Outstanding alumni to be honored at Hall of Fame event

Barbara Brannon (top) and Mu Sochua are the two 2015 Alumnae of the Year.

San Francisco State University President Les Wong, along with University community members, will honor five outstanding alumni on Friday, Nov. 6, at the annual President's Dinner and Alumni Hall of Fame Celebration.

Tickets to the event, which will take place at the Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco, are available to the public.

"The Hall of Fame event is an opportunity for SF State alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends to come together and celebrate our alumni," said Doug Hupke, director of alumni relations. "I think it reminds people of the important role that SF State holds within the Bay Area community and beyond, and it demonstrates the value of a degree from SF State to our alumni and current students."

President Wong will honor two alumnae of the year during the event. Barbara Lavis Brannon received her B.S. in nursing in 1972 and is president and chief executive officer of Falcons Landing, a military retirement community in Virginia. The retired Air Force major general served as the assistant surgeon general for medical force development and, separately, for nursing services.

The Honorable Mu Sochua, who graduated from SF State in 1979 with a B.A. in psychology, will also receive recognition as one of the alumnae of the year. Sochua is a member of the Cambodian parliament and was formerly that country's minister for women's affairs. As a political activist, Sochua has worked tirelessly to improve conditions for women in Cambodia by taking on issues including domestic violence, the spread of HIV/AIDS and abuse toward minors.

In addition to Brannon and Suchua, President Wong will recognize three other Gators -- the following 2015 Alumni Hall of Fame inductees:

• Kevin Anderson (B.A., '79) is the athletic director at the University of Maryland. He graduated with a degree in political science from the College of Liberal and Creative Arts.
• Sherry M. Hirota (attended '70) is the chief executive officer of Asian Health Services.
• Daniel Sullivan (B.A., '62) is a Tony Award-winning director and playwright. He received a drama degree from the College of Liberal and Creative Arts (then called the College of Creative Arts). 

The President's Dinner and Alumni Hall of Fame is part of the 2015 SF State Alumni and Family Weekend. An annual celebration of the University's past, present and future, the weekend features luncheons, athletic events, lectures, tours and reunions. This year's Alumni and Family Weekend will also offer a ticketed luncheon with keynote speaker and former student Danny Glover, a local beer tasting for alumni over 21 with Local Brewing Co. CEO (and alumna) Regan Long and an Alumni and Family Day Festival, among other activities. 

The Hall of Fame event offers ticketing options ranging from a single Sponsored Student Ticket to a Platinum Sponsorship package. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sf-state-presidents-dinner-alumni-hall-of-fame-celebration-tickets-18442537125.