AWC Alumni Invited for Celebration Breakfast
October 19, 20172017 AWC Hall of Fame Inductees Lynne Pancrazi and Bengie Molina to be honored
Yuma, AZ (October 19, 2017)- Arizona Western College is inviting alumni to the AWC Alumni Breakfast and Hall of Fame Celebration on Wednesday, October 25, in the Schoening Conference Center from 8:00-9:00am. AWC’s 2017 Hall of Fame Inductees, Lynne Pancrazi and Bengie Molina, will be honored at the breakfast.
Doors will open at 7:45 a.m. and the event will begin with a performance of the alma mater by AWC choral students.
“Over the years, AWC has produced many outstanding students who are leaders in our community. It is an honor to recognize the 2017 Inductees for their outstanding service to our community,” said Renee Smith, AWC Director of Institutional Advancement.
2017 Hall of Fame Inductee Lynne Pancrazi
Lynne Pancrazi has helped to change the face of education in Yuma and Arizona for the better. She did this through her work as an elected member of the Arizona House of Representatives (2007–2013) and the Arizona Senate (2013–2017), where she influenced legislation and policy at the state level and beyond on issues related to education, natural resources, public safety, and budget. She’s also known for her dedication to a safe and secure border, managed growth, adequate infrastructure and rural community issues. A product of Yuma public schools, Pancrazi spent 28 years as a teacher, instructor and athletic coach in Yuma Elementary School District One. She studied Criminal Justice at Arizona Western College and received her bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from Point Loma Nazarene College. Pancrazi also received her master’s degree in Elementary Education from Northern Arizona University. She currently serves District 5 on the Yuma County Board of Supervisors after being elected to the position in 2016.
2017 Hall of Fame Inductee Bengie Molina
Before Bengie Molina was an Angel, a Blue Jay, a Giant, or a Ranger – he was a Matador. After graduating from high school with honors in Puerto Rico, Molina played shortstop and pitched for Arizona Western College in 1991 and 1992. From there Molina went on to become a catcher in the Major Leagues where he won two World Series rings (Anaheim Angels in 2002, San Francisco Giants in 2010). He was also awarded a Golden Glove as the top defensive player at his position in both 2002 and 2003. Molina’s baseball career includes a rare feat of hitting for the cycle in one game. On July 16, 2010, Molina hit (in order) a single, a double, a grand slam home run, and a triple. He is the first catcher in Major League history to hit for the cycle with a grand slam. After retiring from the majors, Molina went on to coach with the St. Louis Cardinals and the Texas Rangers, and made a third trip to the World Series with St. Louis. Molina is also a published author, having written the New York Times bestselling book “Molina: The Story of the Father Who Raised an Unlikely Dynasty.”
For more information or to RSVP for the breakfast, contact the AWC Foundation Office at foundation@azwestern.edu or at (928) 344-1720.
Contact:
Renee Smith
Director of Institutional Advancement
Arizona Western College
Renee.Smith@azwestern.edu
(928) 344-1723