The Fresno State Alumni Association is asking alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends of the university to nominate former students for 2012 Top Dog Alumni awards

The awards recognize individuals who have distinguished themselves in service or career achievement since leaving campus.

The honorees are celebrated at the Top Dog Alumni Awards Gala held each fall in the Save Mart Center during Homecoming Week. The date of the 2012 event awaits completion of the Bulldog football schedule as Fresno State moves into the Mountain West Conference during the 2012-13 academic year.

Fourteen awards in three categories will be presented at the Gala:

  • The Distinguished Alumni Award, the highest honor given to a Fresno State alumnus/alumna. It is based on scholarship, leadership and service to the university, the region and the state. Last year’s recipient is Dr. Diana Meehan, the educator and documentarian who co-founded the Archer School for Girls in Los Angeles.
  • Outstanding Alumni Awards, recognizing university alumni/alumnae from each of the university’s eight academic schools and colleges, and from the Division of Student Affairs, Department of Athletics, Division of Graduate Studies and the Henry Madden Library. Honorees have accomplished careers and are examples for current students of exceptional achievement. Past recipients include the late Air Force Col. Rick Husband, commander of the space shuttle Columbia; James Kardach, an inventor of Bluetooth; three-time Olympic gold medalist softball player Laura Berg; former Secretary of the Treasury Paul O’Neill; Oscar, Emmy and Clio awards winner Brad Lewis; and Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin.
  • The Arthur Safstrom Service Award, presented to an alumnus/alumna or friend of Fresno State who has given outstanding service to the Alumni Association or the university. Last year’s recipient was Peter Robertson, who joined such past awardees as Muriel and Earl Smittcamp, Robert Duncan, Pat and Vinci Ricchiuti and Sister Ruth Marie Nickerson.

Nominations must be received in the Alumni Association office, by March 5. For additional information, call 559.278.2586.

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