Camarillo, Calif., Oct. 17, 2014 – CSU Channel Islands President Richard R. Rush has been named one of Ventura County’s “25 Over 50” for 2014. The annual awards program created by the Ventura County Star recognizes 25 exceptional leaders over the age of 50 who “leave an imprint on the community through their achievements, leadership abilities, philanthropic efforts, and dedication to the betterment of Ventura County.”
Rush received his award Thursday, Oct. 16, in a ceremony at the Spanish Hills Country Club in Camarillo, with his wife, Jane, and numerous CI colleagues looking on. He collected a certificate of recognition and a framed copy of a Ventura County Star article highlighting his accomplishments before leaving to speak at CI’s Campus Reading Celebration. Articles on Rush and the other awardees will appear in a special section of the Ventura County Star, published Sunday, Oct. 19.
“I am deeply humbled to be included in this extraordinary group of honorees,” Rush said. “It has been a privilege to work alongside the great people of Ventura County and CSU Channel Islands over the past 12 years to build a university that reflects our community’s hopes and dreams and our collective vision for the future.”
As CI’s founding president, Rush has led the effort to create a world-class public university, even as the CSUs faced their most stringent cuts in state support. Under his leadership, the University opened its doors in 2002 and has since become the nation’s fastest-growing public university, with over 5,800 students, 24 academic programs and over 700 employees. Each year, CI contributes approximately 1,600 qualified graduates to the local workforce and more than $240 million to the regional economy. With enrollment projected to increase 8 percent a year to 10,000 students by 2025, that impact is expected to grow exponentially.
CI has earned national distinction from The Chronicle for Higher Education as a “Great College to Work For”; acclaim for sustainability from the Sierra Club, Princeton Review and Arbor Day Foundation; accolades for community service from the U.S. Department of Education; and recognition for offering students the “Best Bang for the Buck” from Washington Monthly. A federal Hispanic Serving Institution, CI has won more than $13 million in federal grants, enabling students and faculty to participate in research and educational endeavors with entities such as NASA, the National Science Foundation and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. CSU Chancellor Timothy White praised CI as “one of the jewels of the Cal State system.”
Rush is widely commended for his ability to advance the University by forging innovative community and public-private partnerships. To establish CI’s renowned nursing program, he partnered with Cottage Health System and Santa Barbara City College. He oversaw creation of University Glen, a self-sustaining revenue source to house faculty, staff and students. He recently helped launch Santa Rosa Island Research Station – A California State University Channel Islands Undergraduate Research Campus with the National Park Service.
Known as a highly affable and approachable leader, Rush can be found on campus occasionally dropping in on classes and tours or joining students for lunch at the dining hall.
“President Rush’s vision for creating a dynamic educational community for our students, alumni, faculty, staff, and surrounding community is nothing short of exceptional,” said Genevieve Evans Taylor, Special Assistant to the President and former Executive Director of CI’s Associated Students Incorporated, who was one of the nominators for the award.
In its second year, the Ventura County Star’s “25 Over 50” awards program recognizes 25 deserving individuals in Ventura County’s fastest growing demographic – adults over the age of 50. The Star received approximately 160 nominations for this year’s awards. Winners were reviewed and selected by a panel of newspaper employees.
“Our honorees come from all walks of life, including three well-known brothers, a university president and even a FBI agent this year,” said Monica White, Director of Marketing at the Ventura County Star. “We are excited to celebrate their accomplishments and thank them for their contributions to our local community.”
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About California State University Channel Islands
CSU Channel Islands(CI) is the only four-year, public university in Ventura County and is known for its interdisciplinary, multicultural and international perspectives, and its emphasis on experiential and service learning. CI’s strong academic programs focus on business, sciences, liberal studies, teaching credentials, and innovative master’s degrees. Students benefit from individual attention, up-to-date technology, and classroom instruction augmented by outstanding faculty research. CI has been designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and is committed to serving students of all backgrounds from the region and beyond. Connect with and learn more by visiting CI's Social Media.