Donya Rouzbehi
Sports Editor
The Ludwick Center for Spirituality, Cultural Understanding and Community Engagement hosted the 12th annual Spirit of La Verne Recognition Ceremony on Tuesday in the Sacred Space.
Students, faculty and administrators were honored for their efforts and their embodiment of the University’s values.
Students honored this year included Justin Castañeda, sophomore criminology major; Jasmine Gutierrez, senior psychology major; Hiba Hansali, senior political science major; Brianna Morris, junior chemistry major; and Sophia Santana, senior biology major.
Administrators, faculty and staff honored were Shannon Mathews, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; Debbie Deacy, executive director of purchasing and procurement services; Alan Tollefson, theatre technical director; and Dane Sawyer, instructor of philosophy and religion.
Special Honors this year went to Carlos Cervantes, associate dean for academic and career success; and Scott Forsyth in facilities management.
Provost Ken O’Donnell introduced the 2026 Newman Civic Fellows Award, which is given to a student each year for their outstanding civic and community engagement.
This award is named in honor of Frank Newman, co-founder of campus compact, a national coalition of more than 1,100 college and university presidents who were committed to fulfilling civic purposes in higher education.
This award went to Castañeda, who was nominated by President Risa Dickson.
Castañeda, a sophomore criminology major, was honored for his involvement and leadership via his role as a student admission ambassador, his participation with the Lordsburg Speech and Debate team, with Model United Nations and more.
“I’m feeling very honored and appreciated,” Castañeda said. “I love giving back to the community that gave to me.”
Julissa Espinoza, director for the office of civic and community engagement, introduced the La Verne’s Civic and Community Engagement award, which went to Sawyer for his contributions.
Among them, Sawyer dedicated 140 hours to community engagement projects over the years including participating annually in the Flex and new student community engagement day.
He has also led a group of students to do community service with the Assistance League of Pomona Valley, a local non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and families in Pomona.
“There are many things that faculty can be recognized for, like scholarship and teaching,” Sawyer said. “But to be recognized in terms of the Spirit of La Verne and embodying the values of the institution, particularly, feels very special to me. As a graduate from here, I felt so impacted by the wonderful faculty that I had here and I wouldn’t be the person I am today without them.”
Stacey Strickland, adjunct instructor of dance and Black Student Union advisor, then announced the 2026 Inclusive Excellence and Mission Integration award, which went to Morris, junior chemistry major.
Morris earned this award through her ambition to earn two doctorates, including a doctor of pharmacy degree. Her academic focus is rooted in her commitment to transform high stakes and uncertainty into expertise and accessibility.
“I did not expect to get the award,” Morris said. “I think many of the things that I do are things that I do for my heart. It’s mostly my faculty who really drive me to create the spaces and lead, even when I’m in a hardship.”
Mathews was recognized for her leadership of the College of Arts and Sciences. Mathews has also conducted workshops on gender and cultural components of leadership that are often overlooked. And she was honored for leading the college with integrity and compassion.
“When you are committed to making the world around you better,” Mathews said. “It does actually get seen. I want to say thank you to the community in the room, from students to faculty to staff to administrators. It is because we work together, that we can as a community recognize individuals at moments like this.”
Donya Rouzbehi can be reached at donya.rouzbehi@laverne.edu.
Donya Rouzbehi is a senior journalism major with a concentration in print/online journalism, and staff photographer for the Campus Times and La Verne Magazine. She has previously served as sports editor and a staff writer for the Campus Times, and is co-editor-in-chief of La Verne Magazine. Her other writing can be found at trillmag.com/author/donya-rouzbehi
Joseph Nocero is a senior photography major at the University of La Verne and a staff photographer for the Campus Times and photography editor for La Verne Magazine. His work can also be found at Joseph Nocero Photography.
