"At the opening of the University, it seems most appropriate that the person responsible [for bringing a university to Ventura County] should be recognized and honored broadly for the work he did for this region."
-President Richard R. Rush, speaking of J. Handel Evans' contribution to the establishment of Cal State Channel Islands.
Nearly 400 friends and supporters of the University joined President Richard R. Rush for the third annual President's Dinner on August 17. The black-tie event celebrated the official opening of the University and honored J. Handel Evans, now president emeritus of California State University Channel Islands.
President Rush presented Evans with the University's first Presidential Medallion - the highest honor bestowed by the University - in recognition of Evans' work in building community support and lobbying for funds to open Cal State Channel Islands.
In presenting the Medallion, President Rush said, "When the right man came along, it all came into place. He was the man to take the aspirations of decades and turn those aspirations into a plan that was realized yesterday with the opening of Cal State Channel Islands. In the future, the medallion will be given to a person or persons who have performed exemplary service to the University."
Receiving a standing ovation, Evans acknowledged the many people who helped in the effort to open Ventura County's four-year, public university. "I remember saying to Carmen [Smith, his former assistant], 'How do you build a university?'" Evans recalled. "The way you start it is very simple. You get someone to help you and believe in what you are doing. And then they go and get someone, and so on and so on."
Several students entering Cal State Channel Islands' first class were on hand, along with several from the CSU Northridge off-campus center. University Foundation Board member and the evening's Master of Ceremonies Mark Lisagor said, "We're happily here this evening not only to celebrate our long-awaited dream but also to celebrate our first-class students."