Fresno County Superior Court Judge Robert Oliver (1966) leads the 2010 “class” of accomplished California State University, Fresno alumni, who will be recognized Oct. 15 at the Fresno State Alumni Association’s Top Dog Alumni Awards Gala as part of the Centennial Homecoming.

Oliver is the recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus Top Dog Award not only for his judicial work, but also for his many years of service as chairman of the Fresno State Foundation Board and his other activities in support of his alma mater and the Alumni Association. In April, Oliver received 2010 Foundation Service Award for his work.

Each year, one alumnus of each of the university’s eight colleges and schools and of the Division of Graduate Studies, Henry Madden Library, Division of Student Affairs and Division of Athletics is chosen as Top Dog Outstanding Alumni representing their area.

The 2010 Outstanding Alumni are:

  • Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology – Hal H. Huffsmith (1970), senior vice president for vineyard operations at Trinchero Family Estates in the Napa Valley, whose Sutter Home wines have received worldwide recognition.
  • College of Arts and Humanities – Brian Turner (1994), an award-winning poet whose book “Here, Bullet” chronicled his own Army infantry combat service in Iraq. His new work is “Phantom Noise,” which also deals with the costs of war.
  • Division of Athletics – Brian Panish (1980), a Los Angeles-based trial lawyer whose clients have been awarded millions of dollars.
  • Craig School of Business – Ashley Swearengin (1994 and MBA), elected Fresno mayor in 2008 after serving as Fresno State’s director of community and economic development and chief operations officer of the Fresno Regional Jobs Initiative.
  • Kremen School of Education and Human Development – Dr. James Bushman (1983, ’87, ’88), head of school at the University High School charter school on the Fresno State campus.
  • Lyles College of Engineering – James Kardach (1985), whose innovative genius includes Bluetooth hands-free mobile phone technology for Intel.
  • Division of Graduate Studies – Burton Wadsworth (posthumously) (1950), who died in 2008, was a top administrator at Victor Valley College from its opening in 1961 until his retirement in 1984, following 26 years as the college’s president.
  • College of Health and Human Services – Jim Yovino (1989), a career educator who serves as deputy superintendent for the Fresno County Office of Education.
  • Henry Madden Library – Denise Sciandra (1975), a law office administrator who has chaired the Arne Nixon Center Advocates supporting the library’s center for the study of children’s literature.
  • College of Science and Mathematics – Dr. Edward Diener (1968), a psychological researcher and prolific author who promotes strategies to sustain good mental health and well being.
  • College of Social Sciences – Dr. Ray Fair (1964), a Yale economics professor and expert in international finance who has written numerous texts in his field.
  • Division of Student Affairs – Robert Whalen Jr. (1987), a deputy Fresno County district attorney who has twice been elected to the Clovis City Council and served as the Clovis mayor.

At the Top Dog Alumni Awards Gala, the Alumni Association also presents the Arthur Safstrom Service Award, which recognizes service in the community and in support of Fresno State.

This year’s recipients are Hal Kissler (1968) and Maureen Lewis (1995, 2008), chief executive officer and chief financial officer, respectively, of Manco Abbott, one of the region’s biggest property management businesses. They are being honored for many years of service to the university and the Alumni Association.

The Gala, the Alumni Association’s biggest social event each year, also celebrates the Alumni Association Scholarship awardees for the 2010-11 academic year, which coincides with the Centennial.

The event, which is held in the Save Mart Center, is open to the public. It will be presented on the eve of one of the Centennial Celebration’s biggest dates. On Oct. 16, Homecoming will include a community parade, the Alumni Association’s Tailgate of the Century and a football game that will bring thousands of alumni and community members to the campus.

To make reservations to attend the Top Dog Alumni Gala, visithttps://www.alumniconnections.com/olc/pub/CAF/cpages/events/events_topdog.jsp.