By Kim Lamb Gregory
A philanthropist who has championed ±¬ĮĻ³Ō¹Ļ from the beginning, as well as an alumna who is making change for those with disabilities ā both received honorary doctorates at the 2025 ±¬ĮĻ³Ō¹Ļ commencement ceremonies held on May 17.
Philanthropist Linda Dullam, a dedicated ±¬ĮĻ³Ō¹Ļ supporter since its inception, received a Doctor of Humane Letters at the 9 a.m. commencement ceremony. Class of 2016 alumna Dani Anderson, Ventura Countyās first Disability Access Manager, received her Doctor of Humane Letters at the 2 p.m. ceremony, making her the first ±¬ĮĻ³Ō¹Ļ alumna ever to receive an honorary doctorate.
President Yao penned nomination letters to the Chancellorās Office with high praise for both recipients.
āMrs. Dullamās contributions extend beyond ±¬ĮĻ³Ō¹Ļ to numerous organizations that enrich the cultural and social fabric of Ventura County,ā President Yao wrote. āHer deep ties to the region and longstanding philanthropic efforts highlight her commitment to making a positive impact.ā
Dullam has been a familiar face on the campus for more than 23 years. As an original member of the ±¬ĮĻ³Ō¹Ļ Foundation Board, she was instrumental in the launch of the Presidentās Dinner ā which she usually chairs ā the most significant fundraising event for the University, as well as the Presidentās Circle, which is a stewardship program of donors who annually donate $1,000 or more. Dullamās philanthropic efforts also spearheaded the fundraising effort to rename University Hall to Richard R. Rush Hall, honoring the founding president of the University.
Dullamās advocacy for higher education in the region is well-known and has earned her numerous honors, including the Robert J. Lagomarsino Award in 2006. A courtyard adjacent to the John Spoor Broome Library was re-christened the Dullam Courtyard in 2021 to honor her late husband John, and their vigorous and unwavering support for ±¬ĮĻ³Ō¹Ļ.
As a 2016 Communication alumna, Danielle āDaniā Anderson has never been at a loss for words ā until President Yao contacted her with the news about the honorary doctorate.
āWhen I found out I would be getting this honor, I was speechless. Iām never speechless,ā Anderson said.
Born and raised in Thousand Oaks, Anderson has lived with a rare form of muscular dystrophy that had her using a wheelchair after sixth grade. When she attended ±¬ĮĻ³Ō¹Ļ, her specialty was disability culture and communication, which has served her well as Ventura Countyās first-ever Disability Access Manager, a position she has held since 2022.
āDaniās focus on enhancing the Countyās architecture, public transportation, digital infrastructure, emergency services, and community programs aims to create a regional environment that is welcoming to all, President Yao wrote in Andersonās nomination letter.
āWith over 15 years of experience in the disability field, including roles in the state and federal governments, nonprofit arenas, and customer service, Dani has been recognized for her commitment to fostering inclusivity,ā President Yao wrote.
Among her other accomplishments, Anderson was named Woman of the Year by California State Senator Hanna-Beth Jackson and Assemblymember Monique Limon in 2020.
If thereās one message Anderson hopes to get across, itās that people with disabilities are not sad, needy, dependent or different.
āIām not brave just because Iām ordering coffee at Starbucks,ā she said. āWeāre just trying to live the same boring life as everybody else.ā