Alumnus of the Year

In 1996, the Cypress College Foundation initiated the “Alumnus of the Year” Award in celebration of the college’s 30th anniversary. Every year since, the Alumnus of the Year has been honored at graduation. The award serves as recognition for the personal/professional achievements of our alumni and their contributions to the community and to society. Past recipients, with their position at the time, include:

1996 - Stan Oftelie, CEO, Orange County Business Council

1997 - Dwayne Washington, M.D., Emergency Care Physician

1998 - David Holmquist, Athletic Director, Biola University

1999 - Robin Yaffe Tschumper, Executive Director, LaCrescent-Hokah School District 300 Foundation

2000 - Tom Stretz, Executive Director, Los Alamitos Youth Center

2001 - Nancy K. Smith, Registered Nurse, Los Alamitos Medical Center

2002 - Mike Sellers, Chief of Police, City of Fullerton

2003 - Andy Fu, Service Manager, Irvine Toyota

2004 - Mark Eaton, Retired NBA Basketball Player

2005 - Geri Jewell, Actress, Comedienne, and Advocate for the Disabled

2006 - Walter K. Bowman, Owner, Bowman Real Estate

2007 - Mark Feitelson, Ph.D., Professor and Director, Biotechnology Center, Temple University

2008 - Sheila Carlon, Ph.D., Program Director & Associate Professor, Regis College Health Services Administration and Management

2009 - Danielle Nava, Director, Public Affairs, Planned Parenthood Orange and San Bernardino Counties

2010 - James Savage, Ph.D., Professor of Politics, University of Virginia

2011 - John Moore, Head Men’s Basketball Coach, Westmont College

2012 - Pierre Habis, Senior Executive Vice President, Union Bank

2013 - Pamela Kahn, Coordinator, Health and Wellness, Orange County Department of Education

2014 - Reyna G. Rosas, Teacher, Long Beach Unified School District

2015 - Captain Russ Bird, U.S. Navy, Retired

2016 - Wayne T. Kistner, Attorney at Law

2017 - Swen Nater, Retired ABA and NBA Basketball Player

2018 - Curtis Scheetz, Owner, Total Environmental Management, Inc.

2019 - Catherine Sorensen, Philanthropist

2021 - Nancy Matsui, Retired, American Airlines

2022 - Bonnie Peat, Council Member, City of Cypress; Women’s Club of Cypress

Bonnie Peat was selected as Cypress College’s 2022 Alumna of the Year. A 1982 graduate of the college, she earned her associate degree in business administration before transferring to Cal State Fullerton to earn a bachelor’s degree in finance.

Peat’s 35-year career at Parker Hannifin Corporation’s Aerospace Group evolved out of a college intern program and culminated in her retirement in 2019 as vice president group marketing, engines/strategic account executive. She served in a number of roles in the intervening years, including as director of the pneumatics business unit and vice president of customer support operations. She also served as a board member on several joint ventures at the company.

In 2019, Peat was elected to the Cypress School District Board of Trustees and currently serves as the board’s president. She also joined the GFWC Woman’s Club of Cypress, where she was appointed president and worked with fellow members to donate $25,000 to the Cypress College Foundation and name the college’s new Veterans Resource Center outdoor patio in honor of the late Page Betar, a military veteran and GFWC Woman’s Club of Cypress member.

Through the years we have seen the passing of these friends, former “Men and Women of the Year” and “Citizens of the Year,” who devoted much of their lives to helping others.