Recognition will be given to Sacramento State’s alumni community this month in celebration of their hard work and career accomplishments.

The month of April kicked off with a dessert reception in which members of the Alumni Association were recognized for their dedication to the association and the university.

Craig Perez, stewardship officer to the Sac State University Advancement, graduated in 1977 with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology. Perez is an alumnus who helped research the alumni wine growers who will attend the Stinger Wine and Food Classic at 6 p.m. at the Alumni Center on April 25 as the second annual fundraiser for student athletes.

The event will host alumni winery growers in promotion of their selected wines. Students are invited to attend with an entrance fee of $40.

Perez encourages alumni to participate in fundraising efforts. Perez said donations are not just important for the school, but they are crucial to the future success of current students.

Throughout this month, alumni are invited to share their stories as former Sac State students during orientation for incoming freshmen and campus organizations.

President to the Business Alumni Chapter Kevin Nobuo Nakano graduated in 2000 with his second bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in accounting.

Now a residential broker, Nakano recounted the center as one of the main elements of his success. Without any accounting experience, the center’s counselors advised him on how to dress for an interview, the GPA necessary to graduate and encouraged him to enter the Accounting Society, an organization of accounting students.

When asked to deliver presentations, Nakano mentors students on how to get involved in career-oriented events, such as career fairs and orientations, and encourages them to spend time at the Career Center to prepare for interviews, graduation and internships.

The Alummi Business Chapter will collaborate with the Alumni Center on Tuesday in the Speed Networking Event. The event will allow alumni to network with business professionals for one hour. Businesses will provide feedback on how alumni can advance themselves in their careers.

The Alumni Society and the University nominated the outstanding alumni honorees of 2008, based on their prominent career accomplishments, for the Distinguished Service Awards Banquet that will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday inside the Alumni Center. The banquet has been held for over 21 years and to this day is regarded as the highest recognition of Sac State alumni.

Featuring the Sacramento River Cats and Tuscon Sidewinders baseball teams, Sac State Night at the River Cats will allow alumni and students to sing the national anthem. Sac State President Alexander Gonzalez will throw the first pitch of the game.

Lou Camera, director for Student Activities and event organizer, said students will have the opportunity to venture outside the university and enjoy the off-campus games offered at a low cost.

Junior pre-nursing major Ninette Tan will join her friends for what she hopes is a fun night at Sacramento’s Raley Field in West Sacramento where the game will take place.

“I want to swing by and check-out President Gonzalez’s pitching skills,” Tan said.

For more information on upcoming Alumni Month events, contact the Alumni Center at (916) 278-6295.

Vanessa Guerrero can be reached at [email protected],