County Supervisor Lisa Bartlett and Mayor Ross Chun Receive SUA’s Highest Award of Honor

December 15, 2022
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Soka President Ed Feasel presents Orange County Supervisor Lisa Bartlett with SUA’s Highest Award of Honor

Aliso Viejo Mayor Ross Chun and Orange County Supervisor Lisa Bartlett received SUA’s Highest Award of Honor on Dec. 7 and Dec. 12 in the Founder’s Meeting Room, with both recipients recognized for their work in the community and continuous support and contributions to the university.

“Soka has always been such a great partner,” Supervisor Bartlett said upon receiving the award, a sentiment borne out by SUA President Feasel’s announcement during the ceremony that Orange County will grant Soka $200,000 as part of the funds the county received through the federal American Rescue Plan Act. The grant will be used for university facilities and programs.

Supervisor Bartlett and Mayor Chun have led distinguished careers of volunteerism and community service. Supervisor Bartlett began her career as a public servant in 2006 as an elected member of the Dana Point City Council, where she served as mayor and mayor pro-tem for the city. She was elected to the Orange County Board of Supervisors in 2014, re-elected in 2018, and served as chairwoman of the Board of the Board of Supervisors in 2016 and 2019.

Supervisor Bartlett also spearheaded the partnership between Orange County, the City of Aliso Viejo, and SUA when the university served as a Super Point of Dispensing for COVID-19 vaccinations in 2021. Between January and June that year, 296,594 people were vaccinated at SUA.

Aliso Viejo Mayor Ross Chun speaks from the podium in Soka's Founder’s Meeting Room after receiving SUA's Highest Award of Honor.

Mayor Chun started his second term as the mayor of Aliso Viejo in 2022 after many years of volunteerism. His contributions to the city began with his appointment to the Parks and Recreation Committee, and he later served as mayor pro-tem in 2018 and 2021 and mayor (for the first time) in 2019. Chun, who will complete his second year-long stint as mayor this month, remains on the city council.

“The influence of this university is felt throughout our local community and beyond,” Mayor Chun said. That impact is due in no small part to the decades-long partnership between SUA and engaged public servants like Supervisor Bartlett and Mayor Chun.