PSFA E-CONNECT - May 2008

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.

MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN

Commencement is upon us once again. This year, approximately 10,224 students are eligible to participate in Commencement 2008 at San Diego State University. The College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts (PSFA) will present the most candidates for graduation with 2,471 students. This large number demonstrates the College’s growth over the past decade – in 1998, PSFA graduated only 1,298 students – we have almost doubled in size in only a decade!

This year PSFA is honored to present Darlene Shiley with an honorary doctorate. Darlene is a great friend of SDSU and the arts in San Diego. We look forward to welcoming her into our family.

Congratulations to all of our graduates!

Joyce M. Gattas, Dean
College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts

IN THE NEWS

Darlene Shiley to Receive Honorary Doctorate from PSFA

Darlene V. Shiley will receive an honorary doctorate from the College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts at the 2008 Commencement ceremony on May 24, 2008.

Darlene is an honors graduate of the California State University system, holding a degree in Theatre Arts from San Jose State University. As an ardent arts patron, Darlene served on the City of San Diego's founding Commission for Arts and Culture, The Board of the Old Globe, New York-based National Corporate Theatre Fund, and the KPBS Community Advisory Board. The Shiley Theatre at USD is named in honor of her and her husband Donald, a pioneer in the medical device field. Darlene is also committed to education with a presence in the major Universities in San Diego and beyond. She and Donald have made significant leadership gifts to the University of San Diego, UCSD, San Diego State, and the University of Portland. Darlene is the current Chair of the Board of USD, only the second woman to hold that position.

New Center for Study of Women in Television and Film Announced

The School of Theatre, Television, and Film at San Diego State University will open a Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film under the direction of Dr. Martha Lauzen. The Center will work to publicize the gender inequities that exist within today’s entertainment industry and features an Advisory Boards of industry experts, including actress-scribe Nia Vardalos, thesp Kathy Najimy and helmer-scribe Robin Swicord. Dr. Lauzen has completed extensive research on this issue, including the highly regarded "Celluloid Ceiling" and "Boxed In."

Kiwanis Concert Raised Record Amount for Music and Dance Scholarships

The Kiwanis Club of Downtown San Diego presented the SDSU Symphony Orchestra at the Balboa Park Organ Pavilion on Saturday April 26 at 4pm. This annual concert is free to the public; all revenues are raised via advertising sales, donations, and a silent auction. This year the concert raised a record-breaking $25,000 to support scholarships for Music and Dance majors at SDSU.

ALUMNI HIGHLIGHTS

Sally Nogle (BS ’79, MS ’83, kinesiology) Honored with Robert J. Moore Distinguished Alumnus Award

In April 2008, Sally Nogle was honored with the San Diego State University Athletic Trainer’s Alumni Association Robert J. Moore Distinguished Alumnus Award. She has served as a member of the Michigan State Athletic Training staff and associate head athletic trainer working with the Spartan Football team. In addition to her studies at SDSU, Sally earned her Ph.D. from MSU in 2001. Her research focuses on the mastery of the NATA's competencies and clinical proficiencies program.

Susana Rivera Torres (BS ’07, communication) Forecasts Her Future

Susana is a recent graduate who has already launched her television career as the weekend meteorologist for Univision. Susana recently landed the cover of a local magazine, Gente Bien.

"I aspire to one day be a television host where I can be myself and lead by example," she tells Gente Bien.

Ever since she was a little girl she enjoyed being in front of an audience whether it was dancing or singing with her family.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

PSFA to Honor Outstanding Graduates at Commencement

Each year, among the many accomplished students at SDSU, a few rise to the top as students whose collegiate career has been truly outstanding because of academic and/or personal achievement. This year, PSFA will award Alicia Arguilla from the School of Music and Dance and Jamie Lee Roscoe from the School of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences with the 2008 Outstanding Student Awards.

These two individuals were selected from a pool of talented nominees from each School within PSFA. The other nominees were: Travis Daudert, School of Music and Dance; Trait Beauregarde Tres, School of Journalism and Media Studies; Kimberly Lynn Hansen and Daniel Joseph Canepa, School of Theatre, Television and Film; Kyle Allen Florence, School of Art, Design and Art History; Jacqueline Gracia Lopez, School of Communication; Marc Alan Shearer, School of Exercise Nutritional Sciences; Ashley Ann Maddux and Leah Shader, School of Hospitality and Tourism Management; Quinn Dionne Stoll and Krystle Buack Murillo, School of Public Affairs.

FACULTY TO WATCH

Dr. Beeb Salzer will retire from the School of Television, Theatre and Film where he taught scenery design and aesthetics. He is responsible for the innovative and acclaimed annual Design/Peformance Jury which each year brings six renowned theatre professionals, such as Edward Albee, Ming Cho Lee and Jack O'Brien, to campus to critique student work.

Dr. Terry O’Donnell will retire from the School of Music and Dance where he taught conducting and music history. Since 1962—excepting a short period in the late-1960’s – Terry has also served as carillonneur for the Fletcher Carillon installation in Hardy Tower, which he will continue during retirement.

Dr. Jim Gazell will retire from the School of Public Affairs where he taught public administration courses. Dr. Gazell has focused his career research and teachings on judicial administration, research methods, general public administration, and organization and administrative theory.

Dr. Janet Cooling will retire from the School of Art, Design and Art History where she teaches drawing, painting and studio art. Dr. Cooling is considered a significant contemporary American painter who has exhibited in New York, Chicago, and in galleries throughout California.

We thank you for your years of dedicated service to SDSU.