We award innovation, creativity and impact in our students
Each year San Diego State University recognizes one graduating senior for exceptional entrepreneurial achievement while an undergraduate.
The Zahn Spirit of Innovation Award is funded by Irwin Zahn and the Moxie Foundation. Zahn’s philanthropic giving goes beyond this annual scholarship. His donations also created the Zahn Innovation Platform Launchpad and the Zahn Professorship of Creativity and Innovation.
Mark Heine, Class of 2025
Multi-talented Mark brings his entrepreneurial spirit to every endeavor, balancing internships, a national NASA pitch competition, and passion projects.
Daisy Lopez, Class of 2024
Food scientist Daisy hopes to convince kids and adults alike to eat more nutritiously and sustainably by incorporating insects into appetizing treats.
Kekoa Brehm, Class of 2023
Kekoa is starting a global fashion brand, telling stories through clothing, piece by piece
Juan Rojas, Class of 2022
A drive to increase accessibility and affordability of electrical vehicles fuels Aztec Electric Racing's president
Gabe Floresca-Igtanloc, Class of 2021
Chasejamison "Chase" Akilah Manar-Spears, Class of 2020
A year in Ghana inspired a commitment to environmental and social justice that helped lead to her to an idea: Roots Collective.
Shurene Premo, Class of 2019
Shurene's commitment to a higher level of social work for Native Americans drives her ambition to someday build a Native American recovery and treatment center for her hometown Shoshone reservation in remote northern Nevada.
Chase Whittaker, Class of 2018
Chase founded the SanD/Stone Initiative, a nonprofit dedicated to providing education and hygiene-focused interventions for vulnerable populations in Zambia, the United States and Mexico.
Anthony Berteaux, Class of 2017
Anthony, a journalism major, was a thought leader in the SDSU student body, challenging the status quo through columns on diversity, sexism, and religious tolerance in The Daily Aztec and as campus editor-at-large for The Huffington Post.
Austin Owens, Class of 2016
Austin is "passionate about solving problems and making things happen against all odds." He was a SDSU standout for founding the on-campus Mechatronics Club and competing in international RoboSub competitions.