ARCS Light Honorees

About ARCS Lights

Each year, ARCS chapters select one member to be recognized for providing the highest quality of long-time service to her chapter. The distinctive ARCS Light Award recognizes recipients for continuous service that has made a positive impact on ARCS Foundation and its mission of advancing science in America. These unsung heroes of ARCS Foundation are honored at the ARCS Foundation All Members Conference.

2023 ARCS Light Honorees

Lee Doyle
Atlanta
Lee Doyle has been a member of the ARCS Atlanta Chapter since 2009. She has served as VP Membership, VP Funds Development, Co-Chair of the 2018 Chapter Retreat, Co-Chair of the Strategic Plan, as well as having served on nominating many times.

Rachelle Pulver 
Colorado

Rachelle got started with ARCS in 2014 as a scholar then after graduating, Rachelle became an ARCS member. She keeps the website updated and is the CU Denver liaison.

Cheryl Ernst 
Honolulu
Fascinated by the science stories she covered during three decades as a University of Hawaii public information officer, Cheryl joined ARCS in 1998 and has served in various board positions and on national committees. She retired from the university in 2018.

Sarah Vandenplas 
Illinois
Sarah has been involved in ARCS Illinois Chapter since 2015. She is currently the VP of Website and Data Management and served as President from 2017 to 2022. In addition, Sarah has served on the ARCS National Board as the Chair, Council of Presidents, Past Chair, Council of Presidents, and is the current Co-VP of Philanthropy.

Linda Jones Bowling
Los Angeles
Aside from being chapter president, Linda Jones Bowling was involved in many fundraising events, attended national meetings, and made life-long friends. Now living in Arizona, she is in touch with the Phoenix chapter there. While in Los Angeles, she was also involved with the Library Foundation and was a member of the Blue Ribbon.

Patty Sparrell 
Metro Washington
Patty Sparrell joined ARCS Metro Washington six years ago and made an immediate impact. She served in multiple chapter leadership roles, first as VP of Development, then later as President, and now as a Member at Large. Her contributions continue to the National level, where she served as Chair of the Council of Presidents and now as VP of Administration.

Leslie Van Houten 
Northern California
Leslie became a member of ARCS in 2019 and immediately joined the UR Council in her first year (2019-2020). She has served in many roles in our chapter and, in addition, agreed to serve as the Chapter's Parliamentarian, beginning in 2022-23.

Jacqueline B. Rojas, PhD
Orange County
Dr. Rojas attained a Masters in Instructional Technology from the University of Southern California and a PhD in Science Education from Curtin University of Technology in Perth, W. AU. She supports STEM education non-profit organizations as a board member of both the ARCS Foundation as Vice President of Alumni Relations and the AISS Foundation as Vice-Chair and Program Committee Chair. 

Julie Branford 
Oregon
Julie Branford has contributed her energy, leadership, and organizational experience to the Oregon ARCS chapter for several years. She was Chapter President or Co-President for three years from July 2018 through July 2021. She was Co-Chair leading our annual scholar event, the chapter’s biggest fundraiser, for 3 years.

Jill Bray 
Phoenix
Jill Bray has been an ARCS Phoenix Chapter member since 2016. She is Immediate Past President of the Phoenix Chapter and was VP of University Relations. She currently serves several roles on the National Board, including Chapter Engagement, the ARCS Forward Subcommittee, University Relations Committee, Alumni Hall of Fame Selection Committee and the Nominating Committee. 

Becky McGough
Pittsburgh
Becky has served the Pittsburgh Chapter diligently as Secretary of the Board, as Chair of its Nominating Committee, and as Co-Chair of its Membership Committee. She is proud of the opportunity ARCS has given its nursing scholars to showcase their research and pursue both the science and the art of caring for patients

Holly Heaton 
San Diego
Holly Heaton joined the ARCS San Diego Chapter in 2012. Holly has served on the ARCS Communications, Fund Development, University Relations, Scientist of the Year (SOY), Nominating and Membership Committees - in several Vice President and Director roles.  Most importantly, she served as ARCS San Diego Chapter President for 3 consecutive years.   

Marcia McGreevy Lewis
Seattle
Marcia joined ARCS Seattle Chapter in 2006 and served as a VP of Membership, Programs, Nominations, and Communications. Marcia is a natural leader whose skills at organizing and delivering within any role are legendary. During her Seattle Chapter presidency from 2015 to 2017, Marcia served with incredible diplomacy, compassion, and energy. 

Sue Dintelman
Utah
Sue is a founding member of the Utah Chapter and served for several years as treasurer. She stepped in twice as president to cover family emergencies and is now finishing the first year of her own two-year term. Sue has served the national organization on the IS Committee since 2016 and is currently Co-Chair.