Lazari, a Chemistry major and first generation college graduate, received the special award as the student with highest academic achievement and a grade point average that exceeded 4.0 perfection.
“Mark has it all: He has the rare combination of grades, research, leadership, community service, great sense of purpose in life and a good sense of humor,” CSU Stanislaus Provost James Strong said when announcing the award, which is traditionally a surprise kept until commencement day.
Lazari credits his Assyrian parents, who immigrated from Iran in the late 1970s, for his perseverance. Asked how he achieved his success, he said:
“My parents’ constant love and support. My parents left Iran because of the persecution they were subjected to there. I appreciate and took advantage of the opportunities available to me here that don’t exist in Iran.”
Lazari was an active member and past president of the American Chemical Society student chapter, was a member of the Faculty Mentor Program, helped fellow students at the tutoring center and even co-founded a Salsa Dance club on campus.
He presented research findings at the American Society of Biochemists and Molecular Biologists’ national meeting. He was also involved in a collaborative research project with the University of Pacific, involveing molecular modeling of peptides bound to metals in the gas phase.
As for the future, Lazari will study medical imaging at the University of California, Los Angeles’ competitive graduate program in materials science engineering.
The Metzger-Geiger Award, established by Mr. Lee Metzger in 1970 and joined by the Geiger family of Geiger's Jewelry in 1999, is awarded to the graduating student with the highest undergraduate grade point average based solely on the coursework completed at California State University, Stanislaus.
The J. Burton Vasché Award, which goes to the student who displays the highest standards of leadership, cooperation, participation, service and scholarship, will be awarded at Saturday’s program.
CIA Director Leon Panetta, the keynote speaker at the opening commencement program today, spoke of his own experience as the son of Italian immigrants who harvested walnuts in California.
Panetta joked that when he was elected to Congress in 1976, his father told him he was well trained for Washington.
“You’ve been dodging nuts your whole life,” his father told him.