On Thursday October 27, Golden West College held its annual Courtyard of Honor Ceremony to recognize the recipients of the Alumni Pillars of Achievement and Pillars of Support.
Alumni Pillar of Achievement recipients are recognized for notable achievement in their field of endeavor after leaving GWC for 10 years or more. Eligible nominees completed 30 units or more at Golden West.
This year’s honored alumni were Wendy Lowenberg-Escobedo, R.N., Nursing, Chief Paul A. Sorrell, Community Policing, and Richard P. Towle, Cosmetology.
The Alumni Pillar of Achievement program was initiated in 1991. Since then there have been a total of 89 inductees.
A Pillar of Support represents a cash gift from an individual or business of $25,000 or higher. The first Pillars of Support were inducted in 1995, and since that time, Golden West College has inducted 69 Pillars.
Three new Pillars were added this year — The Jo and Jim Andrews Pillar, The Olmsted & Associates Accountancy Corporation Pillar, and The Robert and Kathy Smith Pillar.
Individuals and businesses who moved up to the level of Golden Society ($10,000 to $24,999) on the Courtyard Donor Wall were also acknowledged: The American Association of University Women (AAUW); Bonnie and Robert Castrey; Sally Coffey; Mr. and Mrs. Milton Gabraith; David and Cheryl Hadley; and Tom Hersh.
When closing the ceremony, President Wes Bryan stated that this is his favorite event, and remarked, “This is the event that tells our college story better than any other college-wide event. Courtyard of Honor celebrates what individuals did with their education and thanks those who keep making it possible.”
Golden West College congratulates our honored alumni and salutes the individuals and businesses that support higher education to ensure our students’ success!
