Some of Extension's Rising Stars

Mitch Werner, James Butler and Mona Mordoff — Winners of the Class Giveaway Contest

All the way from Idaho, Mitch Werner is planning to travel to take a class at UCR Extension.

"I've taken several classes in field ecology when I lived in California," said Werner, a planner for the Bureau of Land Management who is living in the Great Basin Desert near Pocatello, Idaho. "I've been feeling like I want to get back to that program."

Werner can get back to the field ecology program, and soon, because his tuition for the class is free. So he can use his savings to buy a plane ticket to get here. Werner is one of the 50 winners of UCR Extension's class giveaway contest that was held in September to celebrate Extension's 50-year anniversary.

We wanted to give back to the members of our community, who have enthusiastically supported UCR Extension for 50 years. This year marks our golden anniversary so to celebrate we gave away the best we have—a sampling of the sterling quality continuing education classes that enrich a career or enhance a life.

The contest was promoted in print and electronic media. Nearly 2,000 people responded. Of the 50 who won, 25 were prior students. Twenty-five winners had never been to UC Riverside Extension before—like James Butler, of Temecula.

Butler is a right-of-way manager for the Eastern Municipal Water District. He's received our catalog in the mail and considered taking classes here. He heard about our contest through an e-mail and filled out the application on the Web.

Now he has a $300 credit to be used for any class offered at Extension through March 2005.

"I might take something in real estate or AutoCad," Butler said.

Mona Mordoff, of Moreno Valley, however, will use her free class voucher to return to UCR Extension and finish up the units she needs to earn her certificate in Writing for Publication.

"I took one Saturday class and enjoyed it so much, I enrolled in the certificate program," Mordoff said. "I encountered such great people doing what they're preaching. That's what I liked about the Extension program."

Mordoff said she was ecstatic when she found out she had won a free class. We're happy for her too. For the 25 new students who won our contest, we welcome you to UCR Extension. For the 25 returning students, we welcome you back.

Our catalog offers a vast array of courses and programs that will inspire an interest, ignite an idea, or fuel a future.

May your life in 2005 be filled with interesting instructors, fascinating classes and newfound friends here at UCR Extension.

John F. Azzaretto
Vice Chancellor, Public Service and
International Programs; and
Dean, University Extension and
Summer Sessions, UC Riverside