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 快活林性息, 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
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Fred Nigro '74
One of Hollywood's Most Powerful Business Managers
Lauren Ridloff '01
Globally Inspiring Broadway, Television and Motion Picture Actress
Keith Weaver 鈥�96, M.P.A. 鈥�07
Executive Vice President of Global Policy and External Affairs at Sony Pictures Entertainment
An inspiring and influential tech executive who is President and CEO of the global computer-aided design giant Autodesk.
Is one of the most influential leaders in the service, education and advocacy of America鈥檚 Notaries Public. He is the Chairman of the National Notary Association.
Is recognized as one of the most powerful women in her industry. She is Executive Vice President of Programming and Network Publicity for Crown Media Family Networks.
Founder of Shout! Factory, an audio and home video entertainment company.
Chairman of Montecito Bank & Trust and an inspiring leader in the banking industry.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge at Edmund D. Edelman Children鈥檚 Court.
Titan of the investment banking industry.
Trailblazer in the television industry and a pioneering force in reality TV.
Dynamic leader in the programmatic and strategic planning side of science and technology globally.
Classical Music Singer, Educator and Champion of the Arts
Urban Developer and Humanitarian
Financial Industry Leader and Economic Justice Advocate
Muralist and Community Arts Pioneer
Entrepreneurial Leader in Real Estate and Telecommunications
Acclaimed Filmmaker, Motion Picture and Television Director
Founder, chairman and chief collaboration officer of IW Group, a leading minority-owned advertising agency.
Dynamic duo who co-founded Kashi Company, an international natural food enterprise.
Pioneer in audiology and speech pathology with services in 12 states.
2001 Secondary English Education Credential
National Teacher of the Year for 2012
1979 Bachelor of Arts, Art Three Dimension
Creative visionary and industrial designer
1981 Bachelor of Science, Geography
President and CEO of Union Bank's Central Coast Region
1992 Bachelor of Arts, Radio, Television, Film
Award-Winning Actress
1972 Bachelor of Arts, Political Science
CSO of Nestle' Waters
1977 Bachelor of Arts, Music
Internationally Renowned Conductor
1975 Bachelor of Arts, Music
Animated Film Producer
1976 Bachelor of Arts, Music, 1998 Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts
Opera Singer
1971 Bachelor of Science, Physical Education
Founder of Zak Designs, leader in licensed children鈥檚 dinnerware
1972 Bachelor of Science, Psychology
CEO and Founding Principal of Levine Leichtman Capital Partners
1967 Bachelor of Arts, Political Science
Founding partner of Myman Greenspan Fineman Fox & Light LLP
1978 Music
Grammy-winning songwriter and owner of Realsongs
Harvey Bookstein
1970 Bachelor of Science, Business Administration
One of California鈥檚 most respected accountants
James Otero
1973 Bachelor of Arts, Political Science
Judge, United States District Court (Central California Division)
Debra Farar
1975 Bachelor of Arts, English, 1987 Master of Arts, Education
Past Chair & Member of the Board of Trustees, CSU
Teri Garr
1964 Theatre
Motion Picture and Television Actress and Comedian
Bill Handel
1973 Bachelor of Arts, Political Science
KFI Radio Host and Marconi Award Winner
Adriana Ocampo Uria
1997 Master of Science, Geology
NASA Scientist and Program Executive
James Berk
1981 Bachelor of Arts, Music
Chief Executive Officer of Participant Productions
Brad Bowlus
1978 Bachelor of Science, Accounting
President and Chief Executive Officer at PacifiCare Health Plan Division
Michael Klausman
1974 Bachelor of Arts, Biology
Senior Vice President, CBS Corporation West Coast Operations and Engineering and President of the CBS Studio Center
Grant Ashley
1978 Bachelor of Science, Accounting
Former Executive Assistant Director of Law Enforcement Services for the FBI
Mike Curb
1963 Music
Chairman of Curb Records and Former Lt. Governor of California
Mory Ejabat
1976 Bachelor of Science, Engineering
1979 Master of Science, Industrial Engineering
Chair and CEO of Zhone Technologies
Larry Feldman
1966 Bachelor of Science, Business Administration
Distinguished Trial Lawyer
Barbara Fairchild
1972 Bachelor of Arts, Journalism
Editor-in-Chief of Bon Appetit magazine
Scott Horowitz
1978 Bachelor of Science, Engineering
Former NASA Astronaut
Ron Insana
1984 Bachelor of Arts, Radio-Television-Film
Journalist and wealth advisor
Linda Lingle
1975 Bachelor of Arts, Journalism
Governor of Hawaii
Richard "Cheech" Marin
1978 English
Actor, Director, Comedian, Art Collector
Sue Herera
1980 Bachelor of Arts, Journalism
CNBC News Anchor
Vincent Barabba
1962 Bachelor of Science, Marketing
Former Head of Strategic Decision Center, General Motors
Lynn Doll
1983 Bachelor of Arts, Journalism
President, National Public Relations Agency
Charles Noski
1973 Bachelor of Science, Business Administration
1995 Masters of Science, Accounting
Retired Chair at AT&T
Patsy Flanigan (Deceased)
1979 Bachelor of Science, Home Economics
President of Flanigan Farms and Natural Foods Advocate
Daniel Chernow
1967 Bachelor of Arts, History
1989 Master of Arts, Education
UCLA School Management Founder and Director
Steve Howard
1977 Bachelor of Arts, Theatre
Multi-Emmy Award Winner for Costume Design
Bob Miller
1976 Theatre
Multi-Emmy Award Winner for Costume Design
Lois Roberts
1971 Master of Arts, History
Respected Historian, Sociologist and Anthropologist
Michael Day
1988 Bachelor of Science, Chemistry
1990 Masters of Science, Chemistry
Caltech Scientist
Bill Griffeth
1980 Bachelor of Arts, Journalism
CNBC News Anchor and Author
Irene Tovar
1969 Bachelor of Science, Sociology
Social Sciences Trail Blazer
Yvonne Chan
Master of Arts, Special Education, 1976
Charter School Pioneer and Principal
Frank del Olmo (Deceased)
1970 Bachelor of Arts, Journalism
Pulitzer Prize winner and Associate Editor of the Los Angeles Times
Dirk Gates
1983 Bachelor of Science, Electrical Engineering
Former President and CEO of Xircom
1990 Honorees
Nikolas Patsaouras
1966 Bachelor of Science, Electrical Engineering
Owner of Nikolas Patsaouras and Associates, a West Los Angeles Engineering Firm
1989 Honorees
Stephen Crossland
1967 Bachelor of Science, Business
1970 Masters of Science, Business
President and CEO of International Collegiate Enterprises
1988 Honorees
Claire Bleiman
1971 Bachelor of Arts, History
Secretary, San Fernando Valley State College History Department
Frank St. Denis
1958 Bachelor of Science, Business
1987 Honorees
C. Robert Kimberling
1972 Bachelor of Arts, English
1976 Master of Arts, Mass Communications
U.S. Assistant Secretary of Education
1986 Honorees
Robert Hiegert
1964 Bachelor of Arts, Physical Education
1968 Master of Arts, Physical Education
Director of Athletics, Cal State Northridge
1985 Honorees
John Golisch
1972 Bachelor of Science, Business
Co-Owner of Arthur Anderson and Company
1983 Honorees
Judge Julian Beck
Friend of the University
Former California Assemblyman
1981 Honorees
Joe Buttitta
1964 Bachelor of Arts, Journalism
Director of Sports, KTLA