By Jennifer K. Morita

October 28, 2025

Every year since 1972, Sacramento State honors exceptional alumni for their professional achievements as well as contributions to the campus, community, and society.

The Alumni Association has selected eight individuals to receive the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Awards.

Two people will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award for career achievements as well as contributions to the community and setting high standards in their professional and personal lives.

The Distinguished Service Award will be given to five individuals for their professional achievements and community service, and one person will receive the Honorary Alumni Award recognizing those who have provided support and leadership to the University.

Distinguished Alumni Award recipients will be recognized during a reception on Oct. 30 at the Harper Alumni Center.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Kinzie Murphy MS ’87 (Speech Pathology and Audiology)
Retired, Sutter Memorial Hospital
Kinzie Murphy’s career spans over three decades in medical, educational, and public service settings, including work as a school-based speech-language specialist, hospital-based speech-language pathologist, feeding consultant, and clinical instructor. Her expertise and compassionate care have positively impacted clients across the lifespan, particularly infants and children, who are drawn to her gentle and effective approach.

She has held key leadership roles in the California Speech-Language-Hearing Association (CSHA), including District 2 director and commissioner on legislation. Her long-standing service earned her the CSHA District 2 Outstanding Service Award (2006), CSHA Fellow recognition (2010), and, most recently, the 2025 Honors of the Association—CSHA’s highest distinction.

Murphy received her MS in Speech Pathology and Audiology from California State University, Sacramento in 1986 and served as an instructor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. She has provided perennial support to the Maryjane Rees Language, Speech, and Hearing Center Audiology and Speech and Language Clinics at Sacramento State that provide free services to over 900 community members each year.

Murphy has mentored hundreds of speech-language pathology and audiology students, served as an ambassador for community health initiatives, and helped connect statewide organizations through her leadership and philanthropy with a commitment to improving communication health and equity in the region.

Mahmud Sharif ’84 (Mechanical Engineering)
Owner, Sharif Financial Corporation
Mahmud Sharif was born in Jerusalem, where his grandfather opened the first Sharif Jewelers in 1932. In 1977, Sharif moved to pursue his education, eventually transferring to California State University, Sacramento, graduating in 1983 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. While attending Sacramento State, he began his journey in the jewelry trade by opening a small jewelry repair shop. He realized his true calling was in precious stones, not precision mathematics.

In the 1980s, Sharif opened his first store in Sacramento. The chain grew to five beautiful showrooms across the greater Sacramento area with the partnership of his brother, Hazem, and now a fourth generation of family jewelers. The modest repair shop has grown into one of the region’s most respected names in fine jewelry, including as the Sacramento Kings’ official jeweler since 2016.

Family is significant for Sharif. He and wife, Lubna, have four sons and one daughter, all of whom graduated from Sacramento State. He also embraces his customer’s families, welcoming each generation into the store with a warm handshake and their famous Turkish coffee and baklava.

Sharif Jewelers remains committed to exceptional service, community support, and integrity—while preparing a fifth generation to carry on the tradition.

Distinguished Service Award

Ronald K. Fong ’83 (Psychology)
President & CEO, California Grocers Association
Ron Fong is president and CEO of the California Grocers Association (CGA), a role he has held since 2008. Under his leadership, CGA has grown into the state’s largest grocery association, representing over 300 retailers and 250 suppliers, including national chains, independents, and online grocers. He also oversees the CGA Educational Foundation, which provides scholarships to grocery industry employees and their families.

Fong has guided CGA through major milestones, including the passage of California’s landmark plastic bag ban (SB 270), the defeat of Prop. 37, and two strategic mergers that expanded CGA’s reach. He was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom to serve on the COVID-19 Economic Recovery Task Force and the State Community Vaccine Task Force. In 2024, he was named one of the Sacramento Business Journal’s “Top CEOs.”

A Sacramento native, Fong’s grocery roots run deep—his grandfather opened the family’s first store in 1941. Before joining CGA, he was a lobbyist and worked in both private law and the Sacramento District Attorney’s Office. He holds a BA in Organizational Psychology from Sacramento State and a J.D. from New College School of Law. He and his wife, Carol, a licensed clinical counselor, have one son, Jaden, a Stanford graduate,

Art Pimentel ’02, MA ’10 (Social Science/Higher Education Leadership)
President, Folsom Lake College
Art Pimentel serves as President of Folsom Lake College, with over 19 years of experience in higher education. Under his leadership, the college has seen a 32% increase in enrollment, reflecting significant progress in closing equity gaps for disproportionately impacted student populations. He has cultivated strong partnerships with business and community stakeholders, securing a record-breaking $2.5 million donation from Sutter Health and overseeing the completion of an $85.9 million science building. Pimentel has also strengthened collaborations with K–12 districts to expand dual enrollment opportunities for high school students.

Previously, he served as dean of Sacramento City College’s West Sacramento Center and as interim director of educational services and student success for the Los Rios Community College District. Pimentel holds a BA in Social Sciences and an MA in Educational Leadership from California State University, Sacramento, and a Doctorate in Education (Ed.D.) from UC Davis.

Pimentel also has a background in public service, having served as mayor of Woodland and on the Woodland City Council. In 2023, he was one of the Sacramento Bee’s Top 25 Latino Change Makers and was the Folsom Chamber of Commerce’s 2025 Educator of the Year. He remains committed to education and community impact.

Peter L. Tateishi ’02 (Government)
Chief Executive Officer, Associated General Contractors of California
Peter Tateishi is the CEO of the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of California, the largest AGC chapter in the nation. AGC California is a mission-driven organization dedicated to advancing the construction industry’s vital role in building and strengthening the state. Since Tateishi took the helm in 2018, AGC’s revenue has grown by over 150% to $16 million annually, staff has expanded to 54, and contractor membership has reached record levels, with over 85% engagement.

Under his leadership, AGC California was recognized as one of the “Best Places to Work” by the Sacramento Business Journal in 2024 and 2025. Prior to AGC, Tateishi served as chief of staff to Congressman Dan Lungren and led the Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce and Sacramento Regional Builders Exchange as CEO.
Tateishi was honored as a “Most Admired CEO” in 2023 and received the “Built Community Impact Award” from BuildOUT California in 2022. Tateishi was also a 2013 Sacramento Business Journal “40 Under 40” honoree.

Tateishi earned a BA in Government from California State University, Sacramento and an MPA from USC. He currently serves on multiple advisory boards and has served on several commissions, district, and nonprofit boards across the region.

Shelley Wetton ’94, MA ’98 (English)
SVP/Chief Marketing Officer, Five Star Bank
Shelley Wetton began working at Five Star Bank in 2015, first as vice president of Community Relations and Communications, and since 2018 as senior vice president and chief marketing officer. With over 25 years of experience in corporate branding, media relations, and strategic marketing, she leads all branding, communications, and marketing efforts, along with corporate partnerships and corporate giving.

Prior to Five Star, Wetton was vice president of Corporate Communications at The Buzz Oates Group of Companies, where she worked directly with Buzz Oates for more than 15 years until his passing in 2013. She has worked closely with the company’s board of directors since its founding in 1999.

Wetton holds two degrees from California State University, Sacramento, a BA and MA in English. She is a graduate of the Sacramento Metro Chamber Foundation's 2018 Leadership Sacramento class.

In 2023, Wetton was recognized as Chief Marketing Officer of the Year by the Sacramento Business Journal’s C-Suite Awards and was a featured speaker at the 2024 American Banker Association’s Marketing Conference.

She currently serves on the boards of 3Strands Global Foundation, Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce, and American River Parkway Foundation, with previous service at the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Lori D. Wilson ’02 (Accounting)
California Assemblywoman, Dist. 11
Assemblywoman Lori D. Wilson was elected in April 2022 to represent California’s 11th Assembly District, which includes all of Solano County and parts of Contra Costa and Sacramento Counties. She made history as the first freshman legislator elected chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus (2023–2024) and is the only Black woman in state history to be appointed chair of the influential Assembly Transportation Committee.

In addition to her legislative leadership, Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Wilson to the Governor’s Military Council, which was established in 2013 to support and grow California’s defense and national security missions. Her service reflects a deep commitment to both state and national priorities.

Prior to her election to the Assembly, Wilson was the first Black female mayor to serve in the entire history of Solano County. Elected to the Suisun City Council in 2012, she served as vice- mayor for six years before winning the mayoral race in 2018.

Since joining the Assembly, she has championed policies that create quality jobs, improve public safety, and enhance the quality of life for her constituents and all Californians. Wilson brings a strong voice to the Capitol, with leadership that paves the way for future generations.

Honorary Alumnus Award

Brandon Gonzales
Owner, Flawless Boxing and Sacramento State Boxing Coach
Brandon ‘Flawless’ Gonzáles is a former world-class professional boxer with a long list of accomplishments and accolades. He was a member of the U.S. National Team and achieved the distinction of being the No.1 ranked amateur in the U.S. and the No.1 rated super middleweight in the world as a pro. His fights were broadcast on some of the biggest platforms in the world of sports, including HBO, ESPN, Showtime, and Sky Sport PPV, which is a testament to his skill and popularity in the ring. Gonzales’s professional record is 18-1, with 10 wins by knock out.

Now in retirement, Gonzales continues to make a lasting impact in the boxing community, dedicating his time and expertise to working with young boxers. He is currently the head boxing coach at Sacramento State, leading a program under the first-of-its-kind Combat U. Gonzales also proudly serves as the CEO of Flawless4youth, a nonprofit dedicated to fostering the growth and education of Sacramento's youth. Through mentorship programs and educational initiatives, the organization contributes to positive community transformations.

With his passion for the sport, commitment to helping others, and impressive record, Gonzales serves as a true inspiration and valuable mentor to the next generation of fighters.