“The College will recognize four outstanding alumni who have truly demonstrated excellence in community service and their professional areas of expertise,” said Dr. Kimberly Perry, Butte College president. “There are over 500,000 alumni touching lives not only in our community, but also statewide, nationally and even internationally. This event is the main fundraising event for the Butte College Foundation which will support student scholarships and athletics programs.”
 

The four Butte College outstanding alumni selected this year include Kelly Candaele, writer and filmmaker; Teri Dougherty, platform artist/hair designer; Stephen Gonsalves, principal architect, Nichols, Melburg & Rossetto Architects and Engineers; and Larry Jones, Glenn County Sheriff.

Kelly Candaele, Award-winning Writer and Filmmaker

Alumnus Kelly Candaele is an accomplished writer and filmmaker.  He has written extensively for the Los Angeles Times, New York Times, The Nation magazine, and National Public Radio.  As a journalist, Candaele accompanied President Clinton on three trips to Northern Ireland. He has produced a number of award-winning documentaries, including “A League of Their Own,” about his mother’s experience as a professional baseball player in the All American Girl’s Professional Baseball League and he wrote the story for the feature film, “A League of Their Own,” starring Tom Hanks and Geena Davis. In addition, Candaele has produced several award-winning films on the life of assassinated Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme, and another on Harry Wu, Chinese human rights activist. Candaele has lectured at colleges and universities and has served as a trustee for the Los Angeles Community College District since 1996. He is currently working on a documentary about the history of soccer in Calcutta, India.  

Teri Dougherty, Award Winning Stylist

Teri Dougherty is an alumna of the Butte College Cosmetology Program.  She has designed hair for international fashion runways, television and film.  She is an award-winning platform artist, freelance hair designer, creative director, and editorial consultant. Teri serves as the Artistic Advisor for Aloxxi International Hair Color, the founder of OPI Nails. Teaching in over 28 countries and throughout the US, Teri is sought out by stylists around the world for her innovative education and cutting-edge design. She is one of the most highly requested and well-traveled stylists and educators in the world.  Teri created the website Hairconcepts.com. and brings her expertise in teaching hairdressing and styling to professional hairdressers. In addition, each year she releases her own collections of new looks that she has spent the previous year developing, both in theory and in practice.  She was named "One of the Top 75 Educators of the 20th Century" by Modern Salon Magazine  and won the Hair Colorist of the Year for the “International Haircolor Exchange”

Steve Gonsalves, Nichols, Melburg & Rossetto Architects, Principal

Alumnus Steve Gonsalves joined Nichols, Melburg & Rossetto in 1988 as Manager and Director of the Structural Engineering Division. He later became principal-in-charge of the Chico office. A licensed architect and registered structural engineer, Steve has led the design team for several award-winning local projects including the Sierra Nevada Brewery Expansion, Nettleton Stadium on the CSU, Chico campus, and the 555 Main Street mixed use building in Chico. Steve specializes in the design of health care facilities including acute care hospital expansions and renovations, outpatient clinics and medical office buildings. Some of Steve’s local health care projects include the Enloe Cancer Center, the Feather River Hospital Emergency Services Expansion and the Feather River Health Clinic in Paradise. Steve has a demonstrated commitment to community service serving as Chairman of the Board of Innovate North State, President of the Rotary Club of Chico and Chair of the CSU, Chico College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Construction Management Advisory Board. His professional accomplishments and community involvement earned honors by the Chico Chamber of Commerce as Business Person of the Year and as a Distinguished Alumnus for the CSU, Chico College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Construction Management.

Larry Jones, Glenn County Sheriff

Glenn County Sheriff Larry Jones grew up in Glenn County and attended Butte College majoring in Physical Education.  Prior to graduation he transferred to CSU, Chico where he completed his bachelor’s degree.  With almost 40 years of experience in law enforcement, Sheriff Jones is recognized throughout the public safety industry in California.  With insufficient funds to provide his County with the level of services he believes they deserves, he not only conducts all the administrative work—which is more than a full time job, but he also fills in by working patrol and special details from time to time.  Sheriff Jones is one of the few, if not only, sheriff’s showing such dedication to an agency.  He also has worked as an assistant firearms instructor in the Butte College Law Enforcement Academy.

“As a community we have an opportunity to help students achieve their dreams.  The Butte College Foundation Spring Gala honors top alumni that have made a difference.  There will be a delicious dinner, entertainment, and silent and live auctions --including a dessert auction.  Proceeds from this event benefit student scholarships and athletics.  What greater gift to give someone than an education.  A special thank you to our business sponsors who so generously support this event,” said Julie Boss  Butte College Foundation Co-Chair.

The Butte College Foundation, created in 1987, is a non-profit auxiliary organization that supports the College and its students, faculty, and staff. Last year alone, the Foundation distributed 387 scholarships directly to deserving students. The Butte College Foundation relies on community donations to help many of the 13,000 students each semester. Helping students succeed directly benefits the economic health of our local communities in Butte and Glenn Counties.  The Butte College Foundation can provide assistance with planned giving, charitable annuities, and/or scholarships on behalf of a company or in memory of a loved one.

Sponsorships are still available for the event. The event’s major contributor is the Steve Harrison and Linda Zorn Foundation. For sponsorship or ticket information, 530-895-2359 or email the Butte College Foundation.

The Outstanding Alumni Award is selected and presented by the Butte College Foundation in recognition of outstanding personal and professional achievements.
 

Watch Videos of past Outstanding Alumni >