Electronic
Newsletter
Volume 1 Issue 13
August 2003
Welcome to PSFA E-Connect, an electronic newsletter for alumni and friends of the College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts (PSFA). We hope you enjoy this summary of SDSU and PSFA news. For detailed information, please click on the links provided or copy and paste into your web browser.
EVENTS CALENDAR
San Diego Sate University Graduate
Review Exhibition 2003 |
September 15-30, 2003 |
SDSU Faculty Art Exhibition |
September 15-30, 2003 |
How I Learned to Drive |
September 26 - October 5
|
San Diego Dance Theatre Workshop
Concert |
Sat. August 23, 7pm & 9pm |
Faculty Recital: |
Wed. September 17 @ noon |
Mojalet Dance Collective
and Full Force Dance |
Fri/Sat/Sun September 19, 20, and 21
@ 8 pm |
Faculty Jazz Recital: |
Wed. September 24 @ noon |
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION HONORS DR. PETER AUFSESSER
Congratulations
to Pete Aufsesser, professor of exercise and nutritional sciences, on his
selection by the Alumni Association as this year's recipient of the Alumni
Award for Outstanding Contributions to the University. Dr. Aufsesser has
been with SDSU since 1975, and has spent a lifetime pioneering the physical
care of others. In 1983, he founded the Fitness Clinic for the Physically
Disabled, a community-based fitness program for individuals with physical
disabilities. The clinic is self-supporting and serves over 80 individuals
ranging in age from 9-87 with a wide variety of physical disabilities.
It operates 43 weeks a year and trains over 100 interns annually. The program
is one of only two of its kind in the United States, and has helped hundreds
of people with a variety of physical and neuromuscular disabilities, strengthening
and enhancing their endurance, flexibility and overall health.
Pete and other campus recipients will be honored at the University Convocation
to be held August 28, 2003, at 9:00 a.m. in Cox Arena. Congratulations,
Pete!
PSFA WELCOMES NEW FACULTY AND STAFF
As another academic year begins, the College welcomes its new faculty and
staff. Please welcome our new colleagues to the SDSU "family."
Heather Ward joins SDSU as a new professor in the School of Communication.
Her teaching experience includes time at Colorado State University, and
the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Heather received her Ph.D. in Mass
Communication from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2002. Her research
interests include health communication, and science and environmental communication.
Timothy Powell is joining the faculty of the new School of Theatre,
Television and Film. He has taught classes in both film and television
production at Loyola Marymount University and the UCLA Writer's Program.
He is also an active filmmaker, receiving a prime time Emmy nomination
last year in the category of non-fiction. Tim received his Ph.D. in Instructional
Design for Online Learning/Education from Capella University, Minneapolis,
MN.
Felix Olschofka comes to SDSU following teaching experiences at
Indiana University, Pusan Chamber Music Festival of South Korea, and Independent
Pedagogue, Bonn, Germany. Felix is a violinist who has performed in many
concerts throughout Europe, the USA, and South Korea as a soloist and member
of various chamber music groups. He is the recipient of many awards and
scholarships.
Amber Highburger is the new administrative coordinator in the Department of Military Science. Amber comes to PSFA from the Division of Academic Affairs, and has been at SDSU since 1999. She is a graduate of the Criminal Justice Administration program here at SDSU.
SUMMER VACATIONS ARE NOT JUST PLAY...
Award-winning costume designer Holly Poe Durbin has returned from New York where she finished working on the Off-Broadway production The Daughter-In-Law. The project gave her the opportunity to work with director, Martin Platt, whom she has worked with many times designing costumes for period plays and opera. The Daughter-In-Law premiered to rave reviews - including a half-page article in the New York Times (June 16, 2003).
Costume design:
Holly Poe Durbin
In addition to creating costumes, Holly has also been active in her role
as costume historian. She recently secured a large donation to the Alicia
Annas Historical Costume Collection. Because of her efforts, the Fashion
Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM) in Los Angeles has donated
over 100 pieces from their 20th Century study collection. The donated items
include couture and boutique garments from designers such as Chanel, Givenchy,
and Yves St. Laurent.
Kudos to Holly also, on her election to the Board of Directors for the
Costume Society of America, Western Region, and on her commission to deliver
a paper at the San Diego Museum of Art on Japanese Noh Costumes during
the Noh Kimono exhibition.
Holly's present design project, Time Flies, with play-write David Ives, is currently playing at The Globe Theatre through September 7, 2003. Holly Poe Durbin is a faculty member in the School of Theatre, Television and Film.
POINTS OF PRIDE
In a proclamation recently presented by Councilmember Michael Zucchet, SDSU's School of Art, Design and Art History was among the institutions named and recognized for their efforts in the local digital art community. The Mayor and Council of the City of San Diego adopted a Resolution making July 25-31 "Digital Arts Week" in San Diego, which coincided with the SIGGRAPH (Special Interest Group on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques) conference held during those dates at the Convention Center.
SDSU STUDENTS AND ALUMS SHINE NATIONWIDE
Having the right attitude and skills are a must for a successful performer
to capture an audience. Students in the theatre program are trained and
given the opportunity to do just that through the Master of Fine Arts program.
To show how successful many of our students and alumni have been, here
is a sampling of some of the activities they are associated with both locally
and across the country.
- Liz Terrell and Spencer Moses performed in Company at the Starlight Amphitheatre in Balboa Park, San Diego, CA.
- Spencer Moses will be performing in Boy Meets Girl at the 6th @ Penn Theatre in Hillcrest.
- Stephanie Saunders and Aaron Pomeroy recently appeared in CCT's production of Jesus Christ Superstar atop Mt. Helix.
- Greg Thompson and Michael Elliott appeared in 1776 at the Lamb's Players Theatre, Coronado.
- Jody Ashworth appeared in My Fair Lady at the Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, CA.
- Debra Wanger is currently performing in The Sound of Music at The Welk Resort Theater, Escondido, CA.
- Ivan Hernandez performed in The Music of Schwartz, Sondheim & Strouse at the University of Judaism, Los Angeles, CA.
- Andy Fullerton and Roxy Darr appeared in Guys and Dolls at the Hope Repertory Theatre in Michigan.
- Mike Dalager and Emily Mitchell performed in Harris Goldman Industrials, in Anaheim and Vancouver.
- This fall, Beth Smith will be appearing in The Globe Theatre's production of Rough Crossing.
- Carmen Taylor appeared in the national tour of Rent.
- Meredith Kaye Clark will be performing in the national tour of Hair.
CLASS NOTES
Tom Fletcher (Speech Communication, 1995) is the new Corporate
Sales Manager for the Portland Trail Blazers. He relocated to Oregon recently
after spending three years as the Director of Marketing with Special Olympics
in Northern California and Nevada.
John J. McTighe (Public Administration, 1969; MPA 1974) has been
appointed to the position of Director of the Department of General Services
for the County of San Diego. He also teaches part-time in the School of
Public Administration and Urban Studies.
Tim Young (Journalism, 1991) was promoted to Senior Vice President
at general Motors Rworks in Thousand Oaks. Tim manages an office of 20
employees who handle promotions and marketing for General Motors. He has
been with Rworks since its inception in 1999 after leaving the San Diego
Padres where he was the Director of Entertainment.
Jeffrey Kelly (Graphic Design, 1996) is the Art Director for Sony
Pictures Entertainment.
Shannon Hall (Drama, 2002) is the Production Manager for the Stone
Theatre Company in San Diego. The company, founded by PSFA alums Caprice
Woosley and Rebecca Johannsen, is run by PSFA graduates. Wendy Maples is
the Youth Activity Manager, and Rai Genna is a director. The company uses
students who have graduated from SDSU's Theatre Department, or those currently
attending SDSU in all areas of production.
Ron Tillotson (Journalism, 1974) recently completed the first database
for the Megajackpots Division at International Game Technology, the world's
largest manufacturer of gaming devices headquartered in Reno, Nevada. He
is also a correspondent for the Northern Nevada Business Weekly.
Quinton A. Lee (Drama, 1982) resides in Indianapolis, Indiana where
he is the Director of Television for the Saturday Evening Post magazine.
He has recently completed the requirements for the Master of Information
Science degree from Indiana University.
Did you get a promotion? Recently relocated? Have 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. Also, if you are interested
in estate planned giving, please visit our website at www.sdsugift.org.
These sites are secured to protect personal information, including credit
card numbers.