Electronic
Newsletter
Volume II Issue 4
Summer 2004 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 summary of SDSU and PSFA news. For detailed information, please click on the links provided or copy and paste into your web browser.
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Wendy Maruyama's 'Memorial Benches' Unveiled at UCSF
Commissioned by the campus of The University of California, San Francisco, to create a memorial to those who lost their lives in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Professor Wendy Maruyama, head of the Furniture Design Program at SDSU has recently completed work on two sculptured benches she designed and created for the project. The Committee on Art, Honors and Recognition at UCSF were charged with identifying California artists to create the memorial, and Professor Maruyama's proposal was selected from those received.
The
two benches, each a slightly different version of the other, are made of
corten steel with an overlay of brushed stainless steel and cast concrete
on the seating area. The benches were made with the assistance of Paul
Basile Studios in San Diego.
To the left is one of the benches located at Laurel Heights on the UCSF campus.
A leading contemporary studio furniture maker for over 20 years, Wendy Maruyama's work has exhibited widely in galleries and design museums. She was featured recently in the online bulletin 'PostPicasso,' which promotes the visual arts and features works by many contemporary artists. Click here to read the entire interview and view more images of her work.
Photo Zwink Photography and Kevin Lock
Angels in America Production Benefits Local Agencies
The School of Theatre, Television and Film's phenomenal production of
Angels in America drew large crowds to the Don Powell Theatre, and on display
for theatergoers to see was the San Diego portion of the Aids Quilt which
was made in the 1980's.
Following
each curtain call audience members were invited to meet the cast, and asked
to make donations to help with the School's on-going commitment to aids
education.
The money has been given to two local organizations that benefit individuals living with AIDS/HIV, Mamas Kitchen and Being Alive San Diego. Shown here (from left to right) are Jay Sheehan, Production Manager in the School of Theatre, Television and Film, Shannon Wager, Executive Director, Being Alive San Diego, and cast members Chris Buess and Mariko Barajas.
Congratulations to all for a job well done!
Ash Hayes Receives Exemplary Leadership Award
The California Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance recently honored physical education alumnus, Ash Hayes with their Exemplary Leadership Award. Ash has held appointments with U.S. Presidents, and worked with governors, state departments of education, major corporate executives, prominent athletes, entertainers and physical fitness and sports professionals to carry out public and private sector programs. He has administered health, physical education and athletic programs for the San Diego Unified School District and has taught and coached at public schools and universities.
Having written more than 80 manuals, guides and articles on physical fitness and given over 500 presentations throughout the world, Dr. Hayes is now a consultant. We are proud of Ash's achievements and his continued work with SDSU. He served as SDSU Alumni Association President from 1999-2000.
FACULTY IN THE NEWS
Kathryn LaMaster, Exercise and Nutritional Sciences, was a presenter for the 2nd United Arab Emirates Physical Education & Sports Conference: Technology and Sports in February 2004. She conducted a three-day technology conference for over 300 participants in Abu Dhabi, focusing on the use of web pages, powerpoint and personal digital assistants (PDAs) to enhance teaching.
Robert Moore, Exercise and
Nutritional Sciences, served as lead instructor for a seminar on Proprioceptive
Neuromuscular Facilitation at Hyogo College of Medicine in Nishinomyia,
Japan in Spring 2004.
Jan Schultz, Exercise and
Nutritional Sciences, received funding from the Chancellor's Office to
attend the CSU's Teacher Scholar Summer Institute in San Luis Obispo, June
15-18, 2004.
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS
ENS graduate students, Yael Pernick (dual program in Exercise Physiology and Nutrition) and Ryan "Tucker" Readdy (Exercise and Sport Psychology) were among 10 students selected to represent SDSU at the CSU Student Research Competition and Conference at CSU Northridge. 31 graduate and undergraduate students applied to this year's competition.
The Southwestern Emmy Awards sponsored by the San Diego Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) were held on June 19, 2004 at the U.S. Grant Hotel. For many years SDSU students have competed successfully for NATAS awards and this year won four of the six scholarships awarded at the event. Aaron Amerling, Babette Canton, Dawn Poomee, and Madelyn Warner were awarded $2,500 scholarships each, and Joey Castanieto, received a Student Emmy for his short film 'Do You Know Me?" All are students in the School of Theatre, Television and Film.
ALUMNI NEWS
Jennifer Newton Reents (Journalism, 1994) has been named editorial director of Coincide Publishing, which publishes Low Carb Energy, a national print magazine that debuted in May. She is also editorial director of Coincide Media, owners of several parenting web sites including SheKnows.com and PregnancyandBaby.com.
Bennett Peji (Art, 1987) is the master Plan Consultant for Filipino Village in National City, CA. He is the recipient of the Filipino-American Chamber of Commerce's 2004 Outstanding Professional of the Year Award as well as the 2004 Asian Heritage Award for Cultural Preservation. Bennett serves on the national board of directors of the American Institute of Graphic Arts Center for Cross-Cultural Design. He is a founding board member and regent of the Baja California Missions Foundation, founded to renovate and preserve the historic missions in Mexico.
Maureen Furniss (Telecommunications and Film, BS 1983, MA 1987) is teaching in the animation and film departments at Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia, where she lives with her two adopted daughters from Kazakhstan. Her first book was published in 1998, and she is in the process of completing 3 more. Maureen also founded and moderates a 520+ member egroup related to Animation Journal. You can reach her at editor@animationjournal.com
Jocelyn Rohrback-Ovalle (Communication, 2000) has recently accepted a position working for the Boys & Girls Club of Moorpark, CA as Technology Center Director. The new technology center and her position is being funded by a grant sponsored by both Microsoft and The Beaumont Foundation and aims to bridge the digital divide among underserved communities. She continues to run her web design and development business based in Ventura, CA.
Tonju Francois (Journalism, 1986) is Guest Booker and Miami Producer for CNN en Espanol. She also oversees the Miami bureau and field produces when needed. Prior to CNN en Espanol, she worked for CNN Domestic in Atlanta, Georgia.
CLASS NOTES
We love to hear from you. 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. 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.