(from left) Ronald W. Stovitz '64, Incoming President of UCR Alumni Association, Dean Patricia O'Brien, John V. Stroud '61, President 2003-04 of UCR Alumni Association

The 2004 UCR Alumni Association Distinguished Service Award recipient is Patricia O'Brien, who served as Dean of the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences for nearly five years. Dr. O'Brien was recognized at the Alumni Association's Annual Meeting on May 27, 2004.

Kyle D. Hoffman, Assistant Vice Chancellor of Alumni and Constituent Relations & Executive Director of UCR Alumni Association, recognized Dean O'Brien at the Alumni Association's Annual Meeting, "For nearly five years, Dean O’Brien led the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences with vision and great judgment. During that time, she worked in close collaboration with UCR’s other college deans to develop new inter-disciplinary programs, enhanced existing distinguished programs, and developed new initiatives, like the Center of California Native Nations and a program in Southeast Asian Studies, were developed.

Pat is an outstanding spokesperson for the arts, culture, and the humanities, with a special gift for inspiring her colleagues and the public. She worked closely with the Riverside arts community and other local institutions of higher education to promote national recognition for Riverside as the center of arts and culture in the Inland Empire."

The UCR Alumni Association established the Distinguished Service Award in 1991 to recognize faculty or administrators for their service to the campus and commitment to the Alumni Association.

The award is presented in recognition of time and service to the Alumni Association; longstanding, widely recognized, quality instruction; or for a record of longstanding service to students.

Past Distinguished Service Award Recipients:

• 2003 David H. Warren, former Executive Vice Chancellor, UCR
• 2002 Ray and Eva Orbach, Chancellor Emeritus, UCR
• 2001 Al Page '56, Professor of Soil Science and Chemist Emeritus
• 2000 Sally S. Dow, former Alumni Director, UCR
• 1999 James H. Erickson, Vice Chancellor Emeritus, University Advancement, UCR
• 1998 Irving Hendrick, Professor and Dean Emeritus, of the Graduate School of Education, UCR
• 1997 William B. Baker, former Vice President of University and External Relations, UC
• 1996 Charles E. Young '55, Chancellor Emeritus, UCLA
• 1994 Ivan and Birk Hinderaker, Chancellor Emeritus, UCR
• 1993 Robert L. Wild, Professor Emeritus, Physics, UCR
• 1992 Francis M. Carney, Professor Emeritus, Political Science, UCR
• 1991 Robert Herschler, former Registrar, UCR