8/20/2008 3:35:17 PM
Dr. Wayne Pierce, former Cal State Stanislaus Faculty Athletic Representative and a long time supporter of Warrior Athletics, passed away Wednesday morning.
Dr. Pierce was a Professor of Botany at CSU Stanislaus from 1971 until his retirement into Emeritus Faculty status in 2007. As one of the early members of the Biological Sciences faculty, Dr. Pierce helped the department build a high academic reputation and served as Chair for nine years.
He also served as Faculty Representative to Athletics for 25 years, teaming with his wife, Donna, as two of the most enthusiastic boosters of Warrior sports. Wayne was inducted into the Warrior Hall of Fame in 2003 in recognition of his dedication to the University’s sports programs and Donna joined him there in 2006.
"It is with deep sadness that we lost a great friend of the program. Wayne, along with his wife Donna, are two of the biggest supporters of Warrior Athletics," Director of Athletic Dr. Milton E. Richards said. "Our deepest sympathies go out to Wayne’s family and friends."
Wayne Pierce was the Warriors' Faculty Athletic Representative from 1977 to 2002 and was part of the board that established the Golden State Athletic Conference in the 70s and the Northern California Athletic Association as CSUS moved into Division II status with the NCAA.
Both Wayne and Donna continued to support Warrior Athletics after his retirement as they attended games and volunteered at various Athletics function. Donna remains one of the strongest supporters of the Athletics programs and student-athletes.
Loved by his students and colleagues and instrumental in setting up internships and special programs for teaching credential students, Pierce taught botany and plant physiology classes. He and Donna established the Wayne Pierce Scholarships for Biology students. Dr. Pierce also helped establish the University’s BioAg Project outdoor laboratory and field study site as well as the nearby California Pathways Project featuring native plants and trees of the region.
Services will be held Saturday at 4 p.m. at the Turlock Presbyterian Church, 2619 N. Berkeley. A reception will follow in the Naraghi Hall of Science lobby. The family has requested that memorial contributions go to the California Pathways Project, c/o University Advancement at California State University, Stanislaus.