California State University Stanislaus California State University Stanislaus Cafalllifo | 2008rnia State University Stanislaus The Kickoff Anniversary Issue! AlUMNi TrANSFORMERS California State University Stanislaus A glance at CSU Stanislaus alumni who have transformed and influenced the world around them sustainabiliTy How conserving an ecological balance becomes increasingly STA N important to the Central Valley during a time of accelerated California State University Stanislaus growth and development A Two-yeAr celebratioN beGins, fifty!marking the 1957 founding and 1960 oPeNing of the univerSiTy HArry PAPPAS GeT To kNow bev fiNley Lt. DAN and HiS band Television media executive The CSU Stanislaus alumna Actor Gary Sinise will help Harry J. Pappas awarded looks back on an amazing career kick off the 50th Anniversary honorary doctorate launched by her education Inaugural Gala coNTents DeparTMents featureS 0 3 UNiverSiTy NewS 24 TransforMerS Take a look at some of the new A glance at the dynamic changes developments taking place that cSU Stanislaus alumni have The Master Architect and executive made on the world around them 0 8 AMbassador spoTlight Dean Gerard crowley talk at the Dennis cardoza’s efforts to intro- future home of the new Stanislaus 30 SUSTAiNABILITy duce foster youth to higher ed. State college in Turlock The changing landscape of the central valley calls for 17 Alumni CONNECTION a dramatic new look at our bev finley’s amazing career; cover STory natural resources 50 years of memories; introducing e-Advocacy; and more 1 0 FIFTy YEarS! 28 PHilanthroPy rePorT A two-year celebration begins, Susana Gajic-bruyea joins marking the 1957 founding and cSU Stanislaus; donors boost 1960 opening of the University. nursing program 32 FOCUS oN fAcUlTy Meet Dean fassinger; faculty publications; and faculty notes 36 wArrior HiGHLIGHTS The return of Geoff bradshaw and an update on national track star Joel Stallworth board officers: Susana Gajic-Bruyea directors Carol Bright Tougas Executive Director Bright Development Dr. Hamid Shirvani Bill Ahlem Chairman Ken Whitfield Ahlem Dairy Matthew Bruno, Sr. Treasurer Turlock Dairy and Refrigeration, Inc. Matt Swanson Amin Ashrafzadeh, M.D. President James Brenda Turlock Eye Physicians Dr. Moses Elam Secretary Central Valley Service Area Associated Feed Dorothy Bizzini JKB Homes Kaiser Permanente Pet Extreme, Inc. Bizzini Investment, Inc. fall |2008 1 STAN magazine is published for alumni and friends of CSU Stanislaus by the Office of Communications & Public Affairs in the Division of University Advancement. Comments may be sent to STAN, Public Affairs, One University Circle, Turlock, CA 95382 Phone: 209.667.3131 | Fax: 209.667.3026 E-mail: [email protected] Please send Class Notes, in Memoriam information, and address changes to California State University, Stanislaus, Attn: Alumni Affairs, One University Circle, Turlock, CA 95382 President Hamid Shirvani, Ph.D. vice President for University Advancement Susana Gajic-Bruyea Assistant vice President for communications & Public Affairs Kristin Olsen Magazine Contributors : editor Kristin Olsen Art Director Eric Arvizu contributing writers Tommi Lou Carosella Mark Rivera Don Hansen Dr. Pamela Roe California State University Stanislaus Jacob McDougal Herb Smart Nahrin Mirzazadeh Yu-Tzu Tsai Kristin Olsen Leola Washington Graphic Design Tammy White Eric Arvizu Photography Cary Edmondson Alumni representatives to the editorial board Dale Butler Ron Reid Eileen Hamilton California State University Stanislaus California State University Stanislaus California State University Stanislaus Bob Endsley Dianne Gagos Jane Vilas directors emeritus Coldwell Banker Endsley & Assoc. Philanthropist Philanthropist Ernie Gemperle Ed Fitzpatrick Steve Gemperle Paula Zagaris Leffler California GemperleState U Enterprisesniversity Stanislaus Valley Lexus Gemperle Enterprises Liberty Property Management Patty Griffin Ron Foster Robert Triebsch Jane Bruner Philanthropist Foster Farms Triebsch, Frampton, Dorius & Lima Faculty Representative Andrew Janz Student Representative 2 STA N A worD wiTH PreSiDent SHIRVANi Welcome to our redesigned alumni magazine for California State who are making an impact as a result of the education they received University, Stanislaus. I am confident that you will be pleased at CSU Stanislaus or the support they give to the University. with the updated look and easy-to-read content. Our goal is to Throughout the year, we will be making a stronger push to reach make the magazine interesting and relevant to our readers—the out to you as our ambassadors in the community. From visiting alumni, friends, and supporters of CSU Stanislaus. As always, we enjoy campus to promoting CSU Stanislaus among community groups hearing from you and want your feedback. So please let us know what and the media, from participating in our government advocacy you like—or don’t like—about our new “STAN” magazine. efforts to supporting scholarships and student recruitment, we This is an exciting issue for us as we kick off the celebration of our rely on you — our grassroots ambassadors — to help us advance 50th anniversary, which has begun with a commemorative Web the mission and goals of California State University, Stanislaus. site at www.csustan.edu/50th and will culminate in Fall 2010 With a new Alumni Director (who you’ll meet on page 18) and a with an elegant and spirited University Gala. In between, there solid University Advancement team in place, we look forward to will be historical articles, concerts, receptions, galas, alumni re-introducing CSU Stanislaus and our alumni programs to you. activities, and more to commemorate the University’s 50 years of service and academic excellence. Regards, Enjoy reading the magazine, which highlights memories and milestones from the past 50 years and tells about alumni and others Hamid Shirvani, Ph.D. UNIVERSiTy NEWS fall |2008 3 Pappas AwArDeD HoNorAry DocTorate Harry J. Pappas, the Modesto native and son of Greek immigrants who has success- fully developed an array of television and radio stations all over the country, was awarded an Honorary Degree of the Doc- tor of Humane Letters at the May 31 CSU Stanislaus commencement ceremony. President Hamid Shirvani and CSU Trustee Carol Chandler career, credited his parents who came from humble beginnings presented the doctorate to Pappas, Chairman and Chief with instilling in him determination and the value of perseverance, Executive Officer of Pappas Telecasting Companies, the largest hard work, and education. privately held commercial television group in the United States. “This great honor will encourage me to continue to persevere,” President Shirvani praised Pappas for his dedication to family, Pappas said. “I very humbly accept this honor. It’s important for business, and philanthropy. you graduates to seek the truth, great ideas, and always to keep “California State University, Stanislaus is proud to publicly your hopes alive.” Pappas urged students to count themselves recognize the exceptional talents and contributions of Harry among those who are givers in life. Pappas,” President Shirvani said. “He has been at the forefront of “For in so doing, you’ll be achieving the greatest riches of all; that media networks for many good name in man, in woman years and his business ingenu- is the immediate jewel of their ity and insights have earned soul,” he said. him a reputation that places him in the highest echelon of Pappas, who was a keynote industry leaders.” speaker for the 2007 Com- mencement, has expanded his Pappas has been the recipient of company over the years to numerous awards and honors, include 31 stations that he including induction into Broad- either owns or operates. casting & Cable’s Hall of Fame, Pappas stations serve more the highest honor in the than 16 percent of all U.S. industry. He and his wife, television households and Stella, have established two reach nearly 40 percent of the foundations to help the Greek country’s Hispanic households. Orthodox Church, and they His company’s most recent support a number of civic venture is CommunityCorre- organizations and causes. President Hamid Shirvani and CSU Trustee Carol Chandler spondent.com, the first Web Harry Pappas, who dropped presented the doctorate to Pappas, Chairman and Chief site of its kind for viewing on out of college to join his family Executive Officer of Pappas Telecasting Companies. the Internet as well as for in establishing a radio station at inclusion on TV newscasts. the start of his distinguished Young Harry got his first taste Pappas has served on the boards of the following broadcast It was his family’s broadcast of entrepreneurship running a industry organizations: Fox Network Board of Governors, achievements that led Pappas soft drink concession stand at National Association of Broadcasters, Independent Television to enter the profession. ballroom dances. Stations of America, and the Television Bureau of Advertising. 4 STA N UNIVERSiTy NEWS PlANNiNG wiTH PUrPoSe In the heart of the Central Valley, California State University, Stanislaus maintains its park-like setting in its update to the Campus Master Plan. A major library expansion project, renova- to preserve a green, park-like campus tion of the original science building into environment with ample open space is a a classroom facility, the addition of a key component of the plan. 1,200-seat auditorium in the College of the Projections estimate that the campus will Arts complex, and another residence hall