California State University, Bakersfield President Lynnette Zelezny has awarded the university’s highest honor — the President’s Medal — to businesswoman and philanthropist Lavonne C. Hall for her decades of extraordinary, selfless service to the families of Kern County.
“Lavonne never seeks out praise or thanks from the community she serves and loves,” President Zelezny said Thursday in recorded remarks at the annual President’s Associates reception, which honors supporters of the university’s distinguished student research program.
“She has a servant’s heart and would be happy to remain in the shadows, working tirelessly and quietly for our community’s benefit. But, Lavonne, your friends at CSUB see you. And appreciate you. And are grateful for you.”
President Zelezny surprised Mrs. Hall with the medal recently after inviting her to the university to inspect the progress of the Harvey L. Hall Family Plaza, under construction outside the Icardo Center. Mrs. Hall presented the gift to CSUB to honor her husband and former Bakersfield Mayor Harvey L. Hall, a passionate supporter of Roadrunner Athletics.
“I was both surprised and honored for Dr. Zelezny to select me as the recipient of this year’s President’s Medal,” Mrs. Hall said. “Those who know me understand that CSUB holds an incredibly special place in my heart, whether providing student support or cheering on the `Runners with my family.
“The university is a vital community asset that has contributed to the betterment of Bakersfield through the relationships and partnerships it has forged with local businesses over the past 50 years by preparing tomorrow’s workforce.”
In her remarks, President Zelezny noted that Mrs. Hall’s philanthropy extends well beyond the university into every corner of our region.
“And when her husband lost his battle with a neurological disease, Lavonne, her daughter, Amy, and granddaughter, Skyler, made a promise in his memory to support the search for treatments so that other families would be spared the pain they endured.”
Mrs. Hall serves as president and chief executive officer of Hall Ambulance Service, Inc., which provides 911 paramedic service to residents of Kern County.
Like CSUB, Hall Ambulance is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year.
Harvey L. Hall founded the company in 1971 with a $15,000 bank loan and two ambulances. The company’s core priorities are care, compassion and community.
Mrs. Hall, who started at Hall Ambulance as an Emergency Medical Technician, is committed to carrying on her husband’s vision for the business as well as his devotion to the people of our region.
In October, Mrs. Hall joined President Zelezny for the groundbreaking of the Harvey L. Hall Family Plaza, a major project that will improve the appearance outside the Icardo Center and serve as a place where families and fans can meet and socialize before games and other events. The focal point of the plaza will be a bronze statue of Rowdy, the Roadrunners’ mascot.
The plaza is scheduled to be dedicated during when classes return for fall 2021.
Mrs. Hall joins a list of President’s Medal recipients — including her husband — whose names are synonymous with integrity, leadership and philanthropy going back to 1997, when former President Horace Mitchell bestowed the first awards, to Mrs. Millie Ablin and Mr. George Martin.
Last year, President Zelezny bestowed the President’s Medal on agribusiness leader Barbara Grimm-Marshall for her commitment to uplifting and advancing the region through education, philanthropy and innovation.
CSU Bakersfield President’s Medal recipients:
- 1997, Mrs. Millie Ablin
- 1997, Mr. George Martin
- 1998, Mr. Jimmie Icardo
- 1998, Mr. Milton Younger
- 1999, Dr. Kelly Blanton
- 1999, Mr. Bruce Bunker
- 1999, Mrs. Joan Dezember
- 2000, Mr. Gregory Bynum
- 2000, Mrs. Virginia Church
- 2000, Mrs. Helen Windes
- 2001, Mr. Curtis Darling
- 2001, Dr. Hans Einstein
- 2001, Mr. John Giumarra
- 2002, Mrs. Sheryl Barbich
- 2002, Mr. E.L. “Skeet” Varner
- 2002, Mr. Gene Voiland
- 2003, Mrs. Beverly Dukes
- 2003, Mr. Fred Dukes
- 2003, Mrs. Judy Fritch
- 2004, Mr. Bill Hatcher
- 2004, Mr. Bob Karpe
- 2004, Dr. Robert Sheldon
- 2005, Mr. Morgan Clayton
- 2005, Dr. George Hibbard
- 2005, Dr. Jim George
- 2005, Dr. Robert Marshall
- 2006, Vince Rojas
- 2006, Dr. Ed Sasaki
- 2007, Mr. W. Michael Chertok
- 2007, Mr. David H. Murdock
- 2007, Mrs. Evangeline Myles
- 2007, Dr. Homer Myles
- 2007, the Honorable William M. Thomas
- 2008, Mrs. Audrey Cochran
- 2008, Mr. Warner Williams
- 2012, Mr. Gaurdie Banister
- 2012, Mr. Bruce Johnson
- 2012, Dr. Girish Patel
- 2012, Dr. Pragati Patel
- 2013, Mr. Buck Owens
- 2013, Dr. Julio Blanco
- 2014, Mrs. Greta Lydecker
- 2014, Mayor Harvey Hall
- 2014, Dr. Soraya Coley
- 2014, Mr. Michael Neal
- 2015, Mrs. Barbara J.B.Mitchell
- 2015, Mrs. Gayle Batey
- 2015, Dr. Jacquelyn Kegley
- 2018, Dr. Kim Flachmann
- 2018, Ms. Dolores Huerta
- 2018, Mr. Steve Renock
- 2019, Mr. John Nilon
- 2020, Mrs. Barbara Grimm-Marshall
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