Disney Studios executive Michael Jedlicka '85 to address Honors Convocation May 17
Michael Jedlicka '85
- March 20, 2014
Michael Jedlicka, vice president for technology and strategy for The Walt Disney Studios, will address honors students and their families at Cal State East Bay’s 2014 Honors Convocation ceremony on Saturday, May 17. The convocation begins at 10 a.m. in the University Peristyle area, in front of the Music Building on CSUEB’s Hayward campus, 25800 Carlos Bee Blvd.
The ceremony recognizes individual scholastic achievements of 278 graduating students and 25 University Honors Program graduates. Ninety-seven students have been recommended for summa cum laude (3.85 to 4.0 grade point average), 80 for magna cum laude (3.75 to 3.84), and 101 for cum laude (3.65 to 3.74) recognition.
The graduating members of the University Honors Program – who must have a 3.6 grade point average when they are admitted to CSUEB and take at least one honors program course per quarter while maintaining a 3.6 GPA at the university – also will be recognized.
Jedlicka, who earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science from CSUEB in 1985, has been named the “2014 Distinguished Alumnus” by the university. He will be joined at the ceremony by Lanette Jimerson, who received her CSUEB bachelor’s degree in English in 1996, and has been named “2014 Distinguished Young Alumna” by the university.
“Without question, Cal State East Bay has a long history of Distinguished Alumni,” Jedlicka said. “I am deeply honored and humbled to receive this recognition from CSUEB.”
Jedlicka has been with the Disney Studios for 20 years. During the first 10 years he was executive director of technology at Walt Disney Feature Animation, where he was in charge of technology teams that included four digital animation studios. His animation film credits include movies such as Pocahontas and Chicken Little, while his visual effects credits include motion pictures such as Kangaroo Jack, Reign of Fire, Gone in Sixty Seconds, Mission to Mars, Unbreakable – and most recently – Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Currently, he oversees numerous technology teams that support production and post production activities on the Disney Studio lot.
“Our university is pleased to honor these two alumni for their outstanding accomplishments,” said Cal State East Bay President Leroy M. Morishita. “As the Distinguished Alumnus, Michael truly reflects the university's values by making significant achievements in his field. He and his teams have advanced the use of technology in the film industry. In addition, his constant drive to learn serves as a tremendous example for all of our students and graduates.”
"As I look back, I see the key moments when the combination of skills I acquired on the job, mixed with a relevant education, were inflexion points in my career," Jedlicka said. "I am grateful for the educational opportunity provided for me by this university, and I am proud to be a Cal State East Bay alumnus."
Jimerson, a Bay Area native, coaches teachers and emerging education leaders, in addition to writing children’s books and mentoring first-generation college students. She was the first person in her family to receive a degree from a four-year institution.
“As a first-generation college graduate, Cal State East Bay provided me the opportunity to begin a new cycle; both of my younger brothers earned a university degree,” Jimerson said. “As an alumna, I am committed to supporting future first generation college graduates of Cal State East Bay, whether through scholarship or mentoring.”
“We are proud of Lanette as our Distinguished Young Alumna of the Year,” Morishita said. “Her journey, as well as the work she is doing, impacts education and students at many levels. What she has achieved in her brief career is quite extraordinary.”
Immediately following the convocation, a reception for all in attendance will be held in the Theatre Grove, adjacent to the University Peristyle.