As California state superintendent of public instruction, Delaine Eastin cut class size and administrative costs, increased student access to technology and helped 3,000 schools plant their own gardens. Eastin, superintendent from 1995 to 2003 and the first and only woman to hold that post, is the 2015 recipient of the 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 Davis Medal, the highest accolade that the campus may bestow upon an individual.
Eastin received her bachelor's degree in political science from 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 Davis.
The medal will be presented by Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi at the College of Letters and Science commencement at 7 p.m. June 13 at the 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 Davis Pavilion.
鈥淭hrough a career dedicated to education and public service, Ms. Eastin has epitomized the grandest ambitions of the 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 Davis community,鈥 said Katehi. 鈥淲ith her groundbreaking efforts to raise standards, increase access to technology and make gardens part of our classrooms, Ms. Eastin has profoundly broadened the meaning of public education in our state in ways that will benefit our students for years to come. It is truly an honor to claim her as a fellow Aggie.鈥
Among Eastin鈥檚 accomplishments as superintendent:
- Convinced the governor and legislature to invest $2.5 billion to cut class size.
- Launched the 鈥淐hallenge Initiative鈥 to raise standards and accountability with 56 school districts and 500,000 students taking part.
- Cut administrative waste by streamlining contracting procedures and standardizing accounting procedures.
- Established the California Education Technology Task Force to increase student access to technology.
- Worked with Alice Waters鈥 Chez Panisse Foundation to start the Garden in Every School Initiative that started gardens at about 3,000 schools.
Ralph Hexter, 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 Davis provost and executive vice chancellor, nominated Eastin for the medal.
鈥淢s. Eastin has a highly distinguished record of public service that reflects 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 Davis鈥 core values,鈥 Hexter said. 鈥淗er selection reaffirms our university鈥檚 commitment to public education and public service and powerfully communicates how a 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 Davis education can be a springboard to making a positive difference in society. It also further raises her profile as a role model for young women on our campus and beyond. Ms. Eastin continues to support and maintain strong ties to 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 Davis and its extended community, as well as the University of California overall.鈥
First in family to attend college
Eastin, who lives in Davis, came from a working-class family. She was the first in her family to attend college 鈥 an achievement she is passing along to others by establishing a 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 Davis scholarship for a woman who is first in her family to attend college. It will be awarded for the first time this year.
鈥淓veryone who knows me knows that 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 Davis changed my life. Attending 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 Davis meant everything to me,鈥 she said. 鈥淚t was a wonderful place and I made some of the finest friends of my life there.鈥
The late Joyce Kallgren, the only woman on the political science faculty when Eastin attended 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 Davis, encouraged her to go to graduate school.
Eastin earned a master鈥檚 degree in political science from 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 Santa Barbara.
She has remained involved with the university, serving on the boards of 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 Center Sacramento, the alumni association and Center for Nutrition in Schools. In 2002 she received the Distinguished Achievement Award from the Cal Aggie Alumni Association.
After earning her master鈥檚 degree, Eastin taught political science and women鈥檚 studies on the college level, then was corporate manager for Pacific Telesis Group. She started in public service when she was elected to the Union City Council. In 1986 she won the first of four terms in the state Assembly, where she chaired the education committee, and was elected superintendent in 1994.
After completing her second term as superintendent she was executive director of the National Institute for School Leadership from 2003 to 2005, and distinguished visiting professor and director of the Center for Civic Engagement and Women鈥檚 Leadership at Mills College from 2004 to 2008.
Making food matter
Starting gardens in schools came naturally to her.
鈥淚鈥檓 a foodie and my parents had a love of food,鈥 she said. 鈥淲e always had a garden.鈥 She now has a dozen fruit trees in her Davis garden, too.
Along with working with the Chez Panisse Foundation, she has served on the boards of the National Gardening Association, Real School Gardens, Davis Farm to School Connection, Yolo Farm to Fork and Edible School Yard Foundation.
鈥淒elaine Eastin is one of our most distinguished alumni, and her service in the state Assembly and as state superintendent highlight her deep and inspiring commitment to education,鈥 said George R. Mangun, dean of social sciences at 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 Davis. 鈥淎 tireless advocate for education, she is also a key figure on campus as one of our most trusted friends and supporters.鈥
The 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 Davis Medal
The medal, awarded for the very highest levels of distinction, personal achievement and contributions to the ideals of higher education on which 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 Davis is founded, has been presented to 14 people since it was created in 2002. Among the recipients are President Bill Clinton, Robert and Margrit Mondavi, artist Wayne Thiebaud, and 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 Davis Chancellor Emeritus Larry Vanderhoef, who instituted the award.
Media Resources
Jeffrey Day, Arts, humanities and social sciences, 530-219-8258, jaaday@ucdavis.edu