SDSU Elite Celebrated
An awards ceremony will honor retired administrators, faculty and staff who have contributed to SDSU.
The Jane K. Smith Cap and Gown Chapter of Mortar Board at San Diego State University will host the 28th Annual Emeritus Administrator, Faculty and Staff Outstanding Service Awards Ceremony and Brunch on Saturday, Oct. 26.
The awards honor retired administrators, faculty and staff who have generously contributed to the university, its students and the community.
This year's honorees include:
- Joe Vasquez, associate vice president emeritus, Business and Financial Affairs
- Ernst C. Griffin, emeritus professor of geography, and special assistant to associate vice president for Academic Affairs
SDSU President Elliot Hirshman will conduct the ceremony at 10:30 a.m. at the grove of trees in front of the south entrance to the SDSU Bookstore.
The brunch will be held at 11 a.m. at East Commons beginning with remarks by President Hirshman on "The State of the University."
About Vasquez
Vasquez received his bachelor's degree in anthropology from the University of Southern California and joint doctorate degree from the University of California, Berkeley.
"For 25 years, Joe was an accomplished member of the division of Business and Financial Affairs, and a critically important participant in the general good of the university," said Sally Roush, former SDSU vice president of Business and Financial Affairs.
By the time of his retirement, Joe had attained the title of associate vice president.
"His creative and ingenious talents resulted in such diverse things as developing the infrastructure for SDSU's North County Center, overseeing and directing telecommunications and computing advances for the university, managing the university's most complex contractual and legal matters; Joe epitomizes the characteristics that are the hallmark of a leader committed to service," Roush said.
About Griffin
Griffin received his bachelor's degree from San Diego State College, master's degree from the University of Denver and Ph.D. from Michigan State University.
Griffin began his teaching career at San Diego State College in 1972 as a specialist in Latin America. He was one of a small number of individuals who has received four Senior Fulbright Research Scholar Fellowships.
As a member of the faculty, Griffin was elected to the University Senate in 1974 and served until the late 1990s. He also had a key role in helping establish the Ph.D. program in geography in 1991 which has become one of the highest ranked programs in the country.
In 1997, Griffin accepted a position in the Office of the Provost where he was involved with academic policy and enrollment management issues until his retirement.
More information
Vasquez and Griffin will be commemorated for their service to SDSU with a bronze plaque placed at the base of a campus tree.
If you would like to attend the awards ceremony, please RSVP by contacting Jane K. Smith by Oct. 16. The cost to attend is $30.
