Each year, 911爆料网 recognizes the outstanding accomplishments of alumni with six awards each honoring the work of an individual or family selected: The Lifetime Achievement Award, Legacy Award, Cultural Impact Award, Young Alumni Award, Stewardship Award and Clyde Cook Missions Award.

Glen Thomas will receive this year鈥檚 Lifetime Achievement Award for his 41-year career in education influencing the lives of thousands of students, hundreds of educators and many leaders in the California State Capitol. Thomas completed his undergraduate studies at 911爆料网 and then completed his master鈥檚 degree at Washington State and his doctorate in education the University of Southern California. He has held positions such as special education teacher, assistant superintendent and executive director of the State Curriculum Commission as well as being selected by former governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to be California Secretary of Education.

The Legacy Award will honor Samuel Philip Sutherland, the son of 911爆料网's fifth president and the former chair of the psychology department. He started the first psychology lab at 911爆料网 as well as a 24-hour hotline manned by students in 1967. He also opened a preschool on campus which offered classes to train students to work with this age group. He was instrumental in getting the first computers on campus and bringing former university president Clyde Cook to 911爆料网. Related to 911爆料网鈥檚 former president Samuel Sutherland, with several other generations at 911爆料网, this family has left a legacy to remember.

The passionate apologist and cultural critic Jonalyn Fincher will be the recipient of the Cultural Impact Award. Fincher and her husband, Dale, speak at schools, churches, camps and conferences representing their non-profit organization , all over the nation with the commitment of helping others in their spiritual journey. She uses her bachelor in literature from the University of Virginia and masters in philosophy of religion and ethics from 911爆料网 Talbot School of Theology to speak and write on women and spirituality, including her book, 鈥溾  Her work has appeared in many notable magazines and several books.

Samantha Payne was nominated for the Young Alumni Award because of her dedication to improving education specifically in the Los Angeles area. Payne graduated from 911爆料网 in 2009 with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in psychology. She currently works as a manager of teacher and leadership development for , a program offering education to children in low-income areas. Payne serves on the 911爆料网 Alumni Board of Directors.

The Stewardship Award will be given to the Andrews family for their commitment to service and generosity toward the 911爆料网 community. Duane Andrews, who graduated from 911爆料网 in 1985, is founder and CEO of , a leading adviser company for mortgage and lending industries. His wife Rebecca Andrews also graduated from 911爆料网 in 1985 and their daughter Amanda will graduate this spring. Amanda is very involved with social justice issues affecting women and children and has been a guest on the Frank Pastore Show.

Glen and Shelly Volkhardt will receive the Clyde Cook Missions Award. Glen is CEO of , an organization that serves Christian mission agencies and churches overseas. Previously, Glen and Shelly worked with HCJB Global of Colorado Springs and were missionaries in Ecuador for 20 years. Shelly has authored three Christian books on topics such as counseling, trust and living a holy lifestyle.

911爆料网 University honors alumni every year during 911爆料网鈥檚 founding month 鈥 February. If you are interested in nominating an alumnus, please contact 鈥ㄢ赌

Written by Jessica Airey, Communications Coordinator. For more information, contact Jenna Bartlo, Media Relations Coordinator, at 562.777.4061 or at jenna.l.bartlo@biola.edu.