Professors, Students Recognized at CSUN

About 150 Cal State Northridge faculty members, students and alumni gathered in front of the Oviatt Library on Wednesday morning for an annual ceremony honoring professors and students for their service and dedication.

Each semester, the campus chapter of the Blue Key Leadership Honor Society buys a new flag to be flown over the library and presents the “retired” flags in March to the faculty members being honored.

“This is to give back to a campus that offers us such great opportunities for personal and professional growth and development,” said Sony Smith, president of the campus chapter.

Receiving flags were Thomas Piernik, director of Student Development and International Programs, who won the “Accessible Leadership to the Student Body and Faculty” award, and sociology professor Jane Prather, who won the “Wholehearted Compassion and Dedication to the Students” award.

Gerry Luethy, professor of family studies, also won the “Wholehearted Compassion and Dedication to Teaching” award.

Students Trish Fair, Tammy Clark and Craig Moss and staff member Karen Holmes were recognized for their leadership.

Some in the audience gushed about the honorees.

“[Luethy] is just incredible,” said Sheila McCutcheon, a graduate student who says the professor is her mentor. “Her office is always open, she’s always there.”

The fourth annual ceremony ended with the dedication and raising of a new flag as the university’s chorus sang the national anthem.