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Melissa Utsuki
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Citrus College Honors Two Leaders During Alumni Month
Glendora, Calif. (May 31, 2019) – This May, Citrus College continues its eight-year tradition of celebrating Alumni Month.
Whether they graduated from the college years ago or recently transferred to a four-year institution, alumni play a significant role at Citrus College. Many are active with organizations on campus that support student success through networking and financial giving, such as the Citrus Alumni and Friends Association and the Citrus College Foundation. Others volunteer their time, ideas and resources to advance the college's mission within their professions and communities.
Perhaps the greatest contribution of Citrus College's alumni is serving as role models for current students. Their vision, hard work and service is exemplary, and their stories encourage students to pursue their academic and professional goals upon graduation.
"The incredible academic and professional successes of our alumni pave a path for future generations to follow," said Dr. Geraldine M. Perri, superintendent/president of Citrus College.
For over half a century, the college has highlighted alumni who have set an example through their professional and lifelong development, community service, and influence at Citrus College, and awarded them with the honorary title of Distinguished Alumni. Former recipients include medical professionals, lawyers, business executives, artists, educators, performers, civil servants and skilled workers.
The two Distinguished Alumni recipients for 2019 are Martin A. Gundersen, Ph.D., and Sal Medina.
A renowned electrical engineer and academic researcher, Dr. Gundersen has been an innovator and international leader in bioengineering and electrical pulsed power for over four decades. A member of the last graduating class of Citrus Union High School in 1958, Dr. Gundersen credits Citrus College with encouraging him to think seriously about his academic and career goals.
At the University of California, Berkeley, he graduated with a bachelor's degree in physics (1965) before earning his master's degree and Ph.D. in physics (1972) at the University of Southern California (USC). Dr. Gundersen taught and conducted research at Texas Tech University before accepting a faculty position at USC in 1980. His research interests, which have included the physics and applications of nanosecond pulsed power miniaturized for defense, consumer, agricultural, biological and medical applications, have earned him funding from the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation. Currently, Dr. Gundersen leads pulsed power research in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering.
Dr. Gundersen holds 10 U.S. patents and has delivered over 350 presentations. He has published more than 300 technical papers and a book. In 2015, Dr. Gundersen was named Citrus Community College Automotive Advisory Council member of the year.
Mr. Medina is a member of the Citrus College class of 1995 and a successful businessman and educator with deep roots in the San Gabriel Valley. An alumnus of Gladstone High School in Azusa, Mr. Medina enrolled at Citrus College to pursue a career in education, and cites Dr. Michael Hurtado and Dr. Dale Salwak as the instructors who had the greatest influence on him.
At the University of La Verne, Mr. Medina earned his bachelor's degree in political science (1998) and master's degree in education (2000) before accepting a position as a political science teacher at Monrovia High School. He soon became a popular instructor, known for his engaging style and ability to motivate students. In addition to teaching, Mr. Medina coached the girls' volleyball team and served as an advisor to the Key Club.
In 2007, Mr. Medina launched his own business: Packing House Wines. In its first year, Packing House Wines was recognized as the Claremont Chamber of Commerce "Business of the Year." Since then, it has developed from a small boutique to a full-sized wine bar and restaurant located in the Claremont Packing House, one of the most historic buildings in the Inland Empire. With a selection of wine unparalleled in California, Mr. Medina's dedication to quality has positioned Packing House Wines as a premier resource for wine connoisseurs in Southern California and across the country.
Recently, Congresswoman Judy Chu presented Mr. Medina with a Congressional Leadership Award as the "East San Gabriel Valley Businessperson of the Year" for California's 27th congressional district. As a lifelong educator, he takes pride in teaching his staff about the wine industry, and several of his past employees have gone on to successful careers in the hospitality industry as wine makers, owners, distributors and sommeliers.
In addition to receiving the Distinguished Alumni Award, Dr. Gundersen and Mr. Medina will be honored at Citrus College's 103rd annual commencement ceremony on Saturday, June 15. The two will then be celebrated by members of the college community at the annual Alumni Reception immediately following commencement.
To support student success or to share your own "Citrus Story," contact the Citrus College Foundation at foundation@citruscollege.edu or visit www.citruscollege.edu/foundation
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