Award winners

Jose Paul Corona

They are often the women behind the scenes making sure all goes

well, but they are also found in the forefront taking charge and

simply making things happen.

Today, the Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce will award Margie

Bunten, director public relations and institutional advancement at

Golden West College, the 2002 Athena Award. The Outstanding Citizen

Award will go to Charlene Bauer, a community activist.

Bauer, who is used to the spotlight falling on her husband,

Councilman Ralph Bauer, said that it was a little bit “embarrassing”

to find out that she would be given the award.

“This is a whole town of volunteers,” she said, “It’s neat that

everybody takes their own little segment and makes it their own.”

Bauer, 70, has lived in Huntington Beach since 1964 and says that

she can think of at least 50 other people who are more involved in

the community than she is.

“We’re a big town of activists,” she explained.

The Outstanding Citizen Award is given to an individual who’s

performed an extraordinary act or voluntary service to the community.

Bauer was a co-founder of the Friends of the Library and has been

a life-long member of the Historical Society. She was part of the

library board that helped select award winning architect Richard

Neutra to build the Central Library. She was a charter member of the

Amigos de Bolsa Chica. Even though her constant volunteering is a lot

of work, Bauer said she enjoys every minute of it.

She’s met a majority of her friends through her volunteer work and

she doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon.

“It’s fun and you meet great people,” she said.

Bunten, a driving force at Golden West College, will be honored

with the 2002 Athena Award.

The Athena Award recognizes women who have taken a leadership role

in their community, said Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce

President Joyce Riddell.

“It’s just wonderful,” Bunten said, “I’m really humbled that I’m

with other women that have received this award.”

While at Golden West, Bunten has helped in raising thousands of

dollars in scholarships for the college. A graduate of Chapman

University, she has been with Golden West College for the past 10

years in a variety of positions. She’s been in her current role for

the past four.

She has served as a member of the community college board, is the

current president of the Network of California Community Colleges

Foundation and is a member of the Community College Public Relations

Officers Organizations. In her position as staff development

coordinator at Golden West College she helped train faculty, staff

and mangers in a variety of tasks and she also helped to coordinate

the college’s successful “Oceans of Opportunity” marketing campaign.

Ken Yglesias, president of Golden West College and Bunten’s

immediate supervisor, nominated her for the award. He describes her

as a “bundle of energy” who can go in many different directions at

once.

“She’s a loyal employee,” he said, “I’m very proud of her work at

the college.”

The two will be honored today with a luncheon at the Hilton

Waterfront Resort.

* JOSE PAUL CORONA covers City Hall and education. He can be

reached at (714) 965-7173 or by e-mail at jose.corona@latimes.com.