"The College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts prides itself on the creativity, involvement, leadership, and scholarship of its students. We hope you will enjoy reading about the talented individuals who make PSFA their home at San Diego State."
- Joyce M. Gattas, Dean
Student Research Symposium
San Diego State University's first Student Research Symposium (SRS) was held on Friday, February 29 and Saturday, March 1, 2008. The two day event highlighted the achievements of students in research, scholarship and creative activity. Four PSFA students distinguished themselves as recipients.
Presidential Award Winners
(From left to right) Joan Hurwit, Lilyana Bekic, Jennifer Malkowski, not pictured Jeanette Kangas.
- Lilyana Bekic -
Graduate Student, School of Art, Design, and Art History. "Desire" - Joan Hurwit - Undergraduate, School of Theatre Television and Film.
"Medea: Mind Games and Manipulation"
Presidential award winners will represent SDSU at the annual California State University Competition in May.
Dean's Awards
- Jeanette Kangas - Graduate Student, School of Music and Dance. "The Innovations of Max Roach through Analysis and Comparative Study."
- Jennifer Malkowski - Graduate Student, School of Communication. "Sexually Transmitted Identities: Identification as an Online Rhetorical coping Strategy."
For a complete list of symposium participants click here.
Quest for the Best
Two outstanding young men from PSFA, join eight others in their inclusion in this year’s Quest for the Best Awards. The "Quest for the Best Award" honors outstanding student leaders who have typified and promoted the broader mission of the university through development of leadership skills and community service.
Jameson DeSantis, Television, Film and New Media undergraduate and former College Council President has been included for his Aztec spirit, leadership contribution, involvement with his fraternity (Lambda Chi Alpha) and as the Associated Students Executive Vice President.
Daniel Matthews, Hospitality and Tourism Management undergraduate is a current PSFA Representative on Associated Students. Daniel is highly involved on the College Council and in AS activities, has been an officer in several clubs and organizations and has volunteered his time extensively in the Asian community.
We commend these fine young men for their contributions to the campus and community.
Contact Information
College of Professional Studies
and Fine Arts
San Diego State University
5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA 92182-4512
Phone: (619) 594-5124
Fax: (619) 594-6974
Web address: http://psfa.sdsu.edu
Department News
School of Hospitality and Tourism Management
Students from the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management were awarded several scholarships this past year. Included in the awards were:
Whitney Johnson won a scholarship from the Association for Convention Operations Management.
Dominique Redmond won a scholarship to attend The National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners.
Fatema Qassimyar won a $1,500 scholarship at the National Society of Minorities and Hospitality conference in Pittsburg. The NSMH is an organization which promotes diversity in the hospitality industry.
Edmond Tso, and Kasey Shigenaka, students who work at the Hyatt Hotel, won an all expense paid trip to New York City to attend the NYC Hotel Show.
School of Theatre, Television and Film
Alex Farnsley and Kevin King are two award-winning graduate students in Television and Film. Alex and Kevin have an upcoming screening of one of their documentaries, “Shadow Children: Five Stories from the Street,” on Apr. 20 at 2 p.m. in the San Diego Central Library, 820 E Street.
Sean Fanning and Kelly Convery, School of TTF received a 2007 Patte Award for Excellence in Scenic Design and Costume Design, respectively for their work on Zombie Prom. Both students will be receiving their MFA this spring.
Craig Yahata, TTF graduate, has made a feature documentary, “Citizen Tanouye” that has done well on the festival circuit and will air on most PBS stations in May.
School of Music and Dance
Victoria Robertson, (Artist Diploma) mezzo soprano, recently won first prize in the vocal category of the La Jolla Symphony and Chorus Young Artists Competition.
Matthew Herriman (Vocal Performance) - was named the most promising vocalist at the La Jolla Symphony and Chorus Young Artists Competition.
The School of Music and Dance’s Cecilia String Quartet has been invited to the semi-finals of the Osaka String Quartet Competition in Japan.
School of Journalism and Media Studies
Mike Kafka and Robert Jackson, master’s students in the Public Affairs Officer program presented their research at the International Public Relations Research conference.
Journalism senior William Bans wrote an article that was published in the Feb. 20, 2008, edition of The New York Times titled, "Minutemen Fight Change in Highway Cleanup Site." In addition, last year he participated in the inaugural program of The New York Times Student Journalism Institute. The institute is a competitive, hands-on journalism residency program offered to aspiring reporters, editors, and photographers who are members of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ). At the time, Bans was serving as the managing editor of The Daily Aztec and was one of only 20 students, representing 15 colleges and universities from around the country, who had been selected for the program.
School of Communication & School of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences
Ervin Hernandez, kinesiology and communication double major presented a peer-reviewed essay at the Western States Communication Association's (WSCA) Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference (USRC). Ervin is also the SDSU student action alliance coalition president and sports coordinator for the Asian pacific student alliance at SDSU.