Alan Llavore | Office of Marketing and Communications | (909) 537-5007 | allavore@csusb.edu
Late last fall, California State University, San Bernardino announced its annual Alumni Hall of Fame Awards to recognize the professional accomplishments and community service of distinguished alumni.
The alumni will be honored during a dinner and awards ceremony on Friday, April 25, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Alumni Center.
While three university-wide awards will recognize a Distinguished Alumnus, an Emerging Leader and a Coyote Spirit awardee, the Paw Print Awards will celebrate alumni from the university's five colleges for their exemplary accomplishments that embody the spirit of their academic college and discipline.
"Our alumni are a source of immense pride for our university," said CSUSB President Tomás D. Morales. "The Paw Print Awards allow us to celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of alumni from each of our five colleges, recognizing their leadership, innovation and dedication to their fields and communities. These honorees inspire us all with their contributions and illustrate the transformative power of a CSUSB education."
The 2025 Paw Print Awardees are:
Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration
Lt. Col. Jeffrey S. Lehmkuhl ’05, B.A., Management
Lt. Col. Jeffrey S. Lehmkuhl, a pilot and squadron commander in the U.S. Air Force, is FAA-certified in multiple aircrafts and as a flight instructor. After earning his degree at CSUSB, he completed advanced degrees in public management and strategic security studies, alongside numerous certifications. He serves on the Alumni Executive Board for the College of International Security Affairs in Washington, D.C.
College of Natural Sciences
Kathleen E. Elison ’12, B.S., Chemistry/Biochemistry
Kathleen Elison is co-founder and senior scientist at Terray Therapeutics, specializing in AI-driven drug discovery. She earned her Ph.D. in biology from the Beckman Research Institute at City of Hope. Her groundbreaking work at Terray was featured in a 2024 New York Times article on AI revolutionizing drug development.
College of Arts and Letters
ValLimar Jansen ’90, B.A., Theatre Arts
ValLimar Jansen, president of A Fire Within Music, is a singer, composer, and inspirational speaker. Known for her work in contemporary Christian music, she has toured internationally and earned two 2008 UNITY Awards for Gospel music with her husband, Frank Jansen.
James R. Watson and Judy Rodriguez Watson College of Education
Mauricio V. Arellano ’96, M.A., Educational Administration
Mauricio Arellano, superintendent of San Bernardino City Unified School District, oversees 73 schools and 46,000 students. A first-generation college graduate, he began his career as a bilingual teacher in the district. He has been widely recognized for his leadership, including being named U.C. Davis C-STEM Superintendent of the Year in 2020.
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Wayne M. Harp ’72, B.A., Sociology
Wayne Harp served the city of San Bernardino for more than 33 years, including as acting chief of police. A proud Golden Grad, he and his wife, fellow CSUSB alumna Anita Harp, remain active in their Highland community.
For more information, visit the Alumni Hall of Fame Celebration website, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at (909) 537-3700 or email alumni@csusb.edu. The office provides opportunities for alumni to connect with each other and their alma mater and for CSUSB graduates to mentor and support current students through volunteer opportunities.