ASU doles out awards

Alumni, professors among winners

 by Katie Ruark  published on Friday, April 8, 2005

Andrew Ortiz has been the recipient of many awards in his life, but winning the ASU Young Alumni Award is different.

"It's special because it's not only what I've done in my career and academically, but my contributions to the University," Ortiz said. "It's reflective of my time here and the stuff I've been involved in."

Ortiz received his award at the Alumni Founder's Day at the Memorial Union on Thursday.

Former Tempe Mayor Neil Giuliano was awarded the James W. Creasman Award of Excellence, and Director of Marketing for Undergraduate Initiatives Gini Sater received the Outstanding University Staff Member Award.

Ortiz, who is now project manager for capacity building for the Center for Nonprofit Leadership and Management at ASU, grew up in Tempe and earned his Bachelor of Arts in political science, a Juris Doctorate of Law and a Master of Public Administration at ASU. He also served as student body president.

The Young Alumni Award is given to an alumnus within 15 years of his or her graduation from ASU. The judging criteria consists of achievements in the professional field, contributions to ASU and/or the ASU Alumni Association and contributions to the community.

"I truly think college is the best years of your life," Ortiz said. "It's your first taste of independence and it is a crucible for leadership development. [ASU has] a host of opportunities for personal development."

Ortiz was nominated through letters submitted of his qualifications for the award, including a letter from the College of Public Programs, where he earned his master's in 1999.

"What's really important is he's not only taken his strong academic background and used that but also worked hard for the community," said Jeff Chapman, interim dean of the College of Public Programs. "He's really shown incredible devotion to the community."

Ortiz said a quote from William Butler Yeats describes how he feels about education.

"Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire," the quote states.

"There is a lot more to the University than just filling up your mind," Ortiz said. "It's getting and giving at the same time."

Reach the reporter at katherine.ruark@asu.edu .