Bell Tower at Hepner Hall
Electronic Newsletter
Volume 1 Issue 17
Nov/Dec 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.
MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN
As the year draws to a close and we begin to recover from the devastation
of the recent wildfires, our thoughts are with all faculty, staff and students
of the SDSU community who suffered losses. Please know that we share in
your grief, and look forward to brighter days ahead for each of you.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our alumni and friends for their continued support of PSFA, please continue to keep in touch and let us know how you are doing. My appreciation also goes to the faculty and staff of the College for their continued commitment and dedicated service.
I extend my very best wishes to you all for a safe and joyous holiday season.
Save The Date
SDSU Month Returns in March 2004 with an open house for the entire family
SDSU Month, which was a phenomenal success last March in generating region-wide
awareness and excitement about the university, will return in March 2004.
Next Spring's celebration is expected to be bigger and better than the
inaugural event.
More details about SDSU Month 2004 will be announced in the coming months.
You may register to receive e-mail updates on SDSU Month benefits, events,
and news at www.sdsumonth.com.
FACULTY GIVES BACK
In 2001 Ron Josephson ended his stellar career as professor of exercise and nutritional sciences at SDSU after giving 28 years of service to the university. Because of his association with the Student Nutrition Organization (SNO) as student advisor, he learned that student organizations struggled each year because they receive very limited budgetary support.
That is what inspired Dr. Josephson, and his wife Judith's gift to the
Exercise and Nutritional Sciences Department. Always flattered when called "Dr.
J." by his students, a nickname they gave him over the years, that
nickname has now evolved into the
"Dr. J's Student Club Fund." "Clubs and organizations are
the only place students get together where it is non-competitive,"
said Josephson. "They help to foster student networking and relationships,
and enhance career goals." The Josephson's wanted to set up a legacy
that would provide continuous funding for ENS clubs and organizations so
their pledge was used to establish the endowment fund.
 |
| The Josephson's with daughters Kirsten (left) and Erika (right) both SDSU alums |
Ron's retirement has provided the couple time to do some traveling. However, Judy continues to write children's books, and teach writing workshops in the College of Extended Studies. She has received a San Diego Book Award for the best in "Juvenile History" category for "Growing Up In World War II." Earlier this year the Josephson's took their first Elderhostel trip to Australia and New Zealand.
Ikabana, a Michael Todd sculpture, located on the green in front of the Communications building was a gift to SDSU from Barbara Walbridge who is shown here with John Gordon, director of the School of Art, Design and Art History. The 1974 sculpture recently underwent a refurbishing by staff in Physical Plant.
ALUMNI PROFILE
John D'Agostino
A
year after graduating from SDSU, John D'Agostino owned Jupiter Records,
and became the Music Editor for the San Diego Reader. He then
went on to become the contemporary music columnist for the local edition
of the Los Angeles Times.
After returning to San Diego he became Vice President, Public Relations
for Taylor Guitars. Over the years, D'Agostino created the company's acclaimed
quarterly publication, Wood&Steel, developed much of the content
of Taylor's industry-leading website, and launched the company's award-winning
guitar workshop program. In 2000, he created Taylor Guitars for Schools,
a program that, in conjunction with the San Diego Music Awards Foundation,
has donated more than 500 Baby Taylor guitars to San Diego-area elementary-school
music courses.
Also, in 2000, D'Agostino was able to combine two of his favorite subjects,
music and history, in an unusual project. After Hurricane Floyd destroyed
the last surviving Liberty Tree in 1999, the tree was cut down with great
fanfare and ceremony, and the wood hauled away to landfills. Taylor Guitars
was able to purchase 30,000 pounds of wood salvaged from that tree, and
D'Agostino subsequently researched, scripted, and directed an hour-long
documentary about the Liberty Trees, and the making of 400 commemorative
guitars. The documentary earned him an Emmy Nomination and went on to win
many awards, and entry into the Museum of Broadcast Communications' Documentary
Archives Collection in Chicago, one of the largest archives in the United
States featuring the work of television's finest documentaries.
During his extensive career D'Agostino has written for comedians such
as Joan Rivers and Red Buttons, and has had his comedy material performed
on The Tonight Show, The Merv Griffin Show, The Late Show
starring Joan Rivers, The Bob Hope Birthday Special, at Friars
Club Roasts, and on Frank Sinatra's concert tour.
D'Agostino received his Bachelor's degree in English, with a minor in Music from SDSU in 1973.
FACULTY IN THE NEWS
Professors Thom McKenzie and Kathy
LaMaster, exercise and nutritional sciences, will serve
as Co-Investigators and evaluators for a federal grant awarded to Mary
Blackman from the County office of Education (Physical Education in
Progress, PEP) to improve the quality of physical education in San
Diego County Schools. The PEP grants are awarded by the U.S. Department
of Education for collaboration between public schools and universities.
Carl Winston, director
of the Hospitality & Tourism Management program has been named to the
NRA's Teacher Certification Task Force. Their goal is to certify High School
Teachers in teaching restaurant and culinary management.
Larry Verity, professor
of exercise and nutritional sciences, presented a session at the Taking
Control of Your Diabetes meeting on Saturday, November 22, 2003 at the
San Diego Convention Center.
David Ward-Steinman, professor emeritus in the School of Music and Dance, received the San Diego Youth Symphony Profiles in Music Education Award on November 9 at the "Celebration of Music Education Concert," held at Copley Symphony Hall.. The award is given to an outstanding music educator from the San Diego area.
Peter Aufsesser, professor
of exercise and nutritional sciences, has been named Chair of the Adapted
Aquatics Award Committee for the National Swimming Hall of Fame, Ft. Lauderdale,
Florida. He also served as Program Chair for the 32nd National Physical
Activity for Exceptional Individuals Conference held at the West Hotel,
Horton Plaza in San Diego, November 20-22, 2003.
Through her work with the Faculty-Student Mentoring Program, Randi
Mckenzie, lecturer in exercise and nutritional sciences,
was recognized with the Best Retention Practices Award given by the
SDSU Associated Students.
Martha Lauzen's latest research, which analyzed the role of women in the 2002-3 prime-time television season, appeared in a recent New York Times article "Networking on TV: A Feminine Touch." Professor Lauzen teaches in the School of Communication.
PSFA STUDENTS ON THE MOVE
STUDENT NUTRITION ORGANIZATION LENDS A
HAND
Several members of the SDSU Student Nutrition Organization took time from their schedule to provide support at the recent MS Charity Auction held at the Loews Resort in Coronado. "This is one of the many valuable community projects that students volunteer for," said Donna Beshgetoor, faculty advisor to the organization. Shown here are some of the SNO volunteers who were in attendance
PUBLIC RELATIONS STUDENT ORGANIZATION HONORED NATIONALLY
Athena Bumanglag, Brianne Lunzman
and Lorena Nava display the awards won
The Public Relations Student Society of America chapter (PRSSA) won the Dr. F.H. Teahan Chapter Award for Outstanding Regional Activity at the PRSSA National Conference in New Orleans, La., on October 27, 2003. The award was given for their efforts in planning and hosting a mini-conference in April. The two-day event, "Crisis and Communication: The Lifeboat to your Sinking Ship," focused on a crisis communication case study of the San Diego Red Cross. Lorena Nava, treasurer for PRSSA, also took home the Lawrence G. Foster scholarship award which honors an undergraduate student who has potential for excellence as a future public relations professional. For more information, please visit their website at www.rohan.sdsu.edu/~prssa.
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.