January 31, 2003

Distinguished alumni honored

California State University, Sacramento has granted degrees to nearly 151,000 people throughout its 56-year history and in March, the Alumni Association is acknowledging several alumni for their contributions to the University and the community. The 17th annual Distinguished Alumni Awards Dinner is 6:30 p.m., Thursday, March 6 at the Steven Lee Yamshon Alumni Center.

The association is granting Distinguished Service Awards to Virginia Avila, a Grant High School English teacher; Robert Dean, managing director of Grubb & Ellis Real Estate Co.; Edward Del Biaggio, vice president for administration at CSUS; Mike Dourgarian, CEO of Manpower, Inc.; artist Jim Fitzpatrick; Gail Hullibarger, SMUD assistant general manager; Judy Quattrin, a former lecturer in the CSUS recreation and leisure studies department and Ben Roberts, president of the University of Liberia in Monrovia, Liberia.

This year's Honorary Alumnus Award will be presented to former California state senator Gary Hart and emeritus business professor Nicholas Windeshausen.

The association is giving the Distinguished Faculty Award to communication studies professor Marlene von Friederichs-Fitzwater. She is also the founder of the Health Communication Research Institute.

Tickets to the awards dinner are $75 per person and $600 for a table of eight. Reservations are due by Tuesday, Feb. 25 and can be made by calling (916) 278-6295. Media assistance is available from the CSUS public affairs office at (916) 278-6156.

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