[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 55 (Tuesday, April 12, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E407-E408]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING DR. RUBEN ARMINANA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 12, 2016

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I, along with Representative 
Huffman, rise to honor Dr. Ruben Arminana as he prepares to retire 
after serving as the president of Sonoma State University for over two 
decades. We wish Dr. Arminana and his wife, Marne Olson, a happy 
retirement with time to spend with their children and grandchildren.
  Born in Cuba, Dr. Arminana came to the United States as a child with 
the American-sponsored Operation Peter Pan, and settled in Texas with 
his aunt and uncle. He earned his Associates Degree from Hill Junior 
College in Texas, before going on to complete his B.A. and M.A. at the 
University of Texas at Austin. After completing his Ph.D. in Political 
Science at the University of New Orleans, he joined Tulane University's 
administration. While living in New Orleans, Dr. Arminana also worked 
as a news anchor and consultant for a Spanish-language news program. 
Dr. Arminana's career in education brought him to California in 1988, 
and, in 1992, Dr. Arminana was appointed President of Sonoma State 
University.
  While California State University presidents serve five years on 
average, Dr. Arminana has served Sonoma State University for 24 years--
an impressive tenure in which he has supported great developments for 
the university. While serving as President, Dr. Arminana oversaw the 
expansion of the school's curriculum and student body, making Sonoma 
State University one of the most sought-out campuses in the California 
State University system.
  Dr. Arminana's work also led to many additions to the campus during 
his tenure. The Environmental Technology Center, completed in

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2001, used sustainable materials and building techniques and serves as 
a model for innovative architecture. To accommodate a growing student 
body, Sonoma State University doubled the capacity of residential 
housing, offering students diverse housing options. Through Dr. 
Arminana's vision, the University opened the Donald & Maureen Green 
Music Center and its acoustically-perfect Joan and Sanford I. Weill 
Hall.
  An enthusiastic community servant, Dr. Arminana shares his 
educational expertise by serving on the North Bay Leadership Council 
and the Corporation for Education Network Initiatives in California, 
and maintains memberships in the Hispanic Association of College and 
Universities and the Santa Rosa Chamber Business Education Leaders 
Committee. Dr. Arminana has championed Sonoma State University's 
commitment to diversity with the President's Diversity Council, and 
established the successful Osher Lifelong Learning Institute to expand 
services for students over the age of 50.
  Mr. Speaker, Dr. Arminana has dedicated over two decades to ensuring 
the success of Sonoma State University. Therefore, it is fitting and 
proper that we honor him here today.

                          ____________________