Yumans earn Univ. of Phoenix alum honors

Two local University of Phoenix alumni will be recognized Friday at their annual homecoming event.

Yuma Police Officer Tomas Salviejo and Councilman Edward Thomas will be awarded Alumni Community Service awards for their dedication to the community.

Each year the University of Phoenix Alumni Association chooses alumni to be recognized for making a difference by volunteering and giving back. The event will be held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn Yuma Pivot Point, 310 N. Madison Ave.

Salviejo is a school resource officer at Woodard Junior High School and a 22-year Marine Corps veteran.

He said he was chosen for the award because of the work he does with the students and for encouraging them to give back to their community by collecting food to benefit the Yuma Community Food Bank.

“It's really cool to receive this award ... It's the first time I've ever been selected for something like this.”

Salviejo also received the 2011 Individual School Safety Award by the National School Safety Advocacy Council during the 2011 National School Safety Conference in Phoenix; an Arizona Attorney General's Distinguished Service Award during a Crime Victims' Rights Ceremony in April at the state Capitol in Phoenix; and was recognized for securing a national grant from Lowe's for $5,000 to provide additional fencing around the school campus.

Thomas, an Army and Marine Corps veteran also with more than 20 years of service, said he was surprised to be chosen for the award and said it was for his work as a city councilman.

“I'm honored and I'm thankful for this recognition and hope to represent not only our university but our city well.”

Thomas was an administration chief with the Marines and also served 5-1/2 years in the U.S. Army before joining the Marine Corps.

He served at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma from 2000 to 2003 before being transferred to Twentynine Palms, where he retired in March 2005 with the rank of staff sergeant. Upon his retirement, he returned to Yuma to be employed as a mission support specialist for Homeland Security.

“Tomas and Edward each demonstrate the passion and drive needed to make a difference in the lives of many through their hard work with numerous organizations that support our community,” said Gregg Johnson, University of Phoenix Southern Arizona campus director.

Sarah Womer can be reached at swomer@yumasun.com or 539-6858. Find her on Facebook at Facebook.com/YSSarahWomer or on Twitter at @YSSarahWomer.