Alumni Association Awards for Excellence Gala Sells Out for the First Time
Event Recognizes Six Outstanding Alumni and Students

Judy Piercey | June 9, 2008

Khaled Hosseini, author of "The Kite Runner" speaks during this year's alumni Awards for Excellence ceremony. He was recognized as the Outstanding Alumnus of the Year.

Stellar alumni honorees, graduates eager to reconnect with their alma mater, and a recharged UCSD Alumni Association all resulted in a sell-out Awards for Excellence event for the first time in its 30-year history. 

A capacity crowd of 460 UC San Diego alumni and guests attended the gala scholarship fundraiser June 7 in the new, expanded Price Center on campus. More than $50,000 was generated to benefit UCSD Alumni Association endowed scholarship programs, bringing to nearly $1 million the total raised for scholarships through the annual Awards for Excellence events.

Alumni receiving top honors included . Afghan-American Khaled Hosseini, M.D. ’93, physician and author of A Thousand Splendid Suns and The Kite Runner,“Outstanding Alumnus of the Year;” Gunars Valkirs ’74, Ph.D.’82, biophysicist and co-founder of Biosite Incorporated, “Professional Achievement Award;” Anthony Jackson ’74, physician, undergraduate mentor and education advocate, “Distinguished Service to the University;” David Jordan, professor emeritus, Anthropology, and former provost of Warren College, “Distinguished Teaching;” and students Sapna Iyer and Jeffrey Mounzer received the “Outstanding Senior Award” for their scholarly achievement, student leadership and community involvement.

“Since its inception, UC San Diego has been an academic powerhouse for undergrads and graduate students,” said Pam Palisoul ’72, honorary chair of the 2008 Alumni Excellence Awards.  “Today, through the hard work, foresight and innovation of all the administrations, the professors and 30 years of the Alumni Association, UC San Diego is a school of academic pride and integrity, school loyalty and family tradition.

Palisoul added, “I’m proud to be a UC San Diego graduate!”

UCSD alumnus Gunars Valkirs , biophysicist and co-founder of Biosite Incorporated, received the Professional Achievement Award during Saturday's gala.