Jensen Receives Above and Beyond Award
Dean of Fine Arts Robert “Bob” Jensen was honored at the North Orange County Community College Board meeting on Tuesday, May 12 with the Chancellor’s Above and Beyond Award. The accolade is a new honor instituted this year that recognizes employees who execute an act of extraordinary achievement in service to the district.
Jensen was recognized for his work with Fullerton College’s Centennial festivities in 2014.
“The parameters for the award are simple: it’s not enough to just do your job well – to be considered, the employee has to have performed in a way that is conspicuously above and beyond their stated duty,” said Interim Chancellor Fred Williams. “Bob did all of this with his trademark enthusiasm, deep integrity, and a boundless love for the institution for whom he’s dedicated the last 35 years of his working life.”
For five years, in preparation for the Centennial, Jensen contributed to 35 events and more than 30 projects related to the celebration. The key projects and events which brought students, faculty, staff and the community together included a historical exhibition at the Fullerton Museum Center, 1913 Day, art and photography exhibitions, a literary magazine, the Centennial production of Ragtime, Veterans Week, the Hall of Fame Gala, and numerous art commissions. In addition, Jensen worked with his colleagues and helped raise more than $300,000 from corporations and private donors to help augment the Centennial budget.
Jensen, who retires this June after 35 years of service to Fullerton College, credits the collaboration it took from colleagues and community members to bring all the Centennial events and projects to fruition.
“I wish to acknowledge that anything I have accomplished at Fullerton College, and most recently, the Fullerton College Centennial, was the result of teamwork with partners who accepted responsibility for specific projects and collaborated with me in very innovative and generous ways,” he said. “I accomplish nothing by myself. It’s all about a sense of community with common purpose.”
The Above and Beyond Award will not be presented on yearly basis, but rather when a current employee truly shines, demonstrating an attitude of excellence, teamwork, initiative, and dedication to the mission, vision, and values of NOCCCD, Williams said. Honorees are nominated by a member of the chancellor’s staff and receive an engraved trophy, a certificate of recognition, and are invited to have lunch with the chancellor’s staff.
Jensen shared the spotlight with Marc Posner, director of campus communications for Cypress College. Posner was honored for his volunteerism on the Measure J campaign, which successfully passed bringing in $574 million to the NOCCCD.
