Avila Beach resident Jim Sargen has received special recognition from Cuesta College for his volunteer efforts. The Cuesta College Foundation Board of Directors has presented Sargen with the J. Vard Loomis Award for Distinguished Board Service. The honor was announced recently at the Board’s annual Tar Springs Retreat in rural Arroyo Grande.

According to Superintendent/President Marie E. Rosenwasser, individuals like Sargen are irreplaceable for Cuesta. "Jim gives the gift of himself so that students can benefit," she said. "His volunteer efforts have impacted countless lives, giving students direction and providing opportunities so they can meet their academic goals."

Former Trustee Dee Lacey presented the award to Sargen, who called him a "champion for Cuesta College" in her speech. "He gives time and energy to projects that benefit Cuesta, but most of all he brings to us his heart and enthusiasm, which has never wavered," she said.

Sargen is a longtime donor and supporter of Cuesta, serving on the college’s Foundation Board of Directors since 1995. "Jim Sargen represents the highest standard of what can be achieved through volunteerism, leadership and philanthropy," said Barbara George, the Executive Director of Cuesta College Institutional Advancement. "He has created a model for other volunteers because of the way he combines his experience and expertise with unending willingness."

Sargen and his wife Joan’s most recent donation to Cuesta is the "Fitness Zone," an unique outdoor exercise facility that uses equipment designed and manufactured in China. He headed "The Campaign for Cuesta," raising $6.2 million in cash, pledges and deferred gifts from individual donors, companies and foundations to build the Cuesta College North County Campus and to improve technology on both campuses. In addition, Jim and Joan Sargen were major donors to "Building on Success," a campaign for the construction and furnishing of two new buildings on the North County Campus.

Sargen is the only community college representative on the Board of the Foundation for California Community Colleges (FCCC), which supports and enhances the missions of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges (CCC), the Chancellor’s Office and the colleges, districts, and foundations of the community college system. Sargen was named "Philanthropist of the Year" by the Network of California Community Colleges and the 2001 "Betty Nielsen Volunteer of the Year" by Cuesta College. He is the President and CEO of Trian Investments, in addition to dividing his time between his family, Cuesta and other non-profit organizations.

Sargen is the son of a Greek immigrant father and first generation immigrant mother. He has a bachelor’s degree in public administration/political science and a master’s degree in urban studies from San Francisco State University. Sargen and his wife Joan came to the Central Coast from the Bay Area in 1992.

The J. Vard Loomis Award is named in memory of J. Vard Loomis of Arroyo Grande, the first president of the Board of Trustees for the San Luis Obispo County Community College District. The award recognizes distinguished service and exceptional representation of Cuesta College to the public. The nominee must have served as a member of either the Cuesta College Board of Trustees or the Cuesta College Foundation Board of Directors.

Frances Reynolds won the first J. Vard Loomis Award in 1998. An active Cuesta volunteer and donor, Reynolds served on the Cuesta College Board of Trustees for 16 years, from 1979 to 1996. The second award in 1999 went to Jon Jenkins, the "founding father" of Cuesta’s Foundation, who served as board director for 23 years. The 2000 award went to Foundation Board Member Rosemary Maino, who played a key role in "The Campaign for Cuesta: Investing in the Future," which raised funds to build Cuesta’s North County Campus. The 2001 award went to Myron Graham, who has worked in support of the music department and college library, along with many other areas. Last year’s award went to Don Talley a former Cuesta Trustee and Mayor of Arroyo Grande. Talley also was a member of the Foundation Board of Directors, and has given his support to many Cuesta programs over the years.