Distinguished Alumni Awards
Honoring exceptional alumni is a proud tradition of the Alumni Association, reflecting its commitment to highlighting the profound impact Cal State Northridge has on the lives of its graduates and the communities they serve.
Each honoree embodies the spirit and excellence of CSUN, representing the thousands of alumni who make meaningful contributions across business, education, the arts, and society. Through their achievements, they bring distinction not only to themselves but also to the university they proudly represent.
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Distinguished Alumni Awards Selection Criteria and Process
Rudy Pereira 鈥�85 (Computer Science)
Banking Industry Leader
Pamela Villase帽or 鈥�06 (Psychology)
Native American Activist
Dr. William Watkins 鈥�74 (Urban Studies)
Higher Education Leader
Wendy '87 (Radio & TV Production) and David '86 Knoller (Theatre)
Film and Television Executives
Fred Rivera '90 (History)
Sports Executive and Community Leader
Andrew Anagnost '87 (Engineering)
Software Design Executive and Philanthropist
Milt Valera 鈥�68 (Journalism)
Business Executive and Philanthropist
Michelle Vicary 鈥�08 (Cinema and Television Arts)
Film and Television Executive
Richard H. Foos 鈥�71 (Sociology)
Entertainment Industry Executive
Janet Garufis 鈥�77, M.A. 鈥�02 (English 鈥� Humanities)
Banking Industry Leader
Hon. D. Zeke Zeidler 鈥�87 (English Literature 鈥� Humanities)
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge
Milton Berlinski 鈥�78 (Computer Science)
Investment Banking Industry Titan
Mike Darnell 鈥�87 (Communication Studies)
Entertainment Industry Executive
Patricia Maloney 鈥�80 (Chemistry)
Aerospace Executive
Shigemi Matsumoto 鈥�68 (Music)
Classical Music Singer and Educator
James Ring 鈥�70 (Psychology), 鈥�72 (Urban Studies)
Business Executive and Humanitarian
Robert D. Taylor 鈥�82 (Engineering)
Financial Industry Leader
Judy Baca 鈥�69 M.A. 鈥�80 (Art)
World-Renowned Muralist
Paul Jennings 鈥�85 (Marketing)
Entrepreneur and Telecommunications Pioneer
Donald Petrie 鈥�76 (Theatre)
Feature Film Director and Actor
Bill Imada 鈥�84 (Human Resource Management)
Advertising and Marketing Executive
Philip Tauber 鈥�68 (Music) and Gayle Tauber 鈥�72 (Political Science)
Nutrition Industry Leaders
Diane Manzella 鈥�72 (Speech Communication)
Audio and Speech Pathologist
Rebecca Mieliwocki '01 Credential & '15 MA (Education)
Award-Winning Educator
Ravi Sawhney '79 (Art)
Creative Visionary and Industrial Designer
George Leis '81 (Geography)
Banking Industry Leader
Joan Chen '92 (Cinema and Television Arts)
Award-Winning Actress and Filmmaker
John Harris '72 (Political Science)
Business Executive and Philanthropist
Richard Kaufman '77 (Music)
Grammy Award-Winning Conductor
Don Hahn '75 (Music)
Entertainment Industry Executive
Carol Vaness '76 (Music); '98 Hon.D. (Fine Arts)
Opera Singer and Educator
Irv Zakheim '71 (Kinesiology)
Entrepreneur and Philanthropist
Lauren Leichtman '72 (Psychology)
Financial and Wealth Management Executive
Robert M. Myman '67 (Political Science)
Entertainment Attorney
Diane Warren '78 (Music)
Award-Winning Songwriter
Harvey Bookstein '70 (Business Administration)
Therapeutic Accountant
James Otero '73 (Political Science)
United States District Court Judge
Debra Farar '75 (English); '87 MA (Education)
California State University Trustee
Teri Garr '64 (Theatre)
Academy Award-Nominated Actress
Bill Handel '73 (Political Science)
Radio Host and Marconi Award-Winner
Adriana Ocampo Uria '97 (Geology)
Scientist and Space Program Executive
James Berk '81 (Music)
Entertainment Industry Executive
Brad Bowlus '78 (Accounting)
Healthcare Executive and Winery Founder
Michael Klausman '74 (Biology)
Television Industry Executive
Grant Ashley '78 (Accounting)
Former Assistant Director for Criminal Investigations for the FBI
Mike Curb '63 (Music)
Music Industry Leader and California Lt. Governor
Mory Ejabat '76 (Engineering); '79 MA (Industrial Engineering)
High Tech Entrepreneur
Larry Feldman '66 (Business Administration)
Trial Lawyer
Barbara Fairchild '76 (Journalism)
Magazine Editor
Scott Horowitz '78 (Engineering)
Astronaut
Ron Insana '84 (Radio, Television and Film)
Wealth Advisor and Television Anchor
Linda Lingle '75 (Journalism)
Former Governor of Hawaii
Richard "Cheech" Marin '78 (English)
Actor, Comedian and Art Collector
Sue Herera '80 (Journalism)
Author and Television Anchor
Vincent Barabba '62 (Marketing)
Civic Leader and Business Executive
Lynn Doll '83 (Journalism)
Public Affairs Executive
Charles Noski '73 (Business Administration); '95 MA (Accounting)
Banking Industry Executive
Patsy Flanigan '79 (Home Economics)
Natural Foods Advocate and Business Owner
Daniel Chernow '67 (History); '89 MA (Education)
Educator & Philanthropist
Bob Miller '76 (Theatre)
Emmy Award Winner听
Lois Roberts '71 (History)
Historian, Sociologist, and Anthropologist
Steve Trevor '77 (Theatre)
Emmy Award-Winning Costume Designer
Michael Day '88 (Chemistry); '90 MA (Chemistry)
Scientist and Educator
Bill Griffeth '80 (Journalism)
Author and Television Anchor
Irene Tovar '69 (Sociology)
Social Services Trailblazer
Yvonne Chan '76 MA (Special Education)
Education Pioneer
Frank del Olmo '70 (Journalism)
Pulitzer Prize-Winning Writer and Editor
Dirk Gates '83 (Electrical Engineering)
Tech 听Innovator
1990听
Nikolas Patsaouras '66 (Electrical Engineering
Construction Industry Executive
1989听
Stephen Crossland '67 (Business); '70 MA (Business)
Community Leader
1988听
Claire Bleiman '71 (History)
Exemplary Civic and Community Leader
Frank St. Denis '58 (Business)
Health Industry Executive
1987听
C. Robert Kimberling '72 (English); '76 MA (Mass Communications)
U.S. State Department Leader
1986
Robert Hiegert '64; '68 MA (Physical Education)
Athletics Commissioner
1985
John Golisch '72 (Business)
Accounting & Financial Executive
1983
Judge Julian Beck - Friend of the University
Educator and Former California Assemblyman
1981
Joe Buttitta '64 (Journalism)
Entertainment Industry Executive