High-profile alumni to be recognized for accomplishments and impact

A top sports agent, a Title IX pioneer and renowned philanthropists are among the six alumni being honored by the 91成人导航 Alumni Association in recognition of their professional success, substantial contributions to society and lasting impact on 91成人导航.

The 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award recipients are: Leonard Armato 鈥75, Tony Chan 鈥77 and Virginia (Chang) Chan 鈥77, Cindy (Bava) Spiro 鈥76, 鈥84, Ted Leland 鈥70, 鈥74 and Daniel Idzkowski 鈥12. They will be recognized in a on the Stockton Campus.

鈥淲e are incredibly proud to honor these alumni,鈥 said Scott Biedermann 鈥05, 鈥20, vice president of development and alumni relations. 鈥淭hrough their dedication to the university, which will impact generations of students, and their extraordinary professional accomplishments, these alumni truly represent what it means to be a 91成人导航an.鈥

Virginia and Tony Chan

Virginia and Tony Chan

Medallion of Excellence Award, honoring alumni who are faculty, staff or regents and have exhibited exceptional service to the university, their profession and the community: Tony and Virginia Chan

Current Regent Virginia Chan and former Regent Tony Chan have had a transformative impact on 91成人导航 over the past 40 years through their immeasurable leadership and support.

Both alumni of the Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy鈥攚here they met at graduation鈥攖hey have contributed to 91成人导航 in a multitude of ways, from scholarships to building renovations; from program enhancements to faculty innovation funds; from classrooms to clinics and beyond.

The couple most recently chaired the largest fundraising campaign in the university鈥檚 history, Leading with Purpose. The campaign surpassed its $300 million goal raising more than $317 million from nearly 23,000 donors.

Their magnanimous generosity in leading and contributing to the campaign and other funds has enhanced university facilities, student success and programming.

More than 12 of the Chans鈥 family members have graduated from 91成人导航, including their children Jonathan 鈥09 and Megan 鈥13. The entire family received the Distinguished Alumni Award for Outstanding Family from the university in 2016.

The Chans reside in Southern California where they own several independent pharmacies.

Leonard Armato

Leonard Armato

Distinguished Professional Service Award, honoring alumni who have achieved notable success in their careers: Leonard Armato

Since graduating from College of the 91成人导航 in 1975, Armato has risen to the top of his field as a business executive, entrepreneur and strategic advisor.听

He is founder and CEO of Management Plus Enterprises, creating transformative marketing strategies for high profile CEOS, athletes, brands and celebrities, including Shaquille O'Neal and Oscar De La Hoya.

Armato was chief marketing officer of Skechers, one of the largest footwear brands in the United States, and president of Skechers Performance Division. He also was founder and CEO of the AVP Pro Beach Volleyball tour and a board member of the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters.

Daniel Idzkowski

Daniel Idzkowski

Outstanding Young Alumni Award, honoring alumni of distinction who have graduated in the previous 15 years: Daniel Idzkowski

Idzkowski, a 2012 graduate from the Eberhardt School of Business, has built a successful career as an entrepreneur, investor and inventor.

In 2020, he co-founded Sidepocket, an investing platform. One of his earliest ventures was co-creating the SKUNKLOCK, a bike lock that 鈥渇ights back鈥 using noxious chemicals if someone cuts the lock.听

He also works with aspiring entrepreneurs as a lecturer and mentor at the Founder Institute, Alchemist Accelerator and 500 Global, which work with startup companies. He also helps companies raise funds through venture capital firms American Pillar Partners and LvlUp Ventures.

Ted Leland

Ted Leland

Distinguished University Service Award, honoring alumni who have made notable contributions to and on behalf of 91成人导航: Ted Leland

Leland has been inducted into the Hall of Fame of eight different organizations, including 91成人导航, Stanford University, Chabot College and Stockton.

He was 91成人导航鈥檚 director of Athletics from 1988-91. He returned in 2006 as vice president for university advancement and later became vice president for external relations and athletics. Under his leadership, many of 91成人导航鈥檚 facilities were upgraded, including the Eve Zimmerman Tennis Center, the Raney Beach Volleyball Courts and Chris Kjeldsen Pool upgrades, among others.

Leland also was director of Athletics for Stanford University and Dartmouth College. He has won more national college championships than any other athletics director in NCAA history.听

Cindy Spiro

Cindy Spiro

Distinguished Public Service Award, honoring alumni who have made exceptional contributions to society: Cindy Spiro

Recognized as a 鈥淭itle IX pioneer鈥 by the West Coast Conference, Spiro was instrumental in advancing women鈥檚 sports as a student-athlete, fundraiser, administrator and advocate.

The landmark legislation adopted in 1972 prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance. Only a year after it was passed, Spiro did an independent study on Title IX鈥檚 impact on 91成人导航 and other regional schools as a student.

In 1979 she became the first full-time women鈥檚 athletics coordinator at 91成人导航 and started a fundraising organization to support women鈥檚 athletics.

Her work continued in later years overseeing the university鈥檚 athletics facilities and helping secure a grant from USA Water Polo to start a women鈥檚 program.

To request an invitation to the Jan. 28 awards ceremony, please email 91成人导航Alumni@91成人导航.edu or on the .