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Awards to honor alumni contributions

Sacramento State’s annual tribute to alumni achievement—the Distinguished Service Awards—will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 6 at the Alumni Center.

This emcee for this year’s event will be Tina Macuha, Sacramento State alumna (’85, Communication Studies) and reporter for UPN 31’s “Good Day Sacramento.” The evening will feature a champagne reception with entertainment by Sacramento State Jazz, dinner and the presentation of awards by President Alexander Gonzalez and Alumni Association President Jeanie Esajian.

A special campus community price of $700 per table of eight is available. Individual tickets are $100. Tickets can be purchased through March 28 by calling 278-6295.

This year, eight alumnus are being recognized for their constributions to the community and their alma mater. They are:

Lifetime Achievement Award

William Campbell III (’67, Accountancy and ’70, M.B.A.) Co-owner Spare Time, Inc., and Coach, Sac State Hornets Women’s Tennis Team. Campbell is a generous benefactor to Sac State, not only monetarily but in time. Campbell took over as tennis coach in 1999—he donates his services—and led the team to four straight Big Sky Championships, receiving Coach of the Year honors each time. He has served as executive director and president of the original Stinger Foundation and is on the re-established Stinger Advisory Board. He has also served on the College of Business Administration and Accountancy Department advisory boards and is a member of President Gonzalez’ Executive Committee for the Recreation, Wellness, Events Center and Stadium project. He was named Alumnus of the Year by the College of Business Administration and received Order of the Hornet and Distinguished Service awards in 1988. He has also served on many local non-profits boards and has received numerous civic honors including Philanthropist of the Year from the National Society of Fund Raising Executives in 1992.

Distinguished Service Awards

Jack Bertolucci, (‘50, Business Administration). For 27 years, Bertolucci was vice president and regional manager of Norris, Beggs and Simpson, a mortgage banking and real estate company. He was president of the Sacramento Mortgage Bankers’ Association and the North Area Junior Chamber of Commerce. He was the second president of the Alumni Association and was instrumental in getting Alumni Grove built. He is a member of the President’s Circle and also established two scholarships for student athletes studying business administration..

Patrick P. Fenwick, (‘61 Recreation Administration, ‘71 Physical Education) District Administrator for Arden Park Recreation and Park District. Fenwick has been with the Arden Park District since 1992, overseeing the renovation of several district facilities and developing the district's first master plan. He serves on numerous boards and committees and has received several professional awards. Fenwick has served the University on a variety of project committees including president of the Recreation, Park and Leisure Studies Chapter of the Alumni Association.

Jack Higdon, (‘52, Accountancy) Chairman of the Board of California Moving Systems. Higdon is a long-time supporter of the University and the Alumni Association. He served on the Alumni Association Board of Directors for nearly 10 years. He has also been a strong supporter of the University’s athletics programs. At events he is known for doing whatever he can to get the job done, from setting up chairs to firing-up the barbecue. Higdon founded California Moving Systems in 1967. He is active in the Rotary Club of Sacramento and other community organizations.

Theresa “Terri” A. Parker, (‘76, Economics) Executive Director of the California Housing Finance Agency. Parker has a long career in state service. Under her direction, CalHFA lending to first-time homebuyers has increased 20 percent. Before her appointment to CalHFA in 1997, she was chief deputy director for policy at the Department of Finance. Parker serves on several state boards and has been awarded numerous citations including the 2003 Distinguished Public Official by the Non-profit Housing Association of Northern California.

Randall E. Reynoso, (’80, Finance) President and COO of Placer Sierra Bancshares and Placer Sierra Bank. Reynoso has been an active supporter of non-profit organizations in the Sacramento area for more than 22 years, raising more than $1 million. He has been board president for the Stanford Home for Children Foundation and helped raise funds for the American Red Cross, the Nonprofit Resource Center, the Sacramento Children’s Home, and the American Leadership Forum. He received the Annual Award of Excellence from the Center for AIDS Research Education and Services and the Unsung Hero Award from the Community Services Council.

Rene Syler (‘87, psychology), Co-anchor, CBS News’ “The Early Show.” Syler is an award-winning television broadcaster and part of a four-person anchor team on “The Early Show.” She previously worked at stations in Sacramento, Reno, Birmingham, Ala., and Dallas. In 2004, Syler earned a Gracie Allen Award in 2004 for Individual Achievement for her work in breast cancer awareness and prevention, using her personal experience with the disease to educate others. The American Women in Radio and Television also awarded her Television Personality of the Year in 1997. Syler is active with the Susan G. Komen Foundation and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and the National Association of Black Journalists.

Distinguished Faculty Award

Marilyn Hopkins, (’70, Nursing) Dean of the College of Health and Human Services. Hopkins oversees one of the University’s largest Colleges. She has more than 20 years teaching experience in higher education after beginning her career as a registered nurse in critical care settings. In addition to leading the College’s academic efforts, she has helped it obtain funds for nationally recognized professional learning opportunities for students, and for community interventions with high-risk families. She was awarded the Bautzer Faculty University Advancement Award from the CSU system in 2003 for achievements in fundraising. She serves on the board of the Community Services Planning.

— Laurie Hall