CSULB awards two for hard work

A Cal State Long Beach student and employee, both Huntington Beach residents, have been honored recently by the school.

Melany Aiken, a 2002 graduate of Huntington Beach High School, was awarded the 2008-09 William R. Hearst/CSU Trustees’ Award for Outstanding Achievement.

Grant Duke, a facilities control specialist at the school, was named Employee of the Month by his coworkers.

Melany Aiken

Aiken is a teaching credential student, and is a future graduate student in history. She was awarded $3,000 in the program, which honors students who have demonstrated financial need, experienced personal hardships and have attributes of merit.

One winner was selected from each of the 23 campuses in the university system.

“I am so appreciative of this award and thankful to the Board of Trustees for their support of my academic and career goals,” Aiken said.

“The scholarship from the Hearst/Trustees’ Award will enable me to spend more time on my student teaching requirements this semester and graduate work in the spring. Knowing that I have additional support for my college expenses from the Hearst/Trustees’ Award helps to relieve some of the stress that comes with student teaching.

“With this award, I also will be able to fulfill the credential program requirements and complete my first semester of graduate work without requesting another student loan, helping me move one step closer to my ultimate goal of becoming a high school history teacher and earning my master’s degree.”

Aiken had a difficult upbringing and experienced severe depression as a teenager, but graduated magna cum laude last year from the school with a bachelor’s degree in both history and anthropology. She is a student teacher at Edison High School.

“My childhood memories will always be bittersweet,” Aiken said. “Yet ultimately I know that the hardships I faced have helped shape me into the strong person I am today and have made me so grateful for all that I have now.”

Grant Duke

When Duke was named Employee of the Month, the school renamed the campus Friendship Walk as “Grant Duke Lane” for the month.

Duke, who works on building heating, air conditioning and energy efficiency, was honored for his commitment to customer service.

“I felt fortunate to have been nominated for the award,” said Duke, who lives with his wife, Karen, and son Taylor in Huntington Beach.

“It came as quite a surprise, but I’m honored to have been selected.”

Duke started his career at Grand Canyon National Park as a refrigeration mechanic who occasionally traveled by mule down to the bottom of the canyon in order to service equipment at the Phantom Ranch guest facility.

He began working at Utah State University in 1994, and transferred to CSULB in 2001.

“Sometimes, I encounter people who are uncomfortable and frustrated with their situations,” Duke said. “I find these people are truly appreciative that I’m willing to listen and acknowledge their complaints, and that I genuinely want to resolve their problem.

“Occasionally after making a repair, a customer may ask about the nature of a problem. I enjoy having the opportunity to explain my work and to see their surprise at the complexity of the mechanical systems hidden around them.”

University President F. King Alexander said Duke’s commitment to his job shows.

“Grant brings a ‘can-do’ attitude to every assignment,” Alexander said. “He is a true professional.”

“I respect and enjoy working with every person in my shop,” Duke said. “Everyone is dedicated and hard-working, cooperative and helpful at every opportunity. I couldn’t ask for a better crew — or environment — in which to work.”

As part of his award, Duke received a CSULB sweatshirt, restaurant gift certificates and tickets to a CSULB home game.

CANDICE BAKER may be reached at (714) 966-4631 or at [email protected].