2015 Monty Award Winners Announced

Changes are coming to the Monty Awards, the annual signature event of the San Diego State University Alumni Association. This year’s celebration is moved from spring to the fall semester and is planned to take place outdoors.

The award presentation honoring 10 distinguished alumni and friends of the university will be held Friday, September 18 at the newly remodeled California Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre. A pre-ceremony cocktail reception will take place in the Lee and Frank Goldberg Courtyard at the Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union

Monty Award event organizers wanted to showcase the improved Open Air Theatre in which a new stage covering has been installed and all seating, including the concrete benches, has been entirely replaced with approximately 4,600 theater-style seats. The makeover has taken place over the past several months and will have been tried and tested many times well in advance of the Monty Awards. The concert venue will be appropriate for the event, which this year will feature a musical theme. 

Monty Awards are bestowed by the SDSU Alumni Association. They are given to those who have made significant contributions to the university, the San Diego community or California, nationally or internationally.

The Monty is a symbol of achievement and success presented this year to distinguished alumni from each of SDSU's seven academic colleges and Library and Information Access. Distinguished service awards also are given to an exceptional alumni volunteer and an outstanding university employee.

Honorees for 2015 include:

College of Arts and Letters
R. Michael Pack

R. Michael Pack (’70, finance), president of SunCal Outdoor Advertising, is a key supporter of and advisor to the College of Arts and Letters, especially with regard to its interdisciplinary international business major.  A member of the university’s Campanile Foundation Board of Directors and founder of the Pack Foundation, he is committed to providing opportunities for young people to realize their educational goals.

College of Business Administration
Andy Esparza

Andy Esparza (’81, business administration), chief human resources officer for oil services and technology company Baker Hughes, is a leader in the human resources profession. Recipient of the Associated Students 2014 Aztec Achievement Award for Outstanding Alumni, he is a member of The Campanile Foundation, serves as chair of the Alumni Engagement Committee and is a founding member of the Austin Regional SDSU Alumni Council.

College of Education
Samuel M. Ciccati, Ph.D. 

Samuel M. Ciccati, Ph.D. (’61, industrial arts; ’66 MA, teacher training), retired Cuyamaca College president, has enjoyed a successful career in higher education administration and is recognized for his philanthropy and outstanding community service.  Active in the local Rotary as well as the SDSU Osher Learning Institute, he has established four endowed scholarships at SDSU; three in education and one in athletics.

College of Engineering
Ziad Mansour

Ziad Mansour (’82, electrical engineering; ’86, MS electrical engineering), leads the Digital Hardware group in Qualcomm CDMA Technologies division as Senior Vice President of Engineering. Holding patents in modem and low power implementation, he serves on the Dean's Advisory Board with leaders of local industry, regional non-profit organizations and alumni to help assure the highest quality education for tomorrow's engineering workforce.

College of Health and Human Services
Jean Landis, M.S.

Jean Landis, M.S. (A.B. ’41, physical education), faculty emerita, is a retired educator who for many years taught physical education at San Diego State. During World War II, she flew as a Women Airforce Service Pilot (WASP) and for her contributions to the war effort was awarded in 2010 the United States Congressional Gold Medal, one of the two highest medals awarded to civilians.

College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts
Mort Marcus

Mort Marcus (’77, television, film and new media), co-president of the television production and distribution company Debmar-Mercury, has held senior executive positions at several large television and film companies. As a member of the Los Angeles Regional SDSU Alumni Council, he focuses on the School of Theatre, Television and Film by helping identify and facilitate new ways to expand the practical experience and training provided by TTF degree programs.

College of Sciences
Jack Tempchin 

Jack Tempchin (’70, psychology), musician and singer-songwriter, is perhaps best known for writing the Eagles classic “Peaceful Easy Feeling” and the Johnny Rivers hit “Swayin’ to the Music (Slow Dancing).” In addition to creating some of the most-played songs of all time, he was an early manager and performer at the Backdoor, helping to place the intimate former Aztec Center performance space – and SDSU – among the region’s most revered music venues.

Library and Information Access
Edward E. Marsh

Edward E. Marsh is co-founder and director of Nationwide Title Clearing. He is a science fiction collector who compiled the acclaimed Edward E. Marsh Golden Age of Science Fiction Library that features signed first editions by numerous Golden Age writers along with other items including correspondence, original manuscripts, photographs, memorabilia, film paraphernalia, and artwork providing insights into the growth and history of modern science fiction.

Distinguished Alumni Service Award
Keith Harris

Keith Harris (’91, economics) is a recruiting consultant for prominent Silicon Valley technology companies and for almost a decade has served as leader of the SDSU Bay Area Aztecs alumni chapter.  Also a member of the Bay Area Regional Council, he focuses on expanding mentorships, internships and developing a strong regional network to help create job opportunities for SDSU students and alumni.

Distinguished University Service Award
Sandra Cook

Sandra Cook, Ph.D., SDSU Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management, is responsible for Enrollment Management and Enrollment Services including student recruitment, admission, registration, records, and academic advising along with the curriculum process, catalog production, the class schedule, student information system, Web portal, and the Joan and Art Barron Veterans Center. She is also a member of the SDSU President’s Cabinet.