Distinguished alumni lauded

A leader in emergency medical services, an attorney dedicated to serving Native American tribal interests, a man credited with revolutionizing Australian viticulture and longtime volunteers are among the UC Davis alumni who were honored for their outstanding personal and professional accomplishments at an event on campus Saturday, Oct. 9.

The Cal Aggie Alumni Association's 2004 Alumni Awards, including a dinner and an awards ceremony, were held in the ballroom of the new Activities and Recreation Center.

Outstanding Alumnus Award -- Robert Steven Tharratt, who earned a master of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in 2001, was one of two physicians accompanying the Sacramento Urban Search and Rescue Team to the World Trade Center collapse on 9/11. Chief of clinical pharmacology and medical toxicology for the UC Davis Medical Center, Tharratt is also the medical director for Sacramento County's Office of Emergency Medical Services and other public safety agencies. Tharratt lends his expertise in emergency services and terrorism to many governmental organizations.

Young Alumna Award -- Christina Kirk Kazhe '93 is an attorney dedicated to serving tribal interests. As partner in the Sacramento law firm Monteau & Peebles, she represents tribes throughout the United States. Kazhe also chairs the alumni association's Native American Alumni Society, is a member of the Sacramento County Women's Bar Association and participates in many tribal and local organizations.

Emil M. Mrak International Award -- Richard Cirami '63, master of science '68, has worked with the South Australian Department of Agriculture, Cirami has revolutionized Australian viticulture, improving the production and quality of the nation's vineyards and contributing to the success of the Australian wine industry. In 2003, Cirami received the Order of Australia Medal for services to viticulture.

Jerry W. Fielder Memorial Award -- Meg Stallard '68 and Tom Stallard '68, juris doctorate '75. Meg Stallard recently completed seven years on the alumni association's board of directors, the last two as president and ex officio trustee of the UC Davis Foundation. Both Stallards now serve on the foundation board and have also participated on several other university committees and boards, including serving as co-chairs of the Davis Chancellor's Club. They are also actively involved in the Woodland community.

Distinguished Achievement Award -- Joseph Lin, who received a doctoral degree in 1975, is owner of Linbro Inc. in San Rafael and has been an active volunteer for UC Davis and the community for over 25 years. Lin serves on the dean's advisory committee for the Division of Biological Sciences in support of an effort to build new facilities for plant biology programs. He also works to promote the division with Sacramento's Chinese American business and community leaders. He also has worked on the campaign to build Sutter Davis Hospital.

Aggie Service Award -- Carol Sconyers '52 recently ended her three-year term as president of Friends of Mondavi Center and has been a member of the executive board of the organization for seven years. She sits on the arts education committee of the new advisory Mondavi Center Board. A former elementary school teacher and librarian, Sconyers volunteers with alumni association's student receptions, student recruitment and scholarship efforts, and AggieAdvocates legislative advocacy program.

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Amy Agronis, Dateline, (530) 752-1932, abagronis@ucdavis.edu

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