A.S. Alumni News Archives
The Year Ahead
The 2007/2008 school year started August 27th with the AS Executive Officers ready to move forward with their Key Priority Goals. They are dedicated to educating and informing the SDSU student body, faculty, staff and community on a variety of issues and new initiatives:
- A renewed emphasis will be undertaken for AS branding and outreach to the SDSU student body in an effort to create more awareness about AS programs and services and what we can do for them.
- The Executive Officers plan to rally together the numerous student organizations on campus to create the Aztec FOrCE, a collective effort to promote school spirit, Aztec Pride and increased student attendance at Aztec athletic events.
- Community affairs are at the top of the agenda in the form of organized efforts to assist students with a more positive presence in the community surrounding SDSU. They hope to achieve this through outreach and education. Plans include creating coalitions between college students throughout San Diego and the entire state of California. A goal is to get college students to become active political voters. Additionally, the officers are reaching-out to students to make them more informed community members through door-to-door visits and workshops on campus.
- As AS and SDSU grows, there is increased emphasis on how to make our daily lives more “green.” This year, the officers are committed to examining and implementing new efforts and programs to make AS and SDSU more environmentally-friendly.
- Finally, the student administration is looking at different possibilities for bringing a major spring event to campus including a major concert and festival to celebrate all that's unique about SDSU. While this would prove to be quite a feat, the officers are very enthusiastic about the possibilities! So it promises to be another busy year for AS, filled with ambitious ideas and plans. Keep your eye out for all the great things that lie ahead!
We're exploring possible interest in starting an AS Alumni Chapter in the very near future. Are you interested in being on the exploratory committee? If yes, please contact Jennifer Esquivel-Parker, the AS Executive Programs Coordinator, at 619 594-6557 or at jennifer.parker@sdsu.edu.
1950s
George Sunga, President ('54-'55), is enjoying semi-retirement. He has been keeping busy as the President of the CBS Alumni and as Chairman of the Diversity Committee of the Producers Guild of America. Additionally, he helped to create an inaugural gala aboard the USS Midway in San Diego. The event was held to posthumously-honor Bob Hope with a Midway American Patriot Award. George was able to coordinate video clips from the Bob Hope Archives; various entertainers who performed live on the deck; uniformed military representing all 50 states; and a fireworks display for the 1,200 guests who attended and raised money for charity. The event received a great deal of coverage over the 4th of July holiday and George was able to fulfill a mitzvah!
Edward W. Blessing, President ('58-'59) is the Managing Director of Blessing Petroleum Group, LLC. He made a special trip to the September 5th AS Council meeting from Dallas, Texas, to present the group with a framed Texas flag that was flown over the Alamo in honor of Associated Students' 75th Anniversary. The flag, along with an inscription from Ed, are displayed proudly in the Council Chambers.
1990s
R. Brix Lloyd, Arts & Letters Representative ('92-'94), is living in Ireland and working as a silversmith. He received his Master's in Peace and Conflict Studies and works as a consultant for town councils. He is married and is expecting his third child.
Annette Padilla, President Pro Tempore and College of Health and Human Services Representative ('95), began a business in media, public relations and evaluation called Annette Padilla Consulting. She received two gold medals for bike racing in State Time Trials for San Diego Bike Club and a silver medal for UC Cyclery, who she currently races for.
O. Pierre Romero, President Pro Tempore and Elections Coordinator ('97), is currently the Chair of the Council of American Indian Organizations of San Diego County and he recently completed his Ph.D in Sociology.
2000s
Pedro Anaya, Jr., College of Sciences Representative ('00), serves as the Associate Director for the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA in San Diego, which provides an oasis for youth and families in a community that deals with all the symptoms of poverty. He also finds time to teach youth as a cultural dancer for San Diego's oldest Aztec Dance Circle, Danza Mexicayotl. Pedro was married this past May and he and his wife are expecting their first child in November.
Renee Kenoyer, Undeclared Majors Representative ('01), is currently the Graduate Coordinator for the College of Business and Economics Graduate Programs Office at California State University, East Bay.
Audra Stafford, Vice President of Finance ('00-'01), earned a 2007 Emmy Award for producing and she is currently the Entertainment Reporter for KGTV-10 News in San Diego.
Marivic Tolentino, Vice President of External Affairs ('02-'03), has worked on several political campaigns throughout the country but recently, she has accepted a position with one of San Francisco's top lobbying firms, Barbary Coast Consulting.
Maureen Alvino, Panhellenic Representative ('04), will be starting her third year of law school at William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota. She was asked to be a member of the Law Review and is currently working at the St. Paul City Attorney's Office and a local law firm.
Brian Ascencio, Vice President of Finance ('04-'05), was married over the summer. He now makes his home in Missouri and is working for KPMG, LLP.
Bradley J. Webb, Executive Vice President ('05-'06), completed the Camp Pendleton Sprint Triathlon. He hopes this is just the beginning of his triathlon career!
To send us your news and updates for inclusion in future editions, visit: as.sdsu.edu/news/point.htm
Executive Director's Column - Sept 07
Wow! Fall semester classes began on August 27, filling the campus environs with more than 5,500 new students! I know that each of you would be proud to know that the quality of student coming to your University continues to increase with very noticeable results.
The AS and other allies and friend of the University are working hard to support the University's efforts to meet the incredible demand for access to SDSU by raising the on-campus student enrollment to 35,000 FTES or more than 42,000 head count. AS President James Poet and a contingent of 12-15 student leaders will make the trek to Long Beach on September 18th to speak in support of the University's plans.
We're particularly excited that the proposed Master Plan would more than double the number of students living in on-campus residence halls which will further support the growing trend for SDSU to have a more residential feel. Our current planning efforts to expand and renovate Aztec Center take on even greater significance when you consider the opportunities that will be presented to us by having a higher percentage of students living on or near the main campus.
SDSU continues to grow in quality and reputation…something we can all be very, very proud of! Go Aztecs!