An Aztec for Life
Vickie Hokenson will retire after 35 years of service to SDSU.
What started as a lunch-break visit to her mother turned into a 35-year career at San Diego State University for Vickie Hokenson.
When Hokenson was 19 years old, her mother worked in purchasing for SDSU. She stopped by to say hello when her mother mentioned a possible career opportunity with the SDSU Foundation. By the end of the day, Hokenson was offered the job, thus igniting her multiple-decade relationship with the university.
In her 35 years at the university, Hokenson has held six jobs in various departments. She has worked for the SDSU Research Foundation, Enrollment Services, Professional Studies and Fine Arts and Contract and Procurement Management. She also completed her criminal justice degree at SDSU in 1994.
“The university has been my family,” Hokenson said.
Hokenson will retire from SDSU at the end of February.
Behind the scenes
Hokenson enjoyed working behind the scenes of SDSU. When asked about the highlights of her career, she had a difficult time choosing only a few.
“There are so many!” she said. “I felt a great reward working in Enrollment Services because I worked closely with students, and that’s the reason we’re all here.”
She has been in her current position — lead buyer III/contract specialist — for the past twenty years. Her responsibilities include preparing complex customized contracts, evaluating and applying the appropriate procurement method for numerous transactions and preparing specialized service agreements and service learning agreements and commodity bids that totaled millions of dollars.
“I was highly involved with the bids for the Aztec Student Union, Calpulli Center and more,” Hokenson said.
Her work can be seen around campus, as she has been an instrumental asset to any buildings that have been built or modified in the last two decades.
“Vickie has essentially been a part of every division on campus,” said Cathy Garcia, director of the Contract and Procurement Management department. “She has made many noteworthy contributions to the university and what most people will remember Vickie for is her attention to detail and broad knowledge of SDSU.”
Over the years
Hokenson’s years at SDSU provide an interesting perspective on the way the university has grown and changed.
“It’s always been about the students, but the vision has changed over the years,” Hokenson said. “We’re thinking more globally and have visions that make more of a large-scale impact.”
Family affair
Hokenson shares her passion for SDSU with her family.
Her mother and father (Donna and Bud Rzasa), aunt (Kay Hamilton), sister (Valerie Reese) and cousins (Rusty and Dawn Hamilton) held positions at SDSU. She also celebrated her son Chris’ graduation from SDSU in August 2012.
“I am a first-generation college graduate — I was the first person in my family to graduate from a four year university, and my son is the second generation.”
Bon voyage
The campus is invited to a reception in Vickie's honor beginning at 3 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 20 at the Faculty/Staff Club. Light refreshments and dessert will be served.
Please RSVP to Michelle Tanner by Feb. 13. If you would like to contribute to Vickie’s retirement gift, please contact Cathy Garcia via e-mail or at 619-594-4723.
