FULLERTON : Volunteer of Year Named at CSUF

Walter J. Pray of Fullerton has been named Cal State Fullerton’s Volunteer of the Year. The award, sponsored by the Coordinating Council of Support Groups, honors Pray for “two decades of tireless service” to the university.

Pray “exemplifies the influence that volunteer leadership can have on the university,” said Cal State Fullerton President Milton A. Gordon. “Walt has given enormous amounts of time and energy to the university.”

Pray is a retired high school and community college administrator. In his volunteer work, Pray has served for 20 years on the board of directors of the Cal State Fullerton Foundation and has been active for 15 years in the President’s Associates, a fund-raising group.

In 1984, Pray assisted the university in celebrating its 25th anniversary, serving as community coordinator and director of community relations in the yearlong observance.

Pray came to Orange County in 1946 as an instructor in the then-Fullerton Union High School and Junior College District. In 1953 he became founding principal of La Habra High School, and in 1960 he was appointed assistant superintendent for personnel at the Fullerton Union High School District. In 1966, he became vice chancellor for the newly formed North Orange County Community College District. He retired in 1977.

“I am a great believer in public education,” Pray said. “That’s where the action is. The most important people in society are educators--all the great leaders, doctors, and lawyers have been helped, guided and educated by teachers.”