The first event in the celebration of Cleveland State University’s 50th anniversary is the annual Distinguished Alumni Awards, which will honor nine outstanding graduates for their service, leadership and career achievements. The gala event also will salute all past award recipients.

The awards ceremony will be held Thursday, September 18, at the Bert L. and Iris S. Wolstein Center, 2000 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland.

The 2014 honorees are:

George B. Davis Award for Service to the University

Anthony S. Bakale (BBA accounting ’82) is a partner with Cohen & Company, one of the country’s largest certified public accountant firms, headquartered in downtown Cleveland. He is the firm’s tax technical director and the longest-serving member of its board of directors. The George B. Davis Award recognizes a graduate’s generous dedication to the growth and advancement of Cleveland State University in honor of George Davis BBA ’41 and MBA ’81.

College Awards

Andrew Jackson (BBA accounting ’82, Monte Ahuja College of Business) is an entrepreneur who serves as president and chief executive officer of AJ Automotive Group and Elsons International, two of six small businesses he has created in the Greater Cleveland area.

Murray Winland (MEd adult learning and development ’93, College of Education and Human Services) joined eBay in 2012 and is the director of the Global Customer Experience Learning and Quality Management organization.

Kenneth P. Jayjack (BS industrial engineering ’82, Washkewicz College of Engineering) is vice president of global supply for American Greetings Corporation, with responsibility for North American manufacturing/distribution operations and China-based global sourcing functions.

Elizabeth Pugh (JD ’78, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law) has been the general counsel of the U.S. Library of Congress since 1998. She serves on C|M|LAW’s National Advisory Council and in 2008, received an honorary doctor of humane letters degree from CSU.

Richard Janus (MA economics ’77, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences) is the senior managing director and chief investment officer, convertible securities for Victory Capital Management. He joined the firm in 1977 after serving as a bank examiner with the U.S. Treasury Department.

Paul J. Gemperline (BS chemistry ’78 and Ph.D. clinical-bioanalytical chemistry ’82, College of Sciences and Health Professions) has been dean of the Graduate School at East Carolina University since 2009 and a faculty member in chemistry since 1982.

Sam McNulty (BA urban studies ’97, Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs) has opened six restaurants in the Ohio City neighborhood of Cleveland. His properties include Bier Markt, Bar Cento and Speakeasy.

Cynthia Struk (BSN nursing ’83, School of Nursing) is the president of home care, hospice and palliative services for the Summa Health System. Her career also includes 23 years in leadership roles with the Visiting Nurse Association of Ohio.

Tickets for the Distinguished Alumni Awards ceremony are $125 each. Sponsorships and tables are available. The evening includes a reception at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner and the awards program at 6:30 p.m. Valet parking is included. For reservations or sponsorships, please call 216-687-5045 by Thursday, September 4.