Distinguished Alumni
Through the years, our Distinguished Alumni honorees have made a positive impact on their communities and beyond and continue to inspire current students to succeed.
Distinguished Alumni Awards recognize outstanding El Camino College alumni, honoring
them for their contributions to the community.Nomination Form
The El Camino College Foundation is pleased to recognize the accomplishments of our alumni through the Distinguished Alumni program.
Many of our alumni are highly respected in the community and have achieved great success in their careers and lives.
We are honored to acknowledge these individuals and remember the strong educational foundation El Camino College provided them on their professional journey.
Selection Criteria
Potential candidates should meet the following criteria:
- Ten years must have elapsed since candidates attended El Camino College.
- Candidates must have a proven track record of achievement in their chosen career, service to the community, or area of endeavor.
- Candidates should have gained local, state, or national recognition.
2026 Distinguished Alumni and Gratitude Awards Dinner
March 6, 2026
DoubleTree by Hilton, Torrance
21333 Hawthorne Blvd, Torrance, CA 90503
Guest check-in will begin at 5:30 p.m. | Reception begins at 6 p.m.
Past Honorees
2024 Distinguished Awards
 |
David Dumais Fire Chief, City of Torrance |
 |
Chris Mortensen Senior NFL Insider, ESPN (Retired) |
 |
Sabrina Steele Executive Director, Corporate Affairs & Communications, The Aerospace Corporation |
 |
Dr. Jennifer Taylor-Mendoza President, West Valley College |
|
|
 |
 |
|
The McKellop/Wager Family Individual Gratitude Award |
Chevron Corporation Corporate Gratitude Award |
Norris Foundation Community Gratitude Award |
- 2024 Distinguished Alumni and Gratitude Awards Dinner Photo Album
Distinguished Alumni Honor Roll
|
Daelea Aldrich '97 Barbara Ann Alexander '97 Karin Baker '22 David Benoit '11 Eleanor Bersano '16 Timothy Robert Blevins '97 Donald Brann ‘11 James Brooks '97 Rocky Chavez '18 Fred Claire '97 Rudy deLeon '97 Cindi Demboski '97 Fred Dryer '97 David Dumais '24 Keith Erickson '97 Dennis Fayze Fandey '97 James Ferreira '97 E. Michael Fincke ‘12 Diane Fitzhugh '97 Monica Fredericks '14 Pat Furey '11 Gary Galiger '97 Don Gilpin '97 Barbara Gleason '97 James Hill '97 Robert Horii '97 Nils Johnson '97 |
Kathryn Joiner '97 Richard Keelor '97 Dan Keenan '18 Timothy King '97 Sherry Kramer '18 Michael Lacey '12 Jack Ledbetter '97 Russ Lesser '97 Carol Liess '97 Ian and Marilyn MacLeod '22 Dennis Mangers '97 Patricia Martz '97 Harry McKellop '97 Anita McLaughlin '12 William Mealer '97 Candace Messer '12 Cliff Meidl '03 Mark Mercier '97 Chris Montez '12 Philip Montez '97 Michael Montoya '11 Chris Mortensen '24 George Nakano '16 Carol Neblett '97 Joe Boyd Noble '97 Wayne Overbeck '97 David Pack '97 Nick Parras '97 |
Maria Pena '97 Virginia Pfiffner '97 Gregory Rafijah '14 Francisco X. Rivera '22 Gerald Robinson '97 Mary Rooney '97 Kirk Rossberg '22 Edmond Russ '97 James Russell, Jr. '97 Laura Schenasi '16 Ray Southstone '97 Jannette Stewart '97 Sabrina Steele '24 Ryan Stonebraker '14 Jennifer Taylor-Mendoza '24 Megan Tatu '14 Ian Teague '97 Maxine Thomas '97 Donna Toy-Chen '97 Brian Wilson '18 Cinna Toy-Wohlmuth '11 Carlos Vessels '97 Cheryl Ann Winkler '97 Hope Witkowsky '02 Merrie (Penny) Wood '97 Roy Yanase '97 Beverly Young '97 William Young '16 |
Gratitude Awards Honor Roll
Frances Ford '18
Mary Haag '22
Harry McKellop '24
Manhattan Beach Rotary '22
Norris Foundation '24
Edison International '18
Northrop Grumman '22
Chevron '24