Beaconwriter earns press club awards Península Beacon news and sports contributor Scott Hopkins took home five awards in the recent San Diego Press Club “Excellence in Journalism Awards.” Hopkins captured two first-place awards in the non-daily newspaper category. His story of an inventive Point Loma High School (PLHS) student’s science fair project about sailboat keel designs was judged the top education story. His photo of a cerebral palsy-afflicted PLHS student’s joy while receiving his diploma at graduation was named best in feature photography. A story about the great improvement in the PLHS girls’ volleyball team earned Hopkins a second-place honor in sports writing. He also received second-place honors in feature writing for his account of the life celebration service for former Aztecs and Chargers head coach Don Coryell. A third-place award in breaking news went to Hopkins for an exclusive Beacon story about the hiring of a new trio of baseball coaches at PLHS, including former major leaguer and Pointer alumni David Wells. The San Diego Press Club awards ceremony was held Oct. 25 at the Hall of Champions in Balboa Park and honored achievements in local newspapers, radio, television and pubic relations. Hopkins is a retired educator and PLHS alumni. Local community leader honored at PLNU festival Malin Burnham, chairman of John Burnham & Co. Insurance and Burnham Real Estate, was honored as the recipient of the Point Loma Nazarene University’s Presidential Community Service Award during the university’s annual fall festival in October. The award is given to individuals who express the university’s value of community service. In addition to his involvement with the Burnham Companies, Malin has been active as a board member of several major corporations. His present involvements include board member of Sanford|Burnham Medical Research Institute; UCSD Foundation; Rady School of Management; SDSU Campanile Foundation and the USS Midway Museum; and co-chairman of the Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine. Malin also served as a trustee of Stanford University from 1985 to 1995. He also co-established the Burnham-Moores Center for Real Estate at the University of San Diego. Malin has been a world-recognized sailor for five decades and has helped San Diego achieve prominence in both local and professional sports. At age 17, he became the youngest skipper to win a World Championship in the International Star Class. In 1987, he played a leading role in bringing the America’s Cup to San Diego. Also recognized was Vincent Mudd, owner, president and chief executive officer of San Diego Office Interiors. Mudd has been recognized in the San Diego community for his leadership in entrepreneurship and sustainability. He has also served as chairman of the Citizen’s Fiscal Sustainability Task Force, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, the American Red Cross, numerous investment and audit committees, and is the current chairman of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce. For more information, visit www.pointloma.edu/FallFestival. Local among honorees at Philanthropy Day event The Association of Fundraising Professionals San Diego chapter feted a long list of honorees during its 39th annual National Philanthropy Day luncheon on Nov. 1 — including a Point Loma woman. Nearly 1,000 community members came together to celebrate some of the region’s most generous individuals and corporations, including Carole Fish of CFRE, who was presented the Outstanding Development Professional Award. This year’s event on 11/1/11 led to the 2011 theme of “One by One” to illustrate the power behind one person, one group, one gesture and the impact of each of these on the community as a whole. “National Philanthropy Day is always a special reminder of the deep spirit of generosity that is ever-present in San Diego,” said Charlene Pryor, event chairwoman. “This year’s theme of ‘One by One’ further illuminated the incredible commitment and community pride of each participant, each sponsor and each committee member. Those of us lucky enough to have been a part of it will be inspired for years to come.” The Association of Fundraising Professionals San Diego chapter (AFPSD) is dedicated to empowering people and organizations to practice ethical and effective fundraising through education, certification, mentoring and diversity recruitment.  For more information, visit www.afpsandiego.afpnet.org. 2 PL women serving on ASID chapter board The San Diego chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers recently announced leadership changes that included the election of a new president. Among the board members are also two Point Loma residents — Robin Carrier and Kathleen Kita-Palmer. Elected chapter president was Solana Beach resident Mary Kellejian. She is an award-winning interior designer who recently moved her design studio Polo Bay Interiors to the Cedros Avenue Design District after a 25-year stint in Del Mar. Her firm offers comprehensive design services for commercial and residential clients, including new construction and remodeling. She is also a certified real estate staging specialist. Carrier has now become the ASID’s president-elect, while Kita-Palmer will serve as director at large. The San Diego chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers has more than 500 professional and allied members and is part of the oldest and largest organization of professional interior designers in the world. Professional membership is earned through accredited education, years of qualifying experience and postgraduate examinations. The American Society of Interior Designers helps protect the health, safety and welfare of consumers by encouraging and requiring members to keep abreast of evolving technologies, regulations and safety issues. For more information, visit www.ASIDSanDiego.org, or call (858) 646-9896.