Manzella received her M.A. in speech communication from CSUN and returned to teach at the university for five years. She also met someone who would become a great friend and colleague: Julie Gardner.
Together the pair started the company Gardner Manzella, which was originally focused on treating children with speech and language disorders. The company quickly grew in size, stature and reach, in time expanding to 12 states with more than 350 employees, many of them CSUN graduates. In making Gardner Manzella so successful, the founders did not realize they were breaking down barriers.
"While we were going through the process of developing our business, and as we got bigger and bigger, I didn't realize what anyone else really thought about it until Dr. Steve Sinclair came to our offices and said, 'Did you know that you two are icons out there at Cal State Northridge? You're paving a way. You're not just running a business on a national level, but you're two women running a business on a national level,'" Manzella recalled. "It was sort of this slow, daunting realization that we were being perceived and watched by a lot of people."
Even with so many people keeping tabs on and celebrating their successes, Manzella remained extremely grateful to her alma mater for the continued association. Today, she is very active with CSUN, serving on the Dean's Circle for the College of Health and Human Development.
"I could never have done what I did and have achieved what I've achieved had it not been for Cal State Northridge," Manzella said. "I owe Cal State Northridge, and I owe them a lot."
Each of the honorees expressed gratitude to the university for giving them the start to what would become very successful careers, and recognizing them for those successes. They also pointed out how important their CSUN educations were in giving them a well-rounded experience during such crucial years of their lives.
California State University, Northridge celebrated four of its most accomplished graduates at the 2014 Distinguished Alumni Awards on April 26 during a gala event at the Four Seasons Hotel in Westlake Village.
CSUN Today Article:
[ Ссылка ]
Diane Manzella Biographical Video:
[ Ссылка ]
Crew:
Filmed by: Richard Chambers, Joseph Monterroso, Jonathan Wong
Edited by: Richard Chambers
Produced by: CSUN University Advancement Marketing & Communications
© 2014 California State University, Northridge
