The CSUS Alumni Association declared April Alumni Month, and throughout the month, the university has held a series of both on-campus and off-campus events, as well as special promotions and discounts for students and members of the association.

On April 12, volunteers handed out free Leatherby&s ice cream in the library quad to celebrate &Green and Gold Day.&

Students wearing the Sacramento State signature colors received free ice cream, as well as goodie bags with candy, information on the organization and coupons.

Thursday was the Distinguished Service Awards ceremony. The awards honor Sac State alumni who have &brought distinction to themselves and to the university through their accomplishments.&

Recipients of the awards included Albert Nájera, Sacramento Police Chief; Todd Murch, president of Eskaton and professor Ann Weldy.

The idea for the celebration came in February when university President Alexander Gonzalez declared April alumni month, said Joseph Sheley, the Alumni Association&s executive director.

The Alumni Association, the University Advancement Office and Associated Students Inc. coordinated the special events.

Sheley said the purpose for alumni month is to honor alumni and to call attention to the contributions Sac State makes to the community.

&Our alums, our students and our campus operation help fuel the local economy,& Sheley said in an e-mail Wednesday. &We are Sacramento&s university and a serious community partner. That&s what Alumni Month is all about.&

The Alumni Association&s Web site says one in every 26 residents in the region is a graduate of Sac State.

Alumni and students are also being offered extended discounts and promotions in honor of the celebration.

The Hornet Bookstore is offering a 20 percent discount on alumni clothing and a 10 percent discount on diploma frames.

The Alumni Center is also handing out coupons for free food from Dining Services.

Alumni will receive discounted admissions to &Smart Love: A Musical Tribute to Bob Smart.&

The production features numbers from the shows &Guys and Dolls,& &A Chorus Line,& &Rent& and &Les Miserables.&

The show will be at 8 p.m. Friday in the University Theater. Tickets are $20 general admission, $18 for Alumni Association members and $5 for students.

Alumni discounts are also available for &Vinegar Tom.& The show runs from April 29 through May 8 and alumni tickets are available for $8.

Alumni month will end with a Sacramento River Cats game on April 28.

Raley Field is declaring the event Sacramento State Night. Several rows of seats on &Home Run Hill& will be designated for Sac State attendees. Tickets are $12, $9 and $6.