PSFA E-CONNECT - August 2008

MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN

It’s hard to believe that another summer has gone by and that we are preparing to welcome a new group of students to campus! I believe that these new students who choose to major in one of PSFA’s disciplines are particularly fortunate because of our focus on the community. As I looked through this issue of E-Connect, examples of this focus are in every story – from Dr. Dozier’s service-learning class to the many examples of our students sharing their work with the world. In our College, we are all about taking our education outside of the four walls of a classroom, and we are fortunate that the community; including people like you, are enthusiastic supporters of our efforts. As we approach another school year, I wanted to take a moment and thank you for your continued support of our endeavors to make the world our classroom!

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

IN THE NEWS

Urban Trees Public Art Program to feature SDSU Student Work

The Port of San Diego has selected a design by art students Sara Beam, Justean Giger, Audrey Kenyon, Bianca Saad, and Gaby Salas to become a part of the Urban Trees Public Art Program. The work, entitled, “It’s A Sign,” will be one of 31 trees on display along the North Embarcadero of San Diego Bay from Broadway to Laurel Street. The exhibition lasts for one year. It’s A Sign is a 17-foot tall sculpture comprised of four hands that spell T-R-E-E in sign language. Each hand is water jet cut from 3/8” thick plate steel. The sculpture is a metaphor for under-represented cultures and is meant to serve as a reminder that although we are all different everyone should be afforded the same opportunities.

VP Carleton and Husband Pledge Funds for School of Journalism and Media Studies

SDSU Vice President of University Relations and Development Mary Ruth Carleton and her husband, Bruce Hunt, have pledged $100,000 to establish the Carleton-Hunt Endowed Internship Fund in the School of Journalism & Media Studies. Vice President Carleton received her master’s degree in journalism at UC Berkeley and was a television reporter and anchor for nearly 20 years. The endowment gift will support upper division student internships in the journalism field.

ALUMNI HIGHLIGHTS

Calling all Public Administration, Criminal Justice and City Planning Alumni

San Diego State University’s School of Public Affairs is pleased to announce to its many alumni that this year we are celebrating 60 years of service to the region. This is an opportunity to highlight the numerous contributions the School of Public Affairs has made to County and local city government. The event is free to any School of Public Affairs alumni.

Monday, September 22, 2008
5:30 – 7:30 pm
Program at 6:30
San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina
333 West Harbor Drive
RSVP topsfa.reservations@sdsu.edu

FACULTY TO WATCH

Dr. Dave Dozier Honored with 2008-09 Award for Outstanding Faculty Contributions

Dave Dozier has spent his 28 years of service at San Diego State University working tirelessly on behalf of students while remaining an active contributor to the field of communication and public relations. For his service, he has been selected as a recipient of the 2008-09 Award for Outstanding Faculty Contributions to the University. Dave will receive the award, commonly known as the “Monty,” at the University Convocation on September 9, 2008.

Dave is a highly respected professor who regularly receives high evaluations from his students and was the founding Graduate Director of the School of Communication (1995-98). Dave has incorporated a service learning component into his public relations research methods class, providing students with real-world public relations experience as well as a valuable service to local government and nonprofit agencies. Dave is the author or co-author of over 50 books, book chapters, articles, and scholarly papers and earned his Ph.D. in communication research from Stanford University in 1978. Before joining the SDSU faculty in 1980 as an assistant professor of journalism he worked as a reporter and photographer for the Lassen Advocate in Susanville, California and served as a public information officer for the nonprofit West Side Planning Group in Fresno.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Trio Amical Tours Philippines
Trio Amical, consisting of Marian Liebowitz, professor of clarinet in the School of Music and Dance, and SDSU artist diploma candidates Lois Kim (piano) and Victoria Robertson (vocal performance) recently performed in the Philippines during a U.S. Embassy-sponsored tour. Trio Amical performed public concerts in a variety of venues, including: the U.S. Embassy Chancery Building; SM Mall of Asia, the largest shopping mall in the Philippines; Cebu City and Mandaluyong City. They also conducted master classes in Cebu City and at the University of Santo Tomas Conservatory of Music.

Television, Theatre and Film Students Win Emmy
“Three of a Kind,” a sitcom pilot produced by San Diego State University students Iris Caffin and Bonni Rooney, received the Outstanding Achievement for a Student Production Award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Pacific Southwest Chapter. The award was announced at the academy’s 34th Annual Pacific Southwest Emmy Awards ceremony at the La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, Calif. This is the first Emmy win for the SDSU Television, Theatre and Film Department for a live-to-tape multicamera television project.