I am regularly filled with pride, even awe, at the accomplishments of our students and alumni. This is particularly true every fall when we induct a small number of distinguished alumni into our Alumni Hall of Fame. We have celebrated, among others, scientists, entrepreneurs, small business owners, educators, innovators, industry leaders, artists, public servants and activists whose professional and personal accomplishments are exemplary.
Among this incredibly accomplished group, one of last year’s honorees, San Francisco Poet Laureate Genny Lim, brought down the house with her remarks — a poem written for the occasion. Now you get to meet Genny in a Q&A interview with fellow distinguished alumnus Ben Fong-Torres. Both affirm the talents and values of SFSU alumni. And the numbers in our Hall of Fame grew again this semester when we welcomed five new members: Kim Coco Iwamoto, pioneering advocate and public servant; Artemis Patrick, trailblazing beauty industry leader and president/CEO of Sephora North America; Ghazi Shami, visionary founder and CEO of the EMPIRE record label; Russ Stanley, innovative sports-ticketing executive with the San Francisco Giants; and Dr. Edgar Velázquez, physician and champion for health equity.
Our alumni also provide critically needed funds to support our students and our mission. In September, the College of Science & Engineering hosted the Kenneth S. Fong Translational Research Award Symposium. Fong earned his undergraduate and master’s degrees at SFSU and achieved great success as an innovator, entrepreneur and venture capitalist — a success he acknowledges started in an SFSU classroom. Deeply committed to developing the next generation of scientists, Fong provides critical support for faculty and student research. At the symposium, students and faculty shared how his philanthropy provided early funding for important research projects, enabling faculty to earn millions of dollars in prestigious grants and launching careers for dozens and dozens of students. Fong exemplifies the drive and social commitments that have made generations of SFSU alumni successful.
Our alumni — 300,000 strong — are transforming their communities and achieving great things for our region and state, and beyond. This magazine is a celebration of you and for you. On these pages, you will celebrate the accomplishments of Gator alumni and family. I know you will enjoy getting to know them as I have. Go Gators!
Lynn Mahoney, Ph.D.
President