The Distinguished Social Sciences Alumni Award was presented annually from 2005-2023 to a graduate or graduates whose careers were characterized by sustained and exemplary contributions to society through research, practice, education, policy, or service. Many of our former students have gone on to create a positive impact and distinguish themselves through their work for social, economic, environmental, and political justice or as leaders in industry, technology, law, or other fields. The Distinguished Social Sciences Alumni Award celebrated their impact and achievements. Now, our alumni are celebrated through the yearly campus-wide alumni awards ceremony and the Distinguished Graduate Student Alumni Awards.
Past recipients of the Distinguished Social Sciences Alumni Award include:
- 2023: Peter Bratt (Cowell ’86, politics). Peter Bratt is a community organizer, social justice activist, and champion of underrepresented communities. He is a Rockefeller Fellow, a Peabody Award winner, and an Emmy-nominated film producer, writer, and director. View photos from the 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award event here.
- 2022: Ricky Bluthenthal (Merrill ’86, History and Sociology). Ricky Bluthenthal is a trailblazer, advocate, and champion of health equity and social justice for disadvantaged and marginalized groups. He currently serves as Associate Dean for Social Justice, Vice Chair for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and Professor in the Department of Population and Public Health Sciences and the Institute for Prevention Research at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine. Watch a video of the awards event here.
- 2020-2021: Terri McCullough (Oakes ’90, Politics) Terri McCullough has been an advocate for women’s leadership at the highest levels throughout her career and is now chief of staff to former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
- 2017-2018: Virginia Espino (Merrill ’87, Psychology) and Héctor Tobar (Oakes ’88, Sociology and LALS). Virginia Espino is an Emmy-nominated documentary-maker and oral historian, and Héctor Tobar is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, novelist, and educator. Both Espino and Tobar have focused on issues affecting Latin America and Latinx communities within the United States.
- 2016-2017: Kris Perry (Merrill ’86, psychology and sociology) Kris Perry and her partner Sandy Stier became well known after challenging Proposition 8, California’s controversial ban against same-sex marriage, in a lawsuit described as “putting fear and prejudice on trial.” It is thanks to Perry’s commitment to social justice that we have equal marriage in California today.
- 2015-2016: Drummond Pike (Stevenson ’70, Politics) Drummond Pike was recognized for his accomplishments in combining philanthropy with political activism.
- 2014-2015: Stephen Bruce (Cowell ’79, Economics) Stephen Bruce is the president and co-founder of an international asset management group, Alcentra. Bruce was the first Chair of the UC Santa Cruz Social Sciences Board of Councilors and was selected for his leadership, innovations, and dedication to helping students.
- 2012-2013: David Sotelo (Merrill ’83, Politics) Sotelo is a former Los Angeles Superior Court Judge and was recognized for his consistent personal and professional dedication, commitment, and civic service. His exemplary leadership has resulted in lasting and positive impacts on the field of law, his community, and society.
- 2012-2013: David Sotelo (Merrill ’83, Politics) Sotelo is a former Los Angeles Superior Court Judge and was recognized for his consistent personal and professional dedication, commitment, and civic service. His exemplary leadership has resulted in lasting and positive impacts on the field of law, his community, and society.
- 2011-2012: Joe Palca (’82, Psychology Ph.D.) Joe Palca is a former National Public Radio science correspondent. He was honored for his scientific knowledge and journalistic skill, his professional dedication, and his service as an adviser, advocate, and educator. Former UCSC Professor Bruce Bridgeman’s nomination of Palca described him as having a “passion for maintaining and enhancing scientific literacy for Americans.”
- 2010-2011: Peter Stein ( College Eight ’75, Environmental Planning), Peter Stein was the managing director (now owner) at Lyme Timber Company. Stein was selected for his innovative, and pioneering approaches to and lasting impact on the field of conservation planning and development.
- 2009-2010: Nancy Berglass (Merrill ’85, Community Studies) Nancy Berglass is a community-builder, advisor, trainer, advocate, and philanthropist,, who is CEO of Berglass Community Investment Consulting. Berglass was honored for her local, national and international impact, her exemplary strategic leadership and expertise, and her personal and professional dedication and service.
- 2008-2009: George Robert Perkovich (’81, Politics) George Robert Perkovich was a former speechwriter and adviser to then Vice President Joseph Biden. Perkovich is also a celebrated author and one of the most influential voices on international nuclear arms issues. He is currently the vice president for studies at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, overseeing the Technology and International Affairs Program and Nuclear Policy Program.
- 2007-2008: Joe Berney (Cowell ’75, Economics) Joe Berney was an educator and social justice activist who also earned his secondary teaching credential within the UCSC Education Department. He was honored for his impact in education policy, labor organizing, youth and community advocacy, and renewable energy.
- 2006–2007: Kelvin Filer (’75, Politics) Kelvin Filer is a distinguished California Superior Court Judge, who argued and won a landmark California State Supreme Court case affecting defendant rights.
- 2005-2006: Dana Priest (’81, Politics) Dana Priest is an investigative journalist, analyst, and author who covers the military., She won the Pulitzer Prize in 2006 and 2008 for her reporting on the CIA and Walter Reed Army Medical Center.