UC Davis Emeriti/ae and Retiree Association are pleased to announce the winner of the 2025 Charles E. Hess Founders Award is Robert Flocchini. The Founders Award is given in alternate years to emeriti/ae and the other year to retirees. It is meant to honor those emeriti/ae or retirees who have served their fellow  emeriti/ae and/or retirees in the many capacities of the university community. This year’s honoree, Robert Flocchini has served on the UC Davis Emeriti/ae Executive Committee for 10 years. He has served as Program Committee co-chair for two years; as Secretary for six years, as Vice President for one year; as Fund Raising Committee chair one year; and as Committee on Committees co-chair for one year.  In addition to many other services he continues to offer UCD, he has been unfailing in his commitment to advocate on behalf of emeriti/ae and retirees. He has been an oral historian for the Emeriti/ae Association when other members need information on how we have done things in the past. He steps into the breach when volunteers are needed to carry forward tasks. He supports the Retiree Center in their mission. He is a true colleague and a faithful friend for UCDEA and for all our emeriti/ae. 

Past Awardees

Description and Eligibility:

Established by the Retirees’ Center in 2016, this award the recognizes an individual who has made extraordinary contributions in support of continued and active engagement of UC Davis emeriti and staff retirees in university life.  Administered by a joint committee from the UCDEA and UCDRA, the award is given in alternating years to an Emeritus/a (odd years) and to UCDRA retiree (even years).

Nomination:  

The joint committee determines the nominee with input from members of respective associations

Evaluation and Selection:

The Committee consists of one of the co-chairs of the Awards & Recognition Committee will serve on the committee, the president of UCDEA, the president of UCDRA and one representatives from UCDRA.