Sacramento State has announced the recipients of its 2025 Distinguished Alumni Awards, recognizing eight individuals for their achievements and contributions to the university, the community, and their respective professions. The awards have been presented annually since 1972 by the Sacramento State Alumni Association.
The Lifetime Achievement Award will be given to Kinzie Murphy and Mahmud Sharif. Murphy is a retired speech-language pathologist whose career spans more than three decades in medical, educational, and public service roles. She has held leadership positions in the California Speech-Language-Hearing Association (CSHA) and received multiple honors for her work, including CSHA’s highest distinction in 2025. Murphy earned her MS from Sacramento State in 1986 and has served as an instructor at the university.
Mahmud Sharif, owner of Sharif Financial Corporation, began his education journey after moving from Jerusalem and graduated from Sacramento State with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1983. He started a jewelry repair shop while attending the university that grew into Sharif Jewelers, now recognized as one of Sacramento’s leading jewelry businesses and official jeweler for the Sacramento Kings since 2016.
Five alumni will receive the Distinguished Service Award:
Ronald K. Fong is president and CEO of the California Grocers Association (CGA), which represents over 300 retailers statewide. Under his leadership since 2008, CGA expanded its influence through legislative efforts such as California’s plastic bag ban and strategic mergers. Fong was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom to state economic recovery task forces during COVID-19.
Art Pimentel serves as president of Folsom Lake College. He has led initiatives resulting in increased enrollment and equity improvements at the college, secured major donations, overseen new facility construction, and fostered partnerships with local schools. Pimentel holds degrees from both Sacramento State and UC Davis.
Peter L. Tateishi is CEO of Associated General Contractors (AGC) of California. Since taking over in 2018, he has overseen significant revenue growth and membership expansion for AGC California. The organization was named one of “Best Places to Work” by the Sacramento Business Journal under his leadership.
Shelley Wetton is senior vice president/chief marketing officer at Five Star Bank with more than two decades’ experience in branding and communications. She was recognized as Chief Marketing Officer of the Year by the Sacramento Business Journal C-Suite Awards in 2023.
Assemblywoman Lori D. Wilson represents California’s 11th Assembly District covering Solano County parts of Contra Costa and Sacramento Counties. She made history as chair of both the Legislative Black Caucus (as a freshman legislator) and Assembly Transportation Committee—the first Black woman to do so—while also serving on state military councils appointed by Governor Newsom.
Brandon Gonzales will receive this year’s Honorary Alumnus Award for his support to Sacramento State athletics through coaching boxing at Combat U., mentoring youth via Flawless4youth nonprofit programs, and promoting positive community engagement through sports mentorship initiatives.
Award recipients will be honored during a reception on October 30 at Harper Alumni Center on campus.
