Aztecs Everywhere: Orange County Regional Update
There are more than 13,000 Aztec alumni in Orange County, making it one of the largest alumni areas in the country.
This month, the SDSU News Team heard from alumnus Mark Clemens, chair of the Orange County Regional Council and an advisory board member of the Charles W. Lamden School of Accountancy. There are more than 13,000 Aztec alumni in Orange County, making it one of the largest alumni areas in the country.
Tell us about this Regional Council.
The Orange County Regional Council started about five years ago as an informal group of dedicated Aztec alumni, and has continued to grow into what it is today. We have about 20 members who give philanthropically to SDSU each year as well as mentor students, provide internships and help find lost Aztecs in the OC area.
Tell us something interesting about one of the regional council members.
Larry Emond, a managing partner at Gallup, is our incoming chair and has been involved with SDSU as an alumnus for many years. Larry brings a unique and tremendous leadership perspective. He was the former president of Associated Students and a long-time leader for programs and initiatives that have helped to shape SDSU into what we know today.
Tell us about an important SDSU-related initiative that the regional council is undertaking.
Our council established an endowed scholarship several years ago that supports OC students attending SDSU. We are proud to be able to help local students with their studies and support current Aztecs.
What kind of mentoring and/or recruiting activities is your council involved in?
Most of our council members mentor a student or offer to provide summer internships for students living in the OC area. The council also started a freshmen sendoff event several years ago, which has become one of our signature events. More than 100 incoming Aztecs and their parents gather before school starts to meet new Aztecs and strengthen the Aztec network.
