Kegley Institute announces 2025 Wendy Wayne Ethics Award winners

Awards honor CSUB alumna and beloved Bakersfield community member

By California State University, Bakersfield

February 10^th, 2025

The Kegley Institute of Ethics (KIE) at California State University, Bakersfield has announced the recipients of its 2025 Wendy Wayne Ethics Awards.

The awards recognize adults and youth who inspire through their ethical commitment and actions to improve the lives of others in our community. This year’s adult awardee is David Silva and the youth awardees are Carter Beardsley and Jocelynn Landon. Katie Johnson also earned an honorable mention in the youth category.

These awards honor CSUB alumna and beloved Bakersfield community member Wendy Wayne, who was a dedicated volunteer and ethical leader in the Bakersfield community. She served as a Peace Corps volunteer, a nurse at Kern Medical Center and as an advocate for childhood education with the Kern County Superintendent of Schools.

“This year's awardees are all dedicated advocates for change, just as Wendy Wayne was throughout her lifetime,” said KIE Interim Director Dr. Nate Olson. “We are fortunate to have these ethical leaders as part of our Kern County community, and we at the Kegley Institute of Ethics are honored to present them with these awards.”

The youth co-awardees will each receive a $3,000 scholarship while Johnson will receive a $1,000 scholarship.

A celebration dinner will be held on March 15, which is also the date of the institute’s Wendy Wayne Day of Service. The institute will work with volunteers and the Community Action Partnership of Kern to assemble food packages for members of the community.

If you would like to participate, please email ethics@csub.edu or call 661-654-6263.

Here is more information on this year’s awardees:

Kegley Institute announces 2025 Wendy Wayne Ethics Award winners

David Silva

Silva is a graduate student at CSUB pursuing his master’s in public administration. He currently serves as the university’s first tribal liaison, through which he helps to strengthen connections and relationships with local tribes. He is also a co-chair for the Indigenous Faculty and Staff Association.

Silva is passionate about bringing awareness to the missing and murdered indigenous women epidemic and how it affects native and indigenous communities. He has organized and led a yearly march that brings awareness to the issue and provides support for survivors and their families. Prior to the march, Silva organizes a weeklong action week that includes several events, including film screenings, talking circles, artifact demonstrations and more.

Silva has long been an advocate for native and indigenous students on campus. He helped found the Native and Indigenous Student Coalition on campus when he was an undergrad and served as its president. Silva was also part of a movement that led to the creation of CSUB’s Native and Indigenous Graduation Ceremony, which is now held every spring.

“I am deeply humbled and honored to be recognized for the Wendy Wayne Ethics Award,” he said. “This is a momentous occasion, as I have not sought to be recognized for my work but to simply do my best to represent who I am, where I come from and provide a voice for my communities on campus and off. I hope to continue to be an advocate for change and representation in the higher education system.”

Carter Beardsley

Beardsley is a senior at Centennial High School who currently serves as Region 8 president of the California Association of Student Councils, which provides leadership development and training for K-12 students. He was also the youngest member of the Kern Leaders Academy leadership program last year.

Beardsley has been a youth advocate in several local committees. He is a member of the City of Bakersfield’s Youth Commission and currently represents Ward 1, which covers southeast Bakersfield. He helped the commission grow to the point where it now has an annual budget and meets in the City Council chambers.

Beardsley was also the first chairman of the Kern Literacy Council’s Youth Literacy Committee. He collaborated with the council to establish a program last March to provide book vending machines to students in Delano, where he has spent much of his life. More than 500 books have been distributed to students there. He was able to secure another vending machine for the county Department of Human Services’ Foster Care Division.

“Wendy Wayne was a beacon of what we all ought to strive to be — as good as we can be, to as many people as possible,” Beardsley said. “To now be receiving the Wendy Wayne Ethics Award is an indescribable honor and blessing. As long as this award has been given, giants in our community have etched their names into the list of those to receive it. I feel I am in great company. May we all continue to build a brighter tomorrow with each other and for each other.”

Jocelynn Landon

Landon is a CSUB student pursuing her bachelor’s in journalism. She currently serves as editor in chief of the student-run newspaper The Runner. During her leadership, Landon has spearheaded a campaign to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the organization that included a gallery exhibit in the new Media Arts Center. She has also led efforts to secure funding for the publication and created workshops to help staff members improve their skills.

Landon served other roles on The Runner prior to serving as editor in chief, primarily as a managing editor and features editor. Landon launched “Runners Around Kern” when she was features editor, which focused on telling stories focusing on the rural areas of Kern County.

In addition to her schoolwork and managing The Runner, Landon serves as president of CSUB’s Media Club. She has also been working since January as a part-time staff reporter for Kern Sol News, a youth-led media outlet focused on issues affecting underserved communities in Kern County.

“I’m very thankful for the nomination and the committee for believing that I showcase ethical qualities through all the hats I wear on campus and beyond,” Landon said. “As a journalist, storytelling isn’t about making stories bigger — it’s about making them matter and uplifting my local community. I am passionate about using my talents to advocate and amplify the voices around me, especially those from underrepresented and marginalized communities. This award will serve as a constant reminder to lead with an ethical heart.”

Katie Johnson

Johnson is a freshman with junior standing at the University of California, San Diego, where she is pursuing her bachelor’s in communications. She graduated from Highland High School in May and earned associate degrees in liberal arts, administrative justice and arts in history.

Johnson currently serves as vice president of public relations for the Muir Residents Council at the college. She is also a first-year fellow for the Associated Students of UC San Diego and is part of Triton Lobby Corps, the organization’s student lobbyist group. Johnson is a member of several clubs and organizations aimed at supporting Black students, including the Black Student Union and Black Campus Ministries.

Outside of the classroom, she has been part of nonprofit organizations including the Ford Dimension and Dream Builders programs, which help high school seniors hone their leadership skills. She was also a member of Upside Academy Inc., which provides community service opportunities for students.

Johnson has received numerous awards and honors over the years, including the prestigious President’s Volunteer Service Award in 2023. She received the commendation from the White House for completing over 300 hours of community service that year.

“Wendy Wayne’s legacy of service, integrity and compassion has inspired so many, and I am humbled to be recognized in her name,” Johnson said. “This award is not just a reflection of my work but a testament to the power of community, kindness and standing up for what is right. I hope to continue leading with purpose and making a positive impact in the lives of others.”