and made a profound impact through their careers.
Please join me in congratulating our 2022 Distinguished Alumni!
College of Behavioral and Social Sciences
Kathleen Grave
Social Science, ’82
Co-founder and CEO at InBold Inc./Lassen Labs
Grave has worked in Silicon Valley, taught at Pepperdine University, and is CEO of a science-backed cannabinoid company setting out to transform the healthcare industry.
College of Business
Bill Dodd
Business Administration, ’78
State Representative, California’s 3rd Senate District
After owning and operating one of the largest full-service Culligan Water companies in California, Dodd has spent more than 20 years in local and state government.
College of Communication and Education
Rashell Brobst
Recreation Administration, ’95
CEO, Boys and Girls Clubs of the North Valley
As a first-generation college graduate, Brobst channels her passion into serving the needs of underserved youth in her community.
College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Construction Management
Dan Wheeler
Construction Management, ’93
Vice President, Turner Construction Company
As an executive at Turner Construction, Wheeler has put up new buildings on campus, recruited more than 100 Chico State grads, and mentored countless more.
College of Humanities and Fine Arts
Douglas Leiker
English, Humanities, ’75
Founder and Owner, Warm Earth Pottery and Warm Earth Cosmetics
After establishing a pottery business post-graduation, Leiker realized an opportunity to expand into the cosmetics market. His business now has sales worldwide.
College of Natural Sciences
Monica Soderstrom
Nursing, ’85
Nursing Division Director, Butte County Public Health Department
Whether working in a Haitian orphanage after graduation or supporting nurses during the Camp Fire, the public health needs of her community have always been the core of Soderstrom’s work.
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