Campus News
Honoring UCSC’s 2024 Alumni Awards recipients
Six alumni were honored on Oct. 25 at the Alumni Awards Celebration dinner. Learn more about each recipient and watch their video feature.
The UC Santa Cruz Alumni Association is proud to honor the 2024 honorees of the UCSC Alumni Awards: Dr. Keith Curry, Jacob Martinez, George M. Kraw, Kamari Maxine Clarke, Paul Fielder, and Neroli Devaney.
These awards consisting of five categories— Fiat Lux, Alumni Achievement, Distinguished Graduate Alumni, UCSC Ethos, and Outstanding Recent Alumni— recognize and celebrate alumni who have demonstrated outstanding professional achievements, made distinct contributions to society, provided impactful contributions to UC Santa Cruz, and who have embodied the values and spirit of the university.
“It is an honor to celebrate this year’s UCSC Alumni Award recipients, whose achievements exemplify the values and impact of UC Santa Cruz,” said Assistant Vice Chancellor of Alumni Engagement John D. Pine. “Their impact on their fields, communities, and society inspires us all.”
Six alumni were honored on Oct. 25. Learn more about each recipient below.
Fiat Lux Award
George M. Kraw (Cowell, ’71, history and Russian studies)
George M. Kraw (Cowell ’71) earned his B.A. in history and Russian studies from UC Santa Cruz. He was a member of the first UCSC rugby team. After graduating, he attended graduate school at UC Berkeley, where he received an M.A. in history and a J.D. from UC Berkeley Law. In 1981, he started his law practice in Silicon Valley, which eventually became the Kraw Law Group where he still works.
Kraw remains active as a UCSC alumnus and recently became a member of the UC Santa Cruz Foundation. Along with his wife, Rafe, he sponsors a series of science and technology lectures at the UCSC Silicon Valley campus. He has been active in several campus programs, including the UCSC rugby team, which he played on from 1967-71.
For his support and dedication towards UCSC and its students, faculty, staff, and alumni, Kraw received the 2024 UCSC Fiat Lux Award. The award honors alumni and friends of UC Santa Cruz who have demonstrated outstanding achievement and distinguished service in support of the university’s programs and goals.
“I greatly appreciate this acknowledgment, and it reminds me that there is much to be done to help the school continue to thrive as one of the world’s great universities,” Kraw said.
Alumni Achievement Award
Dr. Keith Curry (Oakes ’99, American studies)
Dr. Keith Curry (Oakes ’99) earned his degree in American studies from UC Santa Cruz and his doctorate in education leadership from UC Irvine. He is the president of Compton College and CEO of the Compton Community College District and serves as chair of both the National Panel on Black Student Enrollment and the Black Student Enrollment Expert Advisory Committee.
For his lasting, positive impact on the lives of others and consistent accomplishments throughout his career, Curry is the recipient of the 2024 UCSC Alumni Achievement Award. The award honors UC Santa Cruz graduates who have demonstrated distinguished professional achievement, leadership, and community service.
“I have received a lot of awards in my academic and professional career; however, this one means a lot because my journey began at UC Santa Cruz,” Curry said. “I often think about my first day on campus and wanting to return home, but I stayed and finished. Now, I cherish every moment I have when I visit Santa Cruz because I really enjoyed my time at this institution and in that community.”
Alumni Achievement Award
Jacob Martinez (Oakes ’04, evolutionary biology)
Jacob Martinez (Oakes ’04, evolutionary biology), who earned a degree in evolutionary biology from UC Santa Cruz, founded Digital NEST (Nurturing Entrepreneurial Skills with Technology)—a technology workforce development hub providing youth in rural communities with high-demand technology skills, mentoring, and hands-on experience. Since its founding in 2014, it has expanded, with locations in Watsonville, Salinas, Gilroy, Modesto, and Stockton.
For his lasting, positive impact on the lives of others and consistent accomplishments throughout his career, Martinez is the recipient of the 2024 UCSC Alumni Achievement Award. The award honors UC Santa Cruz graduates who have demonstrated distinguished professional achievement, leadership, and community service.
“I learned the importance of building a network [at UCSC],” Martinez said. “It was as a student that I was able to attend my first professional conference, SACNAS. It was that experience where I learned how to show up as a professional, how to network at a conference, and how to leverage relationships. Those skills are what helped lay the foundation of my ability to connect with people professionally.”
Distinguished Graduate Alumni Award
Kamari Maxine Clarke (MA ’94, anthropology; Ph.D. ’97, anthropology)
Kamari Maxine Clarke (MA ’94, anthropology; Ph.D. ’97, anthropology) is a distinguished professor of transnational justice and sociolegal studies at the University of Toronto. With extensive research on legal institutions, international domains, and the politics of globalization, Clarke has authored numerous books and articles, led a range of individual and collaborative research projects, and is an internationally recognized sociolegal scholar of law, culture, and power. She is a dedicated teacher and mentor who has directed over 40 graduate students and postdoctoral fellows.
Clarke is the recipient of the 2024 UCSC Distinguished Graduate Alumni Award. The award recognizes UC Santa Cruz graduate alumni for notable achievement in a career directly related to their degree program.
“It is an honor and a privilege to accept this award,” Clarke said. “Various UCSC programs are among the last survivors of truly critical, change-making education, and I consider myself lucky to have been taught by so many dedicated scholars and some of the greatest thinkers of our time.”
UCSC Ethos Award
Paul Fielder (Merrill ’84, psychobiology; Ph.D. ’89, biology)
Paul Fielder (Merrill ’84, psychobiology; Ph.D. ’89, biology) is currently a vice president emeritus at Genentech, Inc. Fielder received his undergraduate degree in psychobiology and Ph.D. in biology from UCSC. He was then a Postdoctoral Scholar at the Stanford University Medical School. Fielder joined Genentech in 1993, where he has contributed to the development of many of Genentech’s life-changing biological therapeutics. More recently, Fielder has been a pioneer in helping to shape Genentech’s efforts in diversity and inclusion.
Fielder is the recipient of the 2024 UCSC Ethos Award. The UCSC Ethos Award honors alumni whose contributions to their communities embody and reflect the ethos of UC Santa Cruz. These individuals champion diversity, foster inclusive communities, are deeply committed to social justice and equity, and are dedicated to seeking truth and advancing knowledge in service of society. They celebrate others’ heritage, uniqueness, and contributions with a deep respect for human dignity and a desire for transformational change.
“I am both honored and humbled to receive the UCSC Ethos Award,” Fielder said. “I am delighted to have my alma mater recognize me for my accomplishments. I also appreciate the many people who supported my career and submitted me for this award.”
Outstanding Recent Alumni Award
Neroli Devaney (College Nine ’19, sociology)
Neroli Devaney (College Nine ’19, sociology) wasted no time putting her UCSC education and KZSC student experience to work after graduation. She returned home to Arcata, CA, and connected with the local arts agency Playhouse Arts to start a local radio station, Humboldt Hot Air, a grassroots internet radio station that has become an essential community hub for folks to share their ideas, art, and music. Humboldt Hot Air boasts over 60 volunteer DJs, an expansive selection of talk and music programming, collaborations with dozens of local organizations, and impressive community support.
For her notable professional achievements and contributions to society, Devaney is the recipient of the 2024 Outstanding Recent Alumni Award, which recognizes UC Santa Cruz alumni who graduated within the past 10 years who reflect the values and mission of UCSC.
“I am honored to be a recipient of UCSC’s 2024 Outstanding Recent Alumni Award,” Devaney said. “I believe that grassroots, community labor is often undervalued by larger institutions, so it feels really special that UCSC recognizes the work I have done and the value that community radio stations can hold. I hope that receiving this award can put a spotlight on not just myself but also on KZSC as an essential resource within the UCSC community.”
Nominations for the 2025 UCSC Alumni Awards open February 12.