Back Where it All Began

After 35 years at SDSU and several moves across campus, Cheryl Trtan is back where she started on 55th Street.

With the opening of the new Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center and her recognition at the Annual Staff Awards on Oct. 9, Trtan has a lot to be excited about.

From Alumni House to Alumni Center

In anticipation of the new PPG Alumni Center, Trtan reminisced over her first years working for the SDSU Alumni Association. Over the years, she's worked in the Alumni House, the old Athletics facilities and, more recently, Manchester Hall.

Pointing to a picture of the old Alumni House on Lindo Paseo and 55th Street where she began her career with the Alumni Association, she noted that she hopes “to frame it” in her new office. 

The house is no longer there — instead, there's a parking lot in it's place.

Trtan has been working at SDSU since 1971. She did not begin her career with Alumni Association until 1978 when the vice president of the time, Leslie Yerger, asked her to temporarily work for the Alumni Association for a “short stint."

"I quickly became invested in alumni … and the rest is history,” Trtan said.

Of course, she is excited for the grand opening of the new center and to be back in the location where she started. Trtan explains that in late summer, SDSU's percussion band starts practicing for football on the practice fields behind the new Alumni Center.

“It's exciting to move back to 55th Street so that I can hear the drums once again.”

Career Highlights

Trtan’s work over the last 35 years has not gone unnoticed.

“Probably the most memorable achievement that I have had since I have been at SDSU … was to receive a Monty Award … I was honored with the Distinguished University Service Award.”

The Monty Awards Gala is an award ceremony hosted by the Alumni Association every spring to honor distinguished alumni and friends of the University. Trtan states how surreal the situation was when she received the award in 2000. 

"I oversee the planning of The Monty Awards Gala, and I needed to step aside and let everyone else do the planning, which was out of the norm for me. To be an awardee was an honor not soon to be forgotten."

Future Plans as an Aztec

Trtan said she is thinks about retiring — occasionally.

“I’m thinking possibly next year to call it a day. Possibly.”

She says that she uses the word “possibly” because there is so much going on now with the new center that she hopes to continue be available to offer an historical aspect to those visiting the Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center.

It's an exciting time for SDSU and the Alumni Association and Trtan is honored to be a part of it all.