Beneath two tall trees in the courtyard near Hardy Tower restsplaques dedicated to two former university employers who went abovethe call of duty.
The two employees, Sociology professor Emeritus Donald Walker andsecretary Emeritus Yumiko Tsuneyoshi, were recognized for their workin academia and the community by the San Diego State UniversityMortar Board Saturday.
“I feel like a guy who doesn’t go to church very often andsuddenly became a bishop,” Walker said. “I’m very happy.”
The Mortar Board, a national honor society for college seniors,has recognized outstanding faculty and staff for the past 15 years.
Tsuneyoshi passed away June 21from cancer, but friends werepresent at the ceremony to keep her memory alive.
“She was an exceptionally good person,” said Ernest Griffin,special assistant for enrollment management in academic affairs.
“She always had a smile on her face and loved the students.”
Tsuneyoshi was Griffin’s secretary in the geography department for14 years before transferring departments.
“She was not only a secretary, but also the glue of the departmentthat kept it together,” he said.
She began her work at SDSU as an intermediate stenographer for theuniversity in 1963. After a year, she transferred to the anthropologydepartment to serve as a clerical assistant and secretary. In 1986,she found her nitch as the secretary for the geography department.This is where she stayed until she retired in February 2000.
Walker began his teaching career as an SDSU sociology instructorin 1949. From there, he climbed up the ladder by going from anassistant professor of sociology to an associate dean of students andvice president for Academic Affairs.
But Walker was recognized for more than just his academicaccomplishment.
“He respected those who advised him, yet made his own decisions,”said SDSU scholarship director Kathie Ross in a written statement.”He was a strong person with a gentleness, a twinkle in his eye andthe ability to command attention of a large audience because hiscommunication skills were masterful.”
At a luncheon following the ceremony SDSU President Stephen Weberhonored the two faculty members and updated guests on faculty issuesin the university. For example, in the next five years over half ofthe staff will be replaced because of the large number of peopleretiring. Weber said the university budget will make it possible tohire more tenure track faculty and new faculty offices will beconstructed.
The award was started by The Mortar Board because they wanted away to recognize faculty members who had done more than just theirjob, said Jane Smith, assistant for academic services.
“This is something our Mortar Board started,” said journalismsenior Alyssa Marlow. “It’s a way to honor our faculty and forfaculty to honor each other.”
Applications are sent out to emeritus faculty who submit them backto Mortar Board. Over 25 faculty and staff have been recognized.
