Alumni Event in Orange Co. Draws Calls for Leadership

National University graduates were called upon to fill important leadership roles within the institutions and organizations of Orange County, as more than 35 guests gathered at an Alumni Reconnect Event in Costa Mesa on Tuesday, November 14.

Keynote speaker and National University alumnus Sal Tinajero (MS, Education 2006) called upon teachers in particular to rise to the occasion.

"I can't tell you how much we need teachers on school boards," said the award-winning coach of Fullerton High School's speech and debate team, who is stepping down as school board member  after being elected recently to the Santa Ana City Council. 

Fullerton Union High School's speech and debate team ranks as the defending Orange County champion and is one of the state's top programs. Virtually all of Mr. Tinajero's debate students have gone on to college, many earning full scholarships to prominent universities throughout the country.  In recognition of his achievements, Mr. Tinajero was named Hispanic Magazine's 2006 Teacher of the Year, which earned him a trip to the White House and an audience with First Lady Laura Bush. 

Mr. Tinajero, who has started a speech league among Santa Ana's intermediate schools, is an outspoken advocate of the spoken word, and emphasized the importance of oratory skills at the November 14 event. "When I joined the speech team as a student at Orange Coast College, I didn't realize at first what doors had opened for me," he said.  Improving his linguistic skills transformed the self-doubting youngster into one of his community's most active leaders, and now he is encouraging others to take charge and get involved.

Alumnus Adam Buttons (BS, Criminal Justice, 2000/MPA, 2002) reiterated Mr. Tinajero's call for an actively engaged alumni within Orange County.  Mr. Buttons, the son of Academy Award-winning actor Red Buttons who is himself an actor and producer, said he is affiliated with numerous area service organizations, including the children's needs task force for the City of Huntington Beach and the Huntington Beach Masonic Lodge, No. 380, many of which are actively courting and developing community leaders.  "These organizations are actively seeking new members who can inject fresh ideas and enthusiasm," he added. "I encourage more alumni to get involved."

Alumnus Robert Henry (MBA, 1998) , a board member with the Veteran's Employment Committee of Orange County and a specialist in human resources and training and development, offered a valuable contact to those interested in Orange County area human resource organizations. The retired U.S. Army Sergeant Major was specifically interested in networking with alumni who are veterans.

During Tuesday's event, Associate Regional Dean for Orange County David Waller introduced an alumnus who was a finalist for 2006-2007 Orange County Teacher of the Year.  Joining him at the podium for recognition Tim Thomas (CRED, 2003) of Dr. Jonas Salk Elementary School in the Magnolia School District.

Dean Waller also identified John Welter (BS, Criminal Justice, 1996), Chief of the Anaheim Police Department, as a National University alumnus.

The event on November 14 was part of Empowering Orange County, a newly launched series of alumni events organized in response to requests from National University alumni living and/or working in the region. To view photos of the event, click here. For more information, please e-mail Hoyt Smith at hsmith@nu.edu or phone him at (858) 642-8111.

National University Alumni Relations
11355 North Torrey Pines Road
La Jolla, CA 92037-1011

phone: (866)NU ACCESS ext. 8093
fax: (858)642-8748
alumni@nu.edu
development@nu.edu