Introducing our 2015 Top Dog honorees
The Fresno State Alumni Association is proud to recognize 14 alumni for outstanding accomplishments in their fields and commitment to service in the community. The Top Dog award recipients will be honored at the Top Dog Alumni Awards Gala on Friday, October 9, 2015.
During this event, the Fresno State Alumni Association’s student scholarship recipients will also be recognized. The Fresno State Alumni Association is proud to award more than $146,000 in student scholarships this year, leading the 23 CSU campuses in student scholarship giving.
Armen (Derian) Bacon (1973) is being awarded the Distinguished Alumna Award at this year’s Top Dog Alumni Awards Gala. The Distinguished Alumni Award was first awarded in 1953, based on scholarship, leadership and service, and remains the highest honor given to an alumnus/alumna of the university. Bacon will be awarded for her commitment to education and philanthropy, her continued service to the community and her successful career as a published author. She is a regular contributor to the Fresno Bee and has authored two books.
Dr. Robert Monke (Friend) is this year’s recipient of the Arthur Safstrom Service Award for his outstanding service to the Fresno State Alumni Association and the university. Dr. Monke is an emeritus faculty member and former associate dean of Fresno State’s Kremen School of Education and Human Development. He began the Dr. Robert Monke Scholarship Fund, supporting students in education working toward their degrees to become teachers or school counselors.
Outstanding Alumni by College and Division:
Kyle T. Stephenson (1974) is being recognized as the Outstanding Alumnus for the Craig School of Business. Stephenson, a past alumni association board president, is being honored for his outstanding service to Fresno State and his leadership in the business community. He is a managing partner of Fresno accounting firm Baker, Peterson, Franklin, CPA. Stephenson is a Life Member of the Fresno State Alumni Association.
R. Elaine Mason (1947) is being awarded as the Outstanding Alumna for the Department of Athletics for her service to Fresno State and the world of tennis. Mason designed and patented the world’s first children’s tennis racket, “The Shorty,” was one of the first coaches of the Fresno State’s women’s tennis team and is a winner of 94 national tennis championships. She was inducted into the Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame in 1996 and the Northern California Tennis Hall of Fame in 1998. She is a Life Member of the Fresno State Alumni Association.
Marvin A. Meyers (1956) is being recognized as the Outstanding Alumnus for the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology as a long-time benefactor to the Jordan College, the College of Arts and Humanities and Fresno State Athletics. He has accomplished outstanding work as a water conservationist and an advocate for education. Meyers received the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2012 and is a Life Member of the Fresno State Alumni Association.
Dr. Robert Aguilar (1962) is this year’s Outstanding Alumnus for the Kremen School of Education and Human Development. Dr. Aguilar is being honored for his 50+ years serving in education, his leadership in diverse school systems and active engagement in the Kremen School. He is the retired superintendent of Delano Union School District and works to provide aid to increase the academic success of students. He is a Life Member of the Fresno State Alumni Association.
Robin Johnston McGehee (1998) is being awarded as the Outstanding Alumna for the Division of Graduate Studies. McGehee is a communications professor at College of the Sequoias and serves as the Pride Club adviser, encouraging students to “speak out” in a positive way. She is a national gay rights advocate and believes that “when we speak, we shape the world!” She has been recognized on the local, state and national levels for activism.
Honorable Mark Anthony Scott (1980) is being recognized as the Outstanding Alumnus for the College of Arts and Humanities for his continued engagement with professors and mentorship of Fresno State students. Judge Scott is a Superior Court Judge for the DeKalb County Courthouse and presides over civil, domestic relations and criminal felony matters. Judge Scott has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to his community and to Fresno State.
Dr. Stuart R. Katzman (1987) will be honored as the Outstanding Alumnus for the College of Health and Human Services. Dr. Katzman is the owner of Evergreen Physical Therapy in San Jose and Redwood Physical Therapy in Redwood City. He was an active student at Fresno State and class president of the physical therapy association. His dedication has continued as an alumnus and active member of the Physical Therapy Chapter of the Fresno State Alumni Association. He is active in offering internship opportunities to Fresno State physical therapy students.
Diana Gomez (1988) is being awarded the Outstanding Alumna award for the Lyles College of Engineering for her commitment to engagement and student success at Fresno State. She is the Central Valley Regional Director for the California High Speed Rail Authority and is a respected leader in her profession. She actively participates with the Lyles College Industry Advisory Board and serves as the Vice President of the Scholarship Committee for the alumni association.
Ryan Jacobsen (2002, ‘04) is being recognized as the Outstanding Alumnus for the Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. As a student, Jacobsen served two terms as associated student body president and was recognized as both an undergraduate and graduate dean’s medalist. He is the executive director for the Fresno County Farm Bureau, providing leadership in agriculture in the Central Valley. He established a Fresno State scholarship to help support student success in agriculture. Jacobsen is a Life Member of the Fresno State Alumni Association.
Geraldine Tahajian (1965) is this year’s recipient of the Outstanding Alumna for the Henry Madden Library. Geraldine “Geri” is being honored for her active role in the community and commitment to Fresno State. Tahajian is a retired teacher, education leader, community volunteer and general contractor. She volunteers with many organizations, including Junior League, LARCS, Alpha Xi Delta Alumnae and Daughters of Varton. She is a Life Member of the Fresno State Alumni Association.
Scott Barton (1982) is being recognized as the Outstanding Alumnus for the College of Science and Mathematics. Barton is the CEO/Director of the Fresno Chaffee Zoo, where he has shown incredible leadership and successful transformation of the zoo and its many programs. Through his passion for conservation, he has served on projects in South America, the Caribbean and Africa. He is committed to Fresno State through his service on the College of Science and Mathematics Advisory Board.
Secretary Diana S. Dooley (1972) is this year’s recipient for the Outstanding Alumna for the College of Social Sciences. In 2010, she was appointed Secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency, leading 13 state departments within the agency. She has volunteered her time to Fresno State, serving as a board member of the Kenneth L. Maddy Institute and the College of Social Sciences Criminology Advisory Board. Prior to her work at the Health and Human Services Agency, she was president and CEO of the California Children’s Hospital Association.
For more information about the Top Dog Alumni Awards Gala, please visit www.fresnostatealumni.com/events/topdog.
