PSFA Building
E-Connect
Special Edition
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 special edition. For detailed information, please click on the links provided or copy and paste into your web browser.
Reflections on Commencement 2004
Commencement 2004 is behind us, but we would like to share some words from the ceremony with you. The following excerpts are taken from the speeches of Dr. Peter Aufsesser, Exercise and Nutritional Sciences, who gave the Faculty Address, and Chris Garcia (Kinesiology, Pre-Physical Therapy, 2004) who was PSFA's Outstanding Graduating Senior.
"In
life there's lots of clichés and sayings.... Clichés give
us insight and hopefully foresight. So here's some advice.... Number one;
learning is a life long process. Today your education stops formally for
many of you, as Dr. Kennedy said she didn't think of those twenty years
of work as education, but you have to keep learning otherwise you become
a dinosaur and extinct. Number two; be the best you can be at whatever
field and endeavor you go into. Give it a hundred percent, we all have
bad days but learn from your mistakes. Always look to improve. Number three;
try to change only those things in life that are under your control. It's
a critical skill. ... Number four; contribute to society, it may be only
with your kindness and the way you treat people, it may be volunteering
time to a charity or group that you want to help, or if fiscally or financially
you're in good shape then by donating money. Number five; respect yourself
by respecting others. Treat people the way you would like to be treated."
"We
all have our own stories about challenges we have faced, whether it be
in academics, sports or relationships. The way we deal with these obstacles
is what is important. Through my experience, I have learned that instead
of seeing obstacles and challenges in my life as a deficit, I have embraced
them because they help to form who we are and give us the strength to continue
working hard...I chose not to see my situation as a deficit but rather
a motivation to improve my life. Through my own perseverance and determination,
I have been able to direct myself on a successful path. However, I have
not been alone in leading this journey, San Diego State has provided an
environment conducive to my situation.... The faculty are what made college
enjoyable. Working with professors who feel passionate about their job
and want students to learn, motivated me to study beyond what the class
required. The faculty and staff have inspired me to progress in a manner
I never thought possible."