Electronic
Newsletter
Volume 1 Issue 9
April 2003
Welcome to PSFA E-Connect, an electronic newsletter for alumni and friends of the College of Professional Studies & Fine Arts (PSFA). We hope you enjoy this summary of SDSU and PSFA news. For detailed information, click on the links provided or copy and paste into your web browser.
EVENTS CALENDAR
Saturday Night
|
Apr. 25-27 May 1-4 |
Solo Exhibition: “Anne Wilson Unfoldings”www.sdsu.edu/artgallery |
Apr. 7 May 7 |
MFA Thesis Graduate Exhibition: Reception 6-9 p.m. |
Apr. 14-17 Apr. 17 |
MFA Thesis Exhibition Reception 6-9 p.m. |
Apr. 19-24 Apr. 19 |
Furniture Design Graduate Exhibition: Flor y Canto Gallery |
April 19-24 April 19 |
School of Music and Dance |
Apr. 7 May 7 |
School of Public Administration and Urban Studies Luncheon and Awards Ceremony honoring 2002-2003 graduating class. Luncheon keynote and alumna of the Year: Cupcake Brown, Attorney, Bingham, McCutchen, San Francisco |
Apr. 27 |
Kiwanis Annual Fundraising Concert for SDSU School of Music and Dance Student Ensemble-in-Residence Program (STER) Ray and Joan Kroc Center Concert 7p.m. |
May 4 |
| PSFA Commencement Cox Arena, 4:00 p.m. |
May 17 |
NORMAN BRINKER LAUNCHES HTM EXECUTIVE-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM
Restaurant pioneer Norman Brinker returned to his alma mater to kick off the Norman Brinker Executive-in-Residence Program housed in the Hospitality & Tourism Management Program.
Photograph: Courtesy of Dave Siccardi
Created to bring outstanding entrepreneurs to SDSU each year to instruct and mentor faculty and students, as well as work with the region's visitors industry, this new program was established through a one million dollar grant from the Norman Brinker Fund for Communities Foundation in Texas. Brinker (SDSU ’57, Business Administration), restaurant entrepreneur and founder/chairman emeritus of Brinker International, is best known for creating the casual dining concept and the now ubiquitous “Salad Bar”. Brinker International restaurants include Chili’s Grill and Bar and On the Border Mexican Café, among others. In addition, the company has over 1,200 restaurants worldwide, with annual revenues of $3 billion.Michael J. Corr is HTM’s first Executive-in-Residence and brings to the Program over 25 years experience as a senior executive in the hospitality industry. Formerly, Corr served as President of Upscale Operations for Six Continents Hotels, a position which included responsibility for InterContinental Hotels and Crowne Plaza Hotels and Resorts. Mr. Corr is currently teaching “ Introduction to Hotel Operations and Management”
CONGRATULATIONS TO PSFA ADAMS MINIGRANT RECIPIENTS
The SDSU Foundation recently announced that Adams Humanities Minigrants have been awarded to six PSFA faculty members in the latest round of competition announced last autumn. The grants fund programs to enhance the liberal studies experience for SDSU students by supporting projects that are supplemental to the instructional program. PSFA awardees for the coming year are:
- Jo-Anne Berelowitz, Art, Design & Art History. “LA County Museum Trip”
- Peter Cirino, Theatre. “Theatre for Youth Project”
- Wendy Maruyama, Art, Design & Art History. “Furniture Study Trip”
- Susan Merritt, Art, Design & Art History. “Design Study Tour”
- Patricia Sandback and Melissa Nunn, Music and Dance. “Dance Festival Trip”
- Joseph Waters, Music and Dance. “Electronic Music Studio”
PSFA HONORS SCIENTISTS FOR THEIR “SPARKS OF GENIUS”
Five SDSU scientists who exemplify creativity in both the arts and sciences were honored during SDSU Month at a lecture and award ceremony on campus attended by the public, students, faculty and staff from PSFA and the College of Sciences. MacArthur prizewinner, author of the book Sparks of Genius: The Thirteeen Thinking Tools of the World’s Most Creative People, and professor of physiology at Michigan State University, Robert Root-Bernstein and his wife and co-author Michele gave a presentation on their work showing how people in the artistic and scientific disciplines use the same mental tools, and how people can learn to use the same creative thinking techniques used by geniuses from Albert Einstein to Mozart, to approach and solve problems. Honorees included scientist /musicians David Pullman, Sandy Bernstein and Rich Levine, scientist/poet Calvin Johnson and scientist/sculptor Ray Menegus.
Photograph: Courtesy of Karyl Carmignani
PUTTING FOR DOUGH FOR HTM PROGRAM
The San Diego State University Hospitality and Tourism Management Program was selected to be the beneficiary of this year’s ConVis (San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau) Hospitality Cup Open Gold Tournament. This sold out event was held in the fall at the beautiful Maderas Gold Club in Poway. The $12,000 proceeds from the event will provide scholarships for HTM
Artist: Bobbie Fisher |
 |
| Photograph: Courtesy of School of Art, Design & Art History |
AND THE WINNER IS...
Hats off to this year’s awardees at the 5th Annual Student Art Award Exhibition at the Everett Gee Jackson and Flor y Canto Galleries at SDSU. The Student Art Award Exhibition is open to all upper division and graduate students nominated by a full-time faculty member at PSFA’s School of Art, Design and Art History. This year’s President’s Award went to undergraduate graphic design student, Jeanette Sears, while undergraduate art student Bobbie Fisher was the recipient of the prestigious PSFA Dean’s Award. In addition, awards were presented to several other talented young artists including: Gary Carlos, Will Gustwiller, Mia Hall, Amy Mayfield, Norihiko Seto, Nick Wilkinson and Krista Zimmerman.
ARTS ADVOCATE DEA HURSTON JOINS PSFA DEAN’S ADVISORY BOARD
Former
San Diego Unified Schools’ educator and businesswoman Dea Hurston
recently joined the Dean’s Advisory Board. Hurston brings a wealth
of experience from the private, public and non-profit sectors to the college’s
Board having been active in the San Diego arts community for many years.
A successful fundraiser, she is active in, and/or serves on the Boards
of a number of local organizations including: Common Ground Theatre, Eveoke
Dance Theatre, Sledgehammer Theatre, San Diego Black Ensemble Theatre,
San Diego Youth Symphony, San Diego Repertory Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse
Center Stage Club, Mainly Mozart Advisory Board, San Diego Performing Arts
League, and others. She was awarded the Women Incorporated Woman of Distinction
in 2002 and was the La Jolla Playhouse Star Honoree in 2001. The Dean’s
Advisory Board helps secure philanthropic support for PSFA and counsels
the Dean on issues of importance to the College.
CHILD & FAMILY DEVELOPMENT STUDENTS/FACULTY PRESENT AT MAJOR CONFERENCE
Almost 100 CFD undergrads, along with several faculty and graduate students attended the conference of the California Council on Family Relations in Bakersfield this month. Department Chair Dr. Tom Roberts and graduate students Jane Chung, Amy Lu and Manuel Angeles presented a paper on the various facets of child abuse. Dr. Audrey Hokoda presented on a program to prevent bullying in schools, while Teresa Ganger and Dr. Shulamit Ritblatt had a paper accepted for presentation on images of grandparents from four decades children’s literature.
ART ALUM FINDS FAME IN COMICS
Former Lemon Grove resident and Daily Aztec editorial cartoonist Lalo Alcaraz (B.A. Art ‘87) launched his politically charged, versus politically correct, comic strip “La Cucaracha” (“The Cockroach”) just last year. Carried by 65 newspapers nationwide, including the Los Angeles Times and Chicago Tribune, it has recently become part of the daily and Sunday comics in The San Diego Union Tribune. Universal Press Syndicate, which offers the strip, calls it “the first Latino-themed, politically oriented comic to be syndicated nationally.” According to the now Los Angeles-based Alcaraz, who also writes screenplays and draws editorial cartoons, “La Cucaracha” is “based on real life…People want to see a more well-rounded representation of Latinos, not just a politically correct fantasy.”
THEATRE ALUMS PAIR UP FOR WORLD PREMIERE AT LA JOLLA STAGE COMPANY
Department
of Theatre faculty member (SDSU MFA
’95) Paula Pierson continues her exciting work at the La Jolla Stage
Company directing the world premiere of Willows. In collaboration
with her husband, Tim Heitman (SDSU MFA ‘96), Ms. Pierson delights
audiences of all ages with this magical and imaginative production. Based
on Kenneth Graham’s book, The Wind in the Willows, the original
play, written by Mr. Heitman, focuses on a rat, mole, badger and toad who
provide a musical tale with a contemporary slant. The exceptionally talented
Mr. Heitman created the music, lyrics, costuming and make-up for this innovative
production. Willows runs through April 20, 2003. For tickets and
schedule information, please call the La Jolla Stage Company at (858) 459-7773
or visit their website at www.thestageco.org.
Photograph: Courtesy
of William Myerchin
Photography Studio
MUSIC AND DANCE ALUMNI COUPLE PERFORMS ON CAMPUS
PSFA alums Michael Tacchia and Michele Brosseau-Tacchia brought their considerable musical talents back to campus, providing a free concert of classical works combining cello and piano at Smith Recital Hall on April 9th. The couple received M.A. degrees from the School of Music and Dance in 1982, after doing graduate study in Vienna, Austria and at the New England Conservatory of Music. During their 23-year marriage, the two have focused on in-depth interpretations of the repertoire for cello and piano, while at the same time developing their careers as soloists. They have also worked to further and enhance music education among young people as well as their own community as members of the San Bernardino Symphony.
CLASS NOTES
Did you get a promotion? Recently relocated? Personal news to share? Send us your news and/or updated contact information to Class Notes at econnect@mail.sdsu.edu.
GIVING BACK
Thank you to all our wonderful donors who are giving back to SDSU. Your gifts to PSFA and its Fund for Excellence greatly benefit our College and its programs. For those who prefer the convenience of on-line giving, the University’s Web page is www.sdsu.edu/giving. Each gift will be recognized by on-line confirmation, plus a follow-up email message that can be retained for tax purposes. The site is secured to protect personal information, including credit card numbers.