CSUEB Seattle event draws Pioneer alumni to Capitol Hill Garden

• October 8, 2013 5:00am

The Second Annual Puget Sound Area Alumni Event on Sept. 12 spotlighted three alumni who  shared their stories.  Hosted by Greg Dallaire'69 and his wife, June, in their beautiful home and gardens in the stately Capitol Hill Neighborhood of Seattle, the event provided a gathering place for alumni representing diverse majors and fields to meet and network with each other.  One thing they all had in common:  Cal State East Bay made a difference in their lives.

Alumni Director Penny Peak introduced featured guest Brent Kline ’88 (BA, music), principal of Mariner High School in Everett, announcing that he has been honored by the Association of Washington School Principals as 2013 Washington State High School Teacher of the Year in recognition of his outstanding work to improve student learning.  Brent was also one of three principals in the country selected as finalists for the 2014 MetLife/NASSP National High School Principal of the Year Award.  His many achievements include increasing the percentage of students who meet algebra standards from 30 percent to 75 percent in six years. 

Two alumni spoke about their recent decisions to establish scholarships at Cal State East Bay.  Mark Hennings ’84,business administration, president of Harris Supply Solutions, attended the university’s first Puget Sound Area alumni event last fall and told attendees he appreciated the opportunity to reconnect with his alma mater.  He also discussed his experience working through college, remembering his struggle to pay for expenses.  He shared his pride in being able to make college more affordable for current students through his new scholarship endowment, which will support students in Cal State East Bay’s College of Business and Economics.

Terence Buencamino ‘00, MS computer science, is funding a permanent scholarship endowment in computer science that honors his late parents, Drs. Alice and Victor Buencamino. Terence recalled the morale boost he received as a recipient of a $1,000 Chevron scholarship at Cal State East Bay, as well as the practical help it provided in covering some of his expenses. He said he is pleased to partner with Computer Science Professor Edna Reiter to create a new scholarship that will assist students in perpetuity.

Following remarks, the guests introduced themselves, sharing their gratitude to professors and great experiences at Cal State East Bay that have helped them in their lives. Guests in attendance represented fields including law, education, computer science, corporate security, corporate consulting, finance and computer animation.

Special thanks to the event sponsors for making the memorable evening possible:  Greg Dallaire ’69 and June Dallaire, George ’83, ’87 and Nancy Greer, Jan Kendle ’75, and Kenneth Payson ’93 and Monica Payson. Alumni also had the opportunity to sample alumni wines courtesy of alumnus Dennis Cakebread of Cakebread Cellars in Rutherford and Beth Summers ’86 of Summers Estate Wines in Calistoga. View photos of the Second Annual Puget Sound Alumni Event

To learn more about Pioneer Alumni Events, visit: events

To join the Cal State East Bay Alumni Association as a member or give online, visit: friends

PP