Join us at Mesa Community College’s (MCC) annual Hall of Fame event
The Mesa Community College Hall of Fame honors alumni, community members, and MCC employees whose personal and professional accomplishments and positive contributions to the college and community set them apart.
Thursday, October 27, 2022
6 p.m. – Hors d’oeuvres Reception MCC ART GALLERY PATIO
7 p.m. – Program MCC THEATRE
Mesa Community College, 1833 West Southern Avenue, Mesa, AZ 85202
Free and Open to the Public • RSVP Required
2022 Hall of Fame Honorees
Alumni Achievement
• Tommy Arviso Jr., nationally awarded journalist, mentor, Navajo Nation business and community leader
• Jacob A. Chavez, Ed.D., recognized for innovative elementary school diversity programs, teacher support, and parental engagement
• Gerardo E. de los Santos, Ph.D., renowned leader in higher education attainment, inducted into the American Association of Community College’s Hall of Fame
• Aaron D. Franklin, Ph.D., Duke University Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Chemistry; 50+ patents, Dean’s Award for Excellence in Mentoring
• Dennis Pirch, AZ Coaches Association Hall of Fame, founded/coached 30 years Payson High School wrestling program; U.S. High School Coach of the Year; AZ National Wrestling Hall of Fame
Excellence in Teaching
• Charles Keith Evans, MCC’s first Theatre Arts professor, decades directing award-winning theatre productions, helped establish the Theatre Outback as well as the Mesa Center for the Arts
Distinguished MCC Staff
• Greg Reents, U.S. Air Force veteran; global advocate for cultural diversity; fosters student success through outreach to marginalized communities
Outstanding MCC Athletes
• Michelle Amete-Saleaumua, top MCC All American with 10 Track & Field awards; broke MCC indoor weight mark, junior college national record in the hammer throw
• Mike Brown, head coach Sacramento Kings, led Cleveland Cavaliers to 2007 NBA finals, NBA Coach of the Year, coached Nigerian national basketball team in Summer 2021 Olympics
• Dave Collins, All American on Mesa’s 1972 NJCAA national championship team; 16-year Major League Baseball career for seven teams, primarily Cincinnati Reds