Mortar Board Service Awards

Two members of the San Diego State University community were honored for their lifelong contributions to academic excellence at the Jane K. Smith Cap and Gown Chapter of Mortar Board  27th Annual Outstanding Service Awards Ceremony.

Cheryl Trtan, a former Alumni Association employee, and Ronald Angione, a professor emeritus of astronomy, were celebrated at the event for their dedication to SDSU.

The Oct. 27 ceremony was held in the Mortar Board grove of trees between the Administration Building and Love Library.  Greeting the over 100 people in attendance was Emma Levey, Mortar Board Chair of the event.  Provost Marlin spoke about the accomplishments of both honorees and unveiled the bronze plaques.

Cheryl Trtan's career at SDSU began in 1971 in the Office of Admissions and Records.  She joined the staff of the Alumni Association in 1978 where she worked until her retirement in 2010.  Besides her work with the Alumni especially the annual Alumni Galas, she is very involved on the campus as a volunteer for the SDSU Retirement Association for the past 14 years, and currently sits on the board.

In addition, she staffed the SDSU War memorial Committee for many years and is now on their board as a volunteer.  And the list goes on to include Arts and Letters Alumni Chapter Board, member of the SDSU Women's Association, and member of the SDSU 2012 Homecoming Court Selection Committee.

Dr. Ronald Angione received his bachelor' s and master's degrees in Astronomy from San Diego State College and his Ph.D. from the University of Texas, Austin.  He joined the faculty at SDSU in 1969, where he served until his retirement in 2004.  Angione held the position of chair of the Astronomy department for 12 years, and since his retirement continues to teach for the Department.

We learned from his remarks at the brunch the one of his college professors was in the audience - Dr. Charles Stewart!  Ron also told about how he and the members of the department with no funds built the Mt. Laguna Observatory.  Speaking on Dr. Angione's behalf at the brunch was long time collage Dr. Ted Daub who pointed out that "he was chair of my department for many years because his colleagues, the astronomy faculty members, were collectively convinced of his skills and fairness in administration."

A highlight of the program was the "State of the University" talk by Provost Nancy Marlin.  She pointed out" By any measure - safe for financial - the state of the University is extraordinarily strong."

The program was concluded by Allison Pierce, President of Mortar Board who thanked Dr. Terry O'Donnell for playing the Carillon before the ceremony.  She then recognized the following past honorees who were present:  Norma Summersgill, former SDSU Benefits Manager who was honored in 1988, Dr. Henry L. Janssen, Professor Emeritus of Political Science - 1993, Mary Nelson, former Associate Food Services Director -2001, Dr. Kurt Bohnsack, Professor Emeritus of Zoology - 2003, Kathie Ross, former Scholarship director - 2006, Dr. Jane K. Smith, Assistant Vice President Emerita for Academic Services - 2009, Dr. Terry O'Donnell, Professor Emeritus of Music and Theatre, Television, and Film - 2010, and Dr. Charles Stewart, Professor Emeritus of Chemistry - 2011.