Campus News 2003-2004 Academic Year

Gil Gonzales'03 and Pitzer Honored for Civic Engagement

March 18, 2004

Gilbert Videl Gonzales '03, received the Against the Odds Award at the 20th Annual COOL Idealist National Conference at the University of Pennsylvania. Gonzales works as an Irvine Diversity Post Baccalaureate Urban Fellow with the Center for California Cultural and Social Issues at Pitzer College. Gonzales' award recognizes a student who has overcome great personal or institutional barriers to serve his or her community.

Pitzer was honored with the Idealism in Action campus award, which recognizes a campus that has demonstrated depth and breadth in its commitment to civic engagement.

The COOL and Idealist Awards recognize the excellence of individuals and campuses across the country who, by their commitment to student involvement in communities, have successfully brought the power and impact of youth civic engagement to the foreground of student, campus, and community life.  Gonzales attended the conference March 12-14 in Philadelphia where he and Pitzer were honored from among 3,000 students and administrators and nearly 200 colleges and universities.  

"This is an award that we should be very proud of and thank you to Susan Phillips, director of CCCSI, for nominating me and Pitzer for these awards," Gonzales said. "Susan put in a lot of time in submitting these materials and we should be very grateful for her work. The award was given to President Trombley last Monday."

Gonzales, originally from Fresno, majored in Political Studies and Media Studies at Pitzer. He is a finalist for the CORO Fellows Program in Public Affairs. After completing another fellowship he will tackle law school.

Pitzer College congratulates Gil Gonzales for this outstanding achievement. His dedication to community outreach serves as a model for the College's faculty, staff and students.

Related Link:
CCCSI Website