A gift for your Gator graduate

After your Gator walks across the stage at AT&T Park, show him or her how proud you are with a gift that commemorates the unique SF State experience. These gifts break from the traditional (who really needs a fancy pen these days?) and celebrate the achievements of SF State alums, giving a newly minted grad something to aspire to.

Books

Inspire a Gator pursuing a career in tech with a new book from alum Doug Menuez, a globe-trekking photographer, titled "Fearless Genius: The Digital Revolution in Silicon Valley 1985-2000." Menuez captures images of such industry giants as Steve Jobs and Bill Gates in the early days of their careers. (For extra inspiration, paste a photograph of your Gator in the front cover and inscribe it, "You're next!")

If your grad is hoping to launch a foodie business, give the gift of good advice with "Good Food, Great Business: How to Take Your Artisan Food Idea from Concept to Marketplace." Alum Susie Wyshak provides step-by-step guidance for turning a foodie dream into a career. Bonus: Your Gator may let you taste-test some samples -- in the name of research, of course.

Is your Gator planning to travel? Alum Kelly Corrigan took off for Australia after graduation with the goal of becoming more interesting -- but things did not go as expected. Corrigan's memoir "Glitter and Glue" might give your Gator some perspective on plans for global exploration.

Film/Television

For a Gator who is into film and television, how about a DVD of "Olive Kitteridge," the award-winning miniseries directed by alum and Academy Award nominee Lisa Cholodenko? The tale of a snarky retired teacher in small-town New England is not only good for binge-watching. The series earned Cholodenko a Director's Guild Award and makes a great example for an aspiring director.

Another option is a subscription to Amazon Prime, giving your Gator access to the television show "Transparent," the story of a Los Angeles family navigating its patriarch's transition to becoming a woman. Alum Jeffrey Tambor picked up a Golden Globe for his performance and is an inspiration to any Gator with dreams of making it big in Hollywood.

Preparing for a New Job

Is your Gator prepping for her first full-time job? A new outfit, spiffy stationery or some desk swag from Lavish, a Hayes Valley boutique, will help her start off on the right foot. And the Lavish story might offer some inspiration: Alum Nicole Bald bought the store at age 22.

A Big Night Out

Express your congratulations by treating your Gator to a memorable evening at a local restaurant owned by an SF State alum. There's a wide range of options: Celebrated eateries such as Foreign Cinema, The Cliff House, Kokkari, Aziza, Beach Chalet and Mozzeria are all owned by alums.

A Lasting Connection

Help your alum stay connected to SF State with an SF State Alumni Association membership. Membership includes borrowing privileges at all 23 CSU libraries, use of the GatorJOBS portal and access to campgrounds at the Sierra Nevada Field Campus.

Another option? Make a donation to SF State in your Gator's name. Funding supports everything from campus improvements to scholarships that help freshmen follow in your grad's footsteps. The brand-new alum will be feeling nostalgic before that giddy graduation feeling has worn off.

-- Beth Tagawa