INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Professional and Personal ...... 3 Stahl Elected Physical The Emeritimes Society Fellow ...... 3 Publication of The Emeriti Association California State University, Los Angeles 2004 Pape Memorial Lecture: Volume XXV, Number 2 Winter 2004 “Can Nuclear Weapons Proliferation Be Stopped?” ...... 3 Health Briefs Ð High Cholesterol: EMERITI BEGIN NEXT QUARTER CENTURY A Major Risk Factor in Following an exciting year featuring an arts the Fine Arts building’s gallery, conveniently Cardiovascular Disease ...... 4 festival in observance of its 25th anniversary, close to Lecture Hall 2. Campus News ...... 4 the Emeriti Association returned to its estab- A chronology of the developmental Profile Ð Don Mortensen: lished routine with its annual visit to the Aca- events leading to the organization’s found- Savoring 90 ...... 5 demic Senate on Tuesday, ing has been written by Sidney February 10. Each year, the P. Albert, emeritus professor Door of Retirement Revolves second Tuesday in February of philosophy, whose vision, for Some ...... 6 marks the anniversary of the commitment, and persistence Chancellor Reed Tells of organization’s debut, as an- led not only to the campus as- Deep Cuts Ahead for CSU...... 8 nounced at the Senate on sociation but, further, to the February 9, 1978. systemwide association, CSU In Memoriam ...... 9 At the Senate visit, all Emeritus and Retired Faculty emeriti attending were ac- Association (CSU-ERFA). This knowledged individually document is kept in the emeriti and the association was honored collectively. archives; copies may be borrowed on request President’s Message Immediately after the Senate’s adjournment to the Association’s historian and archivist, that afternoon, the festivities continued at the Leon Schwartz. I can hardly believe that Association’s traditional reception, held in we are already into the new year. As I think about all of the activities of the past Fellowships Presented at Fall Luncheon 12 months, I realize that the Executive Committee is indeed a hard-working group and I applaud them for it. As an organization, we joyously celebrated our 25th anniversary and have already initiated plans to help the group move into the next quarter century. We awarded seven scholarships to Cal State L.A. students, who voiced great thanks and appreciation. We shared time and talents See PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE, Page 2
Outstanding Professors Announced at Fall Faculty Day The 2002-2003 Outstanding Professors were named at the University’s Fall Faculty Day on September 22. Those honored were Daphne Der-Fen Liu, professor of mathemat- ics; Sunil K. Sapra, professor of economics Front row, (l. to r.) Emeriti Association president Barbara Sinclair; fellowship winners Michael Porco, Jamie and statistics; Majdedin Mirmirani, profes- Mann, Viktoria Byckiewicz; and Fellowship fund chair Janet Fisher-Hoult. Back row (l. to r.), fellowship sor of mechanical engineering; and Penelope recipients Caroline Hannsen, Julie King, Percy Ortiz, and José Silva. Semrau, professor of education. These awards are made primarily for excellence in teach- the President’s Distinguished Professor Daphne Liu, a Cal State L.A. faculty ing, but significant achievements are expected Award, which recognizes superlative teach- member since 1991, has taught 23 different in scholarly inquiry or creativity, professional ing and exceptional commitment to students, subjects ranging from general education activities, and service to the campus and com- as well as professional accomplishments and through graduate courses, and has supervised munity. services. Only those professors who have pre- more than a dozen graduate and undergradu- Judith Hamera, professor of speech com- viously been selected as Outstanding Profes- ate students in direct study courses. She has munication, was selected as the recipient of sors are eligible for this award. See OUTSTANDING PROFESSORS, Page 7 President’s Message (Continued from Page 1) The Emeritimes with each other at a number of interesting, cre- an interdisciplinary science facility. We hope ative (and gastronomically tasty) functions. We that financial problems will not interfere with continued to participate in the Emeritus and critical efforts currently under way or planned ELLEN R. STEIN, Editor Retired Faculty Association of the CSU. We in the near future. DENNIS KIMURA, Graphic Designer advocated for the well-being of our retired fac- Oh yes, some kudos is in order. On behalf of ulty, and have honored and supported our col- the Emeriti Association, I offer congratulations EDITORIAL BOARD leagues whenever possible. to James Rosser, who celebrates his 25th year as DONALD O. DEWEY, MARY GORMLY, Although the emeriti have moved forward president of California State University, Los JOAN D. JOHNSON, KENNETH PHILLIPS, in a positive manner, the University as a whole Angeles. I’m sure that all of us are aware of the VILMA POTTER, LEON SCHWARTZ, FRIEDA A. STAHL (Chair) has not fared as well, primarily due to budget- many advances made under Jim’s guidance. ary constraints. Some centers and programs There are lots of activities planned for 2004; Address copy to: have been closed, classes are harder for stu- I hope you will join us whenever possible. I would Ellen Stein, Editor, The Emeritimes dents to obtain, selected staff positions have greatly appreciate hearing from you about your Research and Sponsored Programs been eliminated, and support services have ideas or concerns—or maybe just to say hello. California State University, Los Angeles 5151 State University Drive been reduced. The problems are likely to con- Los Angeles, CA 90032-8253 tinue as the fiscal situation becomes even more Phone: (323) 343-3798 difficult. When looking at the status of Fax: (323) 343-6430 California’s finances, it seems inevitable that Email: [email protected] the budget for higher education will be cut rather severely. Although exact decreases are EMERITI ASSOCIATION not yet known, various options needed to meet Help Us Maintain Our Directory! EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE the potential crisis are being considered by the The Emeriti Association’s annual di- BARBARA P. SINCLAIR, President Chancellor’s Office, the Statewide Academic rectory of all Cal State L.A emeriti, not DONALD O. DEWEY, Senate, and individual state universities. We just members, is enclosed with this issue Immediate Past President will try to keep you informed as more infor- of The Emeritimes. It is as accurate as the LOUIS NEGRETE, mation becomes available. officers responsible for its data could make Vice President, Administration Even with its fiscal woes, all is not lost. Cal it. Please make sure that we have you down CLEMENT PADICK, State L.A. continues to exemplify the high qual- correctly. If we don’t, please update both Vice President, Programs ity that all of us expect. It is outstanding in di- your snail mail and email addresses and ROBERT A. MILLER, Treasurer versity and inclusivity among its faculty, student your phone number. While you’re doing KENNETH WAGNER, Secretary population, and programs. Faculty members so, tell us the latest about what you’ve been MARILYN FRIEDMAN, consistently achieve top honors and awards in doing, for a total update. Of course, even if Corresponding Secretary their respective professions. Students perform you find yourself listed properly in all cat- KAREN JOHNSON, Membership Secretary well in local, national, and international com- egories, bring us up to date about your LEON SCHWARTZ, Historian/Archivist petitions. Our graduates are highly sought after events and activities. The “Personal and DONALD O. DEWEY, for hiring purposes. New campus facilities in Professional” column appears in each is- Academic Senate Representative process include the Los Angeles Regional Crime sue for such news. JOSEPH CASANOVA, Fiscal Affairs Chair Laboratory, the Luckman Intimate Theatre, and HAROLD COHEN, Database Coordinator DEMETRIUS J. MARGAZIOTIS, Webmaster Emeriti Association Gains 10 Members JANET C. FISHER-HOULT, These recently appointed emeriti have joined the Emeriti Association: Fellowship Fund Chair LEONARD G. MATHY, KENNETH L. ANDERSON RAMACHANDRA MANVI CSU Academic Senate Liaison (Annual Member) (Annual Member) MARY GORMLY, LEON SCHWARTZ, BARBARA P. SINCLAIR, BEVERLY BIGLER DEMETRIUS J. MARGAZIOTIS CSU-ERFA Representatives (Annual Member) (Contributing Life Member) EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBERS (see above) LINDA FAHEY DONALD R. PAULSON LAIRD ALLISON, PETER BRIER, (Life Member) (Annual Member) DONALD BURRILL, JACKIE LOU HOYT, DONALD A. MOORE, CAROL J. SMALLENBURG ROSEMARY HAKE JEANNETTE RENNER Members-at-Large (Life Member) (Supporting Annual Member)
For information about the Emeriti JUDITH LONG SEVERANCE ELIZABETH VIAU Association, please call at (323) 343-5970. (Annual Member) (Annual Member)
We welcome them and look forward to their participation in Association activities.
2 Stahl Elected Physical Society Fellow Professional By Demetrius J. Margaziotis and Personal Frieda A. Stahl, emerita professor of physics tions to the history of ideas in physics, history of and member of the executive committee of our condensed matter physics, and history of women own Emeriti Association, was recently elected in physics,” according to the official citation. Sidney Albert (Philosophy) visited the Fellow of the American Physical Society (APS), Frieda was initially recommended for fellow- Shaw Festival at Niagara-on-the-Lake, the primary professional organization of physi- ship by the Forum on History of Physics section Ontario, Canada last August. He also attended cists, in recognition of “her scholarly contribu- of the APS, and this recommendation was fol- five play productions and actively participated lowed by review and recommendation by the in the organizational meeting of the nascent Fellowship Committee and final approval by the International Shaw Society. At that meeting, Calling All Judges: full Council of the APS. he was appointed to the Society’s Advisory This is a coveted honor for a professional Board. The next meeting will be held at the Student Research physicist, evidenced in part by the competitive- University of South Florida in Sarasota in Symposium Needs ness attendant on such an election; only one-half March, at which he is scheduled to present a of one percent of the total membership of the paper. An article, “GBS in Hellas: A Resource Your Help! Society is elevated annually to the status of Fel- for Classicists,” was published in the 2003 The 12th Annual Symposium on Re- low. The APS Fellowship Program recognizes volume of Shaw: The Annual of Bernard Shaw search, Scholarship and Creative Activ- those among its membership who have made Studies, which is based on his presentation at ity, sponsored by the Office of Research advances in knowledge through original research the Shaw Brave New World Conference at and Sponsored Programs and The Honor and publication; significant and innovative con- Marquette University in Milwaukee, April Society of Phi Kappa Phi, will take place tributions in the application of physics to science 2001. on campus on Friday, February 27. This and technology; or significant contributions to Marion Dearman (Sociology) announces event is held annually to provide a local the teaching of physics or service and participa- the third printing of his book, Tramp Print- forum for Cal State L.A. students to gain tion in the activities of the Society. ers, published by Discovery Press. He and experience in delivering a professional Since becoming emerita in 1992, Frieda has his wife Sharon, who was department secre- presentation. The Symposium is juried continued to be active in research in the histori- tary in the Psychology Department, have been and 10 local winners will be selected to cal background of contemporary physics and in busy traveling: a tour of Thailand, Laos, represent Cal State L.A. in the statewide raising awareness among scientists as well as Myanmar, and Tokyo last January and Feb- competition, where they will be eligible the general public of contributions of 20th cen- ruary, followed by a Scandinavian cruise in for cash prizes. Judges are always hard to tury women in physics, giving lectures and May. In July, they again attended the Woody recruit, as many faculty have their own publishing articles in these areas. In addition to Guthrie Festival and toured many western students compete in the event. If you are her membership in the American Physical So- centers on their way to and from Oklahoma. interested in volunteering as a judge for ciety, Frieda is a member of the American As- In August and September, they viewed much your discipline, please contact Evelyn sociation of Physics Teachers, the Association of Alaska by car and cruise ship. In October, Winchester at 323-343-3817. for Women in Science, and the Union of Con- they visited Indio, California. When home in cerned Scientists. Salem, Oregon during intervals between their travels, they have been actively involved with the Continued Learning program at 2004 Pape Memorial Lecture: “Can Nuclear Willamette University. Mary Gormly (Library) attended the an- Weapons Proliferation Be Stopped?” nual convention of the Navy League of the The 21st annual Leon Pape Memorial Lec- concerns. The lecture series has featured Nobel United States in Honolulu, June 17-22. ture has been scheduled for Friday, May 7, at Laureates in Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, and Evelyn Granville (Mathematics) writes 2:00 p.m. in Physical Science 158. This year’s Peace, and other noted scholars in these fields. that she is well-settled in her Corsicana, Texas guest speaker is Dr. Wolfgang K. H. Panofsky, community. She and Ed, a gourmet cook, host an internationally noted nuclear physicist, weekly lunches for senior members of their whose address is titled “Can Nuclear Weapons Don’t Forget the church. In addition to handling her church’s Proliferation Be Stopped?” Fellowship Fund! financial records, Evelyn has been running Panofsky, a National Medal of Science re- an annual algebra camp at the church; this cipient, is director emeritus of the Stanford Lin- Your contributions to the Emeriti year’s was her third. They traveled to each ear Accelerator Center. In addition to his Fellowship Fund keep working for Cal coast during the past year, and missed the big activities in basic research and its administra- State L.A. students! The Emeriti Asso- blackout in the east by one day. tion, he is eminent in public interest concerns ciation now manages six scholarships, Aida Takla O’Reilly (Pan African Stud- involving physics and its applications. five for graduate students and one for ies) was recently one of three recipients of the The Pape Lecture Series commemorates the undergraduates. Recipients are selected Distinguished American Service Award. It was late Leon Pape, former professor of physics at each year, around Commencement week. presented at the annual meeting of the Ameri- Cal State L.A., who died unexpectedly in 1984 They greatly appreciate these awards, can-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee at at the age of 59. Pape was a medical biophysi- now more than ever in fiscal hard times. the annual convention of the National Asso- cist whose professional interests encompassed Tax-deductible donations are welcome ciation of Arab-Americans in Arlington, Vir- the physical and life sciences and related public year round, and may be sent to us at the ginia. Her award was “in recognition of her University’s address. outstanding accomplishment in the fields of See PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL, Page 6
3 Health Briefs Campus News High Cholesterol: A Major Risk Carol Bartell Named Dean, Factor in Cardiovascular Disease Charter College of Education By Marilyn Friedman Carol A. Bartell was appointed dean of the Charter College of Education and pro- As we all know, high cholesterol, or hyper- fessor of education, effective October 1, lipidemia, is unhealthful. With cardiovascular 2003. Previously, she served as dean of the disease being the number one cause of death in School of Education at California Lutheran both men and women in the United States, this University from 1995 to September 2003. risk factor needs to be well understood. Eating As dean, Bartell oversees management of cholesterol-rich foods is also recognized by college resources and generates resources laypersons to be an important cause of “high from within the University and from exter- cholesterol.” But when we get back the results nal sources. She is responsible for providing of blood cholesterol tests, the numbers can be leadership in curriculum and program de- somewhat confusing and complicated. Further, velopment, organizing and scheduling of updated guidelines developed by the National classes and programs, coordination of aca- Cholesterol Education Program Expert Panel demic support services, supervision and de- on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of velopment of academic support personnel, High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (ATP III) and interaction with students in activities need to be incorporated into our understand- related to academic programs. ing of what levels and types of cholesterol are healthful. Accordingly, I thought a short de- Doris Christopher Appointed scription of these guidelines would be helpful. Associate Dean, College of Cholesterol is a waxy substance that the is assessed to have. For example, in persons liver produces. Factors that contribute to high with high to moderate risk, therapeutic lifestyle Business & Economics cholesterol include one’s heredity, a diet high change (TLC) should be initiated in all persons Doris Christopher (Information Systems in fat and cholesterol, lack of exercise, smok- with LDL levels at or above 130 mg/dl. If the and Center for Effective Teaching and ing, obesity, and having diabetes, liver, or kid- LDL exceeds 130 mg/dl after three months of Learning) was named associate dean, Col- ney disease or hypothyroidism. trying TLC, drug therapy also should be initi- lege of Business and Economics, effective There are three main types of cholesterol, ated. For these individuals, drug therapy is op- July 28, 2003. also referred to as lipoproteins. Low-density tional in persons with LDL values between 100 lipoprotein (LDL) is known as “bad” choles- and 129 mg/dl. In persons assessed as low to Acting Dean and Acting terol because it carries cholesterol to body tis- moderate risk, the LDL levels can be higher Associate Deans Named sues. It can cause blockage of the arteries and before TLC and drug therapy are initiated. increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. High- In addition to high LDL, the ATP III guide- The following recent temporary appoint- density lipoprotein (HDL) is known as the lines recognize that people with many meta- ments have been made: Paul Washburn (Man- “good” cholesterol because it helps to keep cho- bolic risks also have a high risk of developing agement), acting dean, Extended Education, lesterol from building up in the arteries. Very cardiovascular disease. This type of risk is re- effective January 5, 2004; Judith Hamera low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) contain trig- ferred to as the metabolic syndrome and is a (Communication Studies), acting associate lycerides. Like LDL, high levels of triglycer- secondary target of risk reduction therapy af- dean, College of Arts and Letters, effective ides (greater than 200 mg/dl) also are considered ter the primary target of LDL reduction has September 1, 2003; Martin Roden (Electrical a risk factor for developing cardiovascular dis- been instituted. Some of the signs within meta- and Computer Engineering), acting associate ease. The above cholesterol guidelines recom- bolic syndrome include abdominal obesity, dean, College of Engineering, Computer Sci- mend that adults over the age of 20 get a fasting elevated triglycerides, low HDL, elevated ence and Technology, effective September 1, lipid profile (total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and blood pressure and insulin resistance. Man- 2003; and Cherie Hawley (Curriculum and In- triglycerides) at least every five years. agement of the metabolic syndrome usually struction), associate dean, Charter College of In general, the higher the LDL level and involves making changes in lifestyle, particu- Education, effective October 31, 2003. the more risk factors a person has, the greater larly physical inactivity and obesity. In some the risk of developing cardiovascular disease persons, drug therapy to treat low HDL or el- Construction Begins on or having a heart attack. High HDL (greater evated triglycerides may also be indicated. New Parking Structure than 60 mg/dl) is considered cardioprotective. In evaluating one’s cholesterol test results, The new guidelines, developed to help man- total cholesterol count, HDL level, and trig- Construction on a new 1,196-space park- age hyperlipidemia, identify LDL reduction lycerides level are also important indicators of ing structure (Parking Structure III) began as the primary aim of lipid-lowering therapy. risk. The optimum total cholesterol count is in Lot C on October 27, 2003, making much Two main approaches to lowering LDL are considered to be 200 mg/dl or less, HDL over of that area unavailable. Alternative park- recommended: therapeutic lifestyle change 60 mg/dl, and triglycerides under 150 mg/dl. ing is available in structures I and II, as well (diet, weight management, and exercise) and Although these values are still significant, the as in Lots A, F, and G. drug therapy. There are different guidelines for new guidelines have, for most practitioners, See CAMPUS NEWS, Page 6 LDL depending on what level of risk a person led them to give priority to the LDL value.
4 Profile Don Mortensen: Savoring 90 By Frieda A. Stahl
Donald and Dorothy Mortensen are en- dential in 1937. But jobs remained scarce, so and ship recognition. Back at San Diego, he joying a year of milestones. Don turned 90 on he hitchhiked back to California and found taught prospective combat troops to recog- May 20; before that they observed their 61st employment at the Bank of America. Despite nize structural outlines rapidly, in a program wedding anniversary in February. Both occa- some job-related training at the American designed to minimize “friendly fire.” Dor- sions were celebrated with family, friends, Institute of Banking, which might have led othy was able to join him in San Diego, and food, and festivity. As residents of St. George, him to a business career, he enrolled at USC they welcomed a daughter during the year Utah since 1993, they remain active in many and earned a California secondary teaching and a half they stayed there. church and community groups. They derive credential. At the end of 1944, Don was reassigned to particular satisfaction from the knowledge of a center in Pennsylvania as a contract adjust- centuries gleaned in genealogical searches of ment officer in purchasing, for which he vol- both their ancestral “trees.” unteered because the job posting had specified Don was the Emeriti Association’s sixth business-related experience. In that capacity, president, in 1983-84, having retired at the he was responsible for the validity of orders end of 1978. He was appointed as the found- and payments. When the war was finally over, ing dean of the former School of Fine and he declined to stay in the Navy for a career, Applied Arts when it was established in 1964, and in 1946 he was transferred to the Naval and held that position right up to his retire- Reserve. ment. However, as a professor of education The Mortensens then settled in Los Ange- and a California Licensed Psychologist, he les, and Don returned to USC to pursue a doc- turned to the Faculty Early Retirement Pro- torate. By the end of 1948, he had completed gram (FERP) and returned to teach. He de- the course requirements and was making good veloped a major professional interest in the progress on his dissertation. In January 1949, aging process, and about half of his FERP he heard about “a new college—then meeting assignments were in courses pertaining to on the Los Angeles City College campus,” aging. It can easily be said that Don stayed and the ongoing search for faculty. He was young by thinking old. When Pearl Harbor was attacked in 1941, interviewed and hired immediately, and was Don was born in 1913 in rural Manassa, Don enlisted in the Navy while his two broth- scheduled to begin teaching in the spring se- Colorado, the fifth child of an eventual eight. ers respectively joined the Army and the Ma- mester about to start. His program consisted The family moved west to equally rural rines. In February 1942, he and Dorothy (née of a class in adolescent psychology, another Amalga, Utah in 1915. As Don writes in a Hyde) were married in Arizona, just ahead of psych course, a class in education, and two reminiscence he recently sent to the Associa- classes in journalism—15 semester units, in tion, they lived in surroundings offering “no addition to which he served as adviser for the electricity, no indoor plumbing, no telephone, new student newspaper—a normal load by and very few automobiles—if any.” The post- “He writes that ‘nonagenarians community college criteria. His starting an- World War I influenza pandemic, in which nual salary was $3500, enough to support his some 40 million deaths occurred worldwide, have medical histories and growing family in that era. He received the struck the Mortensen family, but all survived. Ed.D. in 1950 and was then promoted to as- Don attended Utah schools through the sociate professor. sophomore year of high school. The family good recoveries,’ far more Don recalls his first faculty meeting, with then moved to California in 1929, settling in 24 colleagues in attendance and the fledg- North Hollywood, where they found that they than just plain luck.” ling Education Department outnumbering had “give[n] up the farm and food to struggle the rest. Parties and picnics were notable through the Great Depression,” with unem- agenda items. Preceding him in that faculty ployment in California reaching 25 percent. cohort, among others, were Esther Penchef, Don worked part-time at a variety of jobs, orders shipping him to San Diego. Dorothy John Morton, and Floyd Eastwood, along including milk bottling at a dairy, when he had been working as a clerical staff member at with the founding president, P. Victor could get a job at all. He completed high an office of the FBI. As a consequence, Don Peterson. Don adds, “There was no faculty school at North Hollywood High and then and his family were investigated, and then organization and no faculty relations with attended Los Angeles City College, with a cleared in a letter signed by J. Edgar Hoover. other colleges.” But this initial cadre soon year’s interruption for work. Don went up the enlisted ranks rapidly be- learned that there was an organization called In 1935, Don went back to his Utah roots cause of his characteristic initiative. He was the Association of State College Instructors for a bachelor’s degree at Brigham Young accepted for a commission as an ensign in (ACSCI), decades before the state colleges University, for which he majored in political December 1942. Further training as a naval were collected into a system. They organized science and minored in English and journal- officer brought him successively to programs a chapter of ACSCI for L.A. State; Don be- ism. With financial assistance, he earned both at Dartmouth, Princeton, and Ohio State. At came actively involved and went on to serve the A.B. and a Utah secondary teaching cre- OSU he qualified as an instructor in plane See DON MORTENSEN, Page 8
5 Professional and Personal Door of Retirement Revolves for Some (Continued from Page 3) During the last few years, at least one emeri- bara has now returned to the Los Angeles cam- education and the arts.” Since her retirement, tus professor has been returned to active ranks pus as an “ordinary” FERP, and will coordinate O’Reilly has been president of Trinity College following his official retirement, and subse- the revised Health Science program now housed of Graduate Studies in Anaheim. quently re-retired. For several others, adminis- in the School of Nursing. Leon Schwartz (French) has written a trative assignments have served as the allowed In the Charter College of Education, Lamar historical article, “205 Days and 35 missions half-time service in the Faculty Early Retire- Mayer is assisting with the preparation of the of the 100th Bomb Group’s ‘Luckye ment Program (FERP), though the duties may NCATE/COA documents for the accreditation Bastardes’,” posted on
6 Outstanding Professors (Continued from Page 1) been instrumental in designing an upper-di- tion data analysis, and semiparametric econo- Interactive Video in Education and MacArt, vision course on graph theory and an impor- metrics. His research on some econometric and her writings are included in educational tant core requirement course on discrete problems is considered pioneering by re- anthologies. Her many articles and book re- mathematics. She was also principal gradu- searchers in his field. He has published more views have been published in major journals ate adviser for mathematics, providing ad- than 50 articles in some of the most presti- in her field. visement and supervision to more than 60 M.S. students. Liu has been a visiting profes- sor in Taiwan at National Sun Yat-sen Uni- versity, Academia Sinica, and National Chiao Tung University. Some of her more than 20 publications have appeared in the most pres- tigious journals in her research fields. She has given more than 40 presentations at pro- fessional conferences, workshops, and insti- tutions, including invited talks presented at Oxford University, Simon Fraser University, Rutgers University, and Caltech. Liu’s re- search involves both theory and applications, with a main focus on graph coloring prob- lems, including their interplay with number theory and their applications to broadcast communications. Majdedin Mirmirani is serving his third term as department chair while maintaining a very active, full-time research program. He has been a Cal State L.A. faculty member since 1981. Mirmirani uses problem-based learning in his courses to promote critical thinking. He challenges students on the first day of Front row (l. to r.): Sunil Sapra, Daphne Liu, Judith Hamera, Penelope Semrau, and Majdedin Mirmirani. Back row class with an open-ended real world prob- (l. to r.): President James Rosser, Academic Senate chair Ted Anagnoson, Provost Herman D. Lujan, and OPA lem: by solving this type of problem, he says, selection chair Margaret Jefferson. his students learn all the required theories. Mirmirani’s professional achievements in- gious statistics and econometrics journals. His Currently serving as acting associate dean clude 40 publications in top-ranked journals research has been cited in top journals in these of the College of Arts and Letters, Judith and proceedings of conferences in his field, fields as well as in a widely-used volume on Hamera has taught nine different graduate book chapters, and technical reports and statistical distributions. He serves on the edi- seminars and 15 undergraduate courses across briefs. He is the principal investigator or co- torial board of the journal InterStat, and is a two departments—Communication Studies investigator on external research grants that reviewer for several econometrics and statis- and Theatre Arts and Dance—since her ar- exceed $13 million. Over the past eight years, tics journals. He has made presentations at rival at Cal State L.A. in 1987. Her signifi- Mirmirani’s research focused on the design national and international conferences and has cantly superior student evaluations have and construction of a testbed for large seg- been a chair and a discussant at these confer- addressed her professionalism, the challeng- mented telescopes. His current research, ences. ing nature of her course requirements, and funded by NASA and the U.S. Air Force, fo- In September, Penelope Semrau began her caring attitude. She has been commended cuses on the development of multidisciplinary her 16th teaching year at Cal State L.A. Semrau for providing challenging, intellectually tools for design, modeling, and simulation of teaches both undergraduate and graduate stimulating, and highly motivating courses high-performance aircraft; and design of in- classes in educational uses of computers. Her to every student who enters her classroom. telligent flight control laws. All of his re- classes, which include Multimedia Design and Hamera’s major professional achievements search projects directly involve the Production, Authoring Tools in Education, include more than 30 book chapters and ar- participation of undergraduate and graduate and Information Technologies in the Class- ticles in prestigious national and international students. room, use cutting-edge technology and journals in her field, and more than 40 pre- Sunil K. Sapra held the prestigious ASA/ constructivist approaches to learning. Semrau sentations at national and international meet- NSF/Census Research Fellowship at the Bu- pioneered the e-learning wave at Cal State ings. Her numerous professional awards and reau of the Census in 1989. Since joining Cal L.A. and in 1994 was one of the first profes- honors include her selection as co-editor of State L.A. in 1991, he has been extremely sors in the CSU system to teach online. Be- the most definitive reference work in her field active in teaching and research. He has taught cause of such accomplishments, she was and as recipient of the highest award for out- a wide variety of courses in economics, econo- invited in 1998 to teach in Hamburg, Ger- standing scholarship by the national organi- metrics, and statistics, including business sta- many, on the topic of online learning. Semrau zation in this discipline. Hamera has served tistics and international economics. Sapra’s has amassed an impressive record of publica- as the editor of Text and Performance Quar- research has focused on missing data prob- tions, presentations, and 30 grants. Her cur- terly, a major peer-reviewed national jour- lems, nonlinear statistical and econometric rent project is funded by the National Security nal. She was the recipient of the 1996 Cal models, robust statistical procedures, dura- Agency. She has authored the books, Using State L.A. Outstanding Professor Award.
7 Don Mortensen (Continued from Page 5) as a vice president of the statewide associa- Ten New Emeriti Named tion. (It later became ACSUP, changing its name to reflect representation of state uni- The following recently retired faculty members have been awarded emeritus status: versity professors.) Don’s recollections cover the earliest years ADNAN M. ABDEEN RAYMOND I. JENG of the original college and the expansion of its (Accounting, 1986-2003) (Civil Engineering, 1968-2003) initial mission in “applied arts and sciences” to one befitting a comprehensive university. KENNETH L. ANDERSON RICHARD KATZ He was instrumental in the development of (Microbiology, 1970-2003) (Mathematics, 1969-2003) degree and credential programs for what then was the Division of Education, as well as the MARILYN BUCCELLATI CHOR T. LAU structure of the School that evolved from it in (Art, 1973-2003) (Accounting, 1985-2003) the reorganization of 1964. Ironically, he be- came the dean of a totally different school in JIM D. DONOHOO RAMACHANDRA MANVI that reorganization, yet he enjoyed his asso- (Accounting, 1981-2003) (Mechanical Engineering, 1971-2003) ciation with both the arts and the applied pro- grams in great measure. DANIEL DOUKE DONALD R. PAULSON In 1961, just prior to that metamorphosis, (Art, 1982-2003) (Chemistry, 1970-2003) Don took his only sabbatical leave. His pro- gram included visiting several universities in We congratulate them and hope to welcome them into the membership of the Emeriti Association. western Europe for purposes of a comparative study. He and Dorothy took their three chil- dren along, bought a new Mercedes for $2,400, their post-retirement travels, in which they now has a pacemaker and a defibrillator. He and rolled up 18,000 miles on the continent. have reached every temperate-zone continent writes that “nonagenarians have medical his- They had prepared well, and were “ready for and many islands in between. tories and good recoveries,” far more often most of the challenges.” That experience seems Don has made it through two quintuple than just plain luck. Above all, his positive also to have prepared Don and Dorothy for bypasses, first in 1986 and again in 1995, and outlook is salutary, and should be contagious.
Chancellor Reed Tells of Deep Cuts Ahead for CSU
On January 21, Chancellor Charles B. grams, which have been very successful for Reed sent a grim electronic message to the students who otherwise may not have the faculty and administration at all CSU cam- opportunity to attend the CSU. The puses. In it, he summarized the proposals set governor’s proposed budget will also force forth by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger the CSU to significantly reduce spending in for a cut of $240 million, or nine percent, of university operations, as it leaves unfunded the University system’s budget. This reduc- $57.4 million in 2004-05 mandatory cost in- tion in resources will severely curtail efforts creases. These costs include collective bar- to carry out the missions to which the 23 cam- gaining commitments, health benefit rate puses are committed, involving opportunity increases and insurance, and energy cost in- as well as instruction. creases. The budget cuts may ultimately re- If the cuts are implemented as proposed, sult in some reductions to institutional staff. student access may be limited by approxi- The governor has called for a more stable Chancellor Reed urged everyone to “con- mately 20,000 students. According to Chan- fee policy for higher education, with a 10 per- tinue to reinforce the CSU message—that CSU cellor Reed, “The budget reductions are cent annual cap on undergraduate fee increases. is working for California. We need to remind troubling because we will have to turn away The CSU has long advocated establishment of policymakers and the public that our university qualified students who would otherwise be a predictable fee policy, and the Board of Trust- system is vital to job creation and to the state’s able to attend our universities.” The proposed ees will be discussing this further at its March economic prosperity. We need to stay focused budget also recommends redirecting 10 per- board meeting. However, the proposed budget on our mission of providing a quality, acces- cent, or 4,200, of CSU first-time freshmen to calls for steep fee increases (40 percent) for sible and affordable education for students, and the community colleges. graduate students. This could potentially dis- to be advocates for our CSU students.” Chancellor Reed called attention to an- courage many CSU teacher candidates and those other significant problem that would be posed considering the profession from entering the by limiting access—fewer students admitted field. It could also impact the CSU’s ability to means that there will be fewer educated citi- produce the highly qualified teachers needed Read about Prop 55! zens entering the workforce. The state’s in- throughout California. vestment in higher education is vital to Chancellor Reed indicated concern about Click on the button at long-term economic growth, job develop- the budget’s impact on funding for programs, www.calstatela.edu. ment, and the fiscal recovery plan the gover- including the Educational Opportunities Pro- nor has outlined, Reed stated. gram (EOP) and academic preparation pro-
8 In Memoriam
MARTHA L. HACKMAN First employed at Lockheed Aircraft Co., search Center. In public service, he was an Librarian, 1959-1977 George left to found his own firm, Mann En- active practitioner in the fields of his exper- Martha L. Hackman, who served in many gineering Co., shortly after the end of World tise, lecturing to and holding appointments capacities on the professional staff of the Uni- War II. But after about a decade in engineer- on selection boards of public agencies, writ- versity Library, died on November 3 after a ing practice, he turned to teaching, and joined ing reports for government departments at short illness. She had recently observed her the Cal State L.A. faculty in 1957. local and national levels, and speaking to 91st birthday. His engineering interests broadened over political groups. Much of his work was on Martha was born in Lincoln, Nebraska. time under the influence of innovative devel- behalf of the Department of Health, Educa- At the University of Nebraska, she received opments, including specialties such as solar tion, and Welfare. her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in En- power and adhesive bonding, and he obtained glish, and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. several patents. During sabbatical leaves, he She went on to earn a degree in library sci- traveled to Brazil and China, and participated ence at the University of Denver. Following in academic engineering activities there. a brief period of employment as a teacher, On the faculty, he was widely known as a she began her career as a librarian in a num- member of the founding cohort of the Faculty ber of locations, including both public and Club, before its modification as the Univer- academic libraries. She worked at the New sity Club. Following his retirement in 1980, York Public Library’s main branch on Fifth he continued part-time teaching and working Avenue and at the University of Illinois prior on projects with students. to her move to California in 1952. George was married twice, and is survived Her first position in California was at Oc- by seven children and 17 grandchildren, all cidental College, followed by her 1959 ap- of whom he guided devotedly in their per- pointment at Cal State L.A., where she served sonal and intellectual development. Memo- in reference and in administrative assign- rial services were held in Glendale on ments, and taught classes in the use of library November 28 and 29. resources. She retired after 18 years and en- With all these activities, he still managed joyed many years of creative writing, full- to co-author five textbooks, primarily with time. She wrote poetry, essays, and children’s his department colleague, Eugene Dvorin, and books, as well as memoirs of her life, and to participate actively in faculty and profes- was active in a community writing group in ARTHUR J. MISNER sional organizations. He served for several South Pasadena. Professor of Political Science, 1955-1983 years as director of personnel for the Califor- Martha is survived by a cousin in Beatrice, Arthur J. (Jack) Misner, emeritus profes- nia State Employees Association (CSEA), and Nebraska, and by her long-time companion, sor of political science, died on November was president of the Cal State L.A. chapter of Lois DiSanto. A memorial service was held 12, 20 years after his retirement from the fac- CSEA for two years. He also was active in the at their home on Thanksgiving Day, Novem- ulty. He suffered a fall on November 5, and Association of California State University ber 25, with many of her fellow writers in required surgery from which he did not re- Professors and the Los Angeles Metropolitan attendance. cover. He was 82 years of age. chapter of the American Society for Public Jack came to Los Angeles State College Administration, serving a term as vice presi- in 1955, after earning his bachelor’s, dent in each. That chapter presented him with master’s, and doctoral degrees in public ad- an award for his impact on the local public ministration at UC Berkeley, respectively in administration profession when he retired GEORGE E. MANN 1942, 1948, and 1954. His previous employ- from the faculty in 1983. Professor of Mechanical Engineering, 1957-1980 ment included service as a lecturer, instruc- Jack was born in Los Angeles on July 14, George E. Mann, emeritus professor of tor, and administrative analyst in the Bureau 1921 and attended local schools. Following mechanical engineering, died on November of Public Affairs at Berkeley. He had also his B.A. from Berkeley in 1942, he enlisted 25, of undisclosed causes. He was 87 years founded a government consulting firm, of in the Navy and served four years on active of age. which he was president. duty during World War II. He was a lieuten- George was born in Illinois in 1916. In the Cal State L.A. Department of Po- ant (j.g.) on the LST Anne Arundel in the in- Shortly thereafter, his parents moved to litical Science, Jack was a specialist in both vasions of Normandy, Southern France, the Southern California, and he grew up on their public administration and labor-management Philippines, and Okinawa, as he related in citrus ranch near Indio. Caltech was his choice relations. He taught a variety of courses, but The Emeritimes of Spring 1996, which fea- for higher education, and he earned bachelor’s his primary role was as the creator of the M.S. tured faculty reminiscences of the war. After and master’s degrees in aeronautical engi- program in public administration, the only the war, he remained in the Naval Reserve for neering in 1937 and 1938. He was licensed in such program in the CSU. He served as the 38 years, retiring with the rank of lieutenant California as a Registered Professional En- administrative director of that program and commander. gineer in 1949. as director of the Government Affairs Re- See IN MEMORIAM, Page 10
9 In Memoriam (Continued from Page 9) After his official retirement from the Uni- In the late 1960s, Bob and Kathryn moved versity, Jack continued teaching in the Fac- to Los Angeles. Bob earned a Doctor of Fine ulty Early Retirement Program for eight years, Arts degree at the University of Judaism, for mostly in large classes of Political Science which he did extensive research on the com- EVELYN ELIZABETH DAYTON 150 held in King Hall Lecture Hall 1, Tues- positions of Ernest Bloch. He spent the rest Evelyn Elizabeth (Betty) Dayton, wife of days and Thursdays at 8:00 a.m. He also en- of his career at Cal State L.A. He was active Bruce Dayton, emeritus professor of physics, joyed playing golf and occasional visits to in the Friends of Music, serving as its presi- died on December 13, following a stroke that the races at Santa Anita. However, his health dent and establishing scholarships in his name occurred on December 10. Betty was 85 and began declining seriously about three years and in memory of Kathryn, who died about had suffered from Alzheimer’s disease for ago, curtailing his activities. He is survived five years ago. They were married for 60 about 10 years. by his wife Fern, daughter Gaile Van Dahlen, years. The Daytons moved from Pasadena to son Robert Lee, and five grandchildren. Bob retired from the faculty in 1983 and Carmel Valley in 1985, after Bruce retired. continued composing, most notably an opera For a short time during Bruce’s active years based on the life of Walt Whitman. He is sur- on the Cal State L.A. faculty, Betty worked vived by two sons and two grandchildren. A as a costume specialist in what then was the memorial service was held in Glendale on Department of Speech and Drama. Her long- ROBERT STRASSBURG Thanksgiving Day. term activities in drama production were con- Professor of Music, 1971-1983 ducted in Altadena’s Theatre Americana and Robert (Bob) Strassburg, emeritus profes- California Theatre Ensemble. In Carmel Val- sor of music, died on October 25 in Pasadena. ley, she continued directing at area commu- He was 88 years of age and had suffered a nity colleges until the onset of her illness. A stroke previously, which was followed by WAYNE GLADISH native of Texas, Betty earned bachelor’s and complications that led to his death. Librarian, 1987-2003 master’s degrees at the University of Texas- Wayne Gladish, the University Library’s Austin in English and drama. collections development librarian, died of In addition to Bruce, she is survived by heart disease at the age of 55 during a sum- a daughter Aruna, two stepchildren, a mer vacation trip. He and his wife, Chris- brother, six grandchildren, and two great- tine, also a campus librarian, were visiting grandchildren. family in the Finger Lakes region of New York State. Wayne and Christine, better known as Kippy, came to California in 1974, when Wayne was appointed to the USC library as RUTH HOFFMAN acquisitions librarian. He joined the Cal Ruth Hoffman, widow of Richard State L.A. library staff as acquisitions li- (Dick) Hoffman, died of natural causes on brarian in 1987. He held a bachelor’s de- June 24, in Lexington, Massachusetts, gree in economics from Kenyon College, where she moved about five years ago in followed by a master’s degree in library order to be close to her daughter. She was science from the University of Buffalo 89 years of age. Bob was a pianist, conductor, and com- School of Library and Information Science, Ruth was an elementary school teacher poser, and one of the most esteemed teachers, which he received in 1973. and a consultant for the Los Angeles Uni- recognized by an Outstanding Professor Award His years in Buffalo reinforced his avid fied School District during their residence in 1976. He came to Cal State L.A. in 1971, sports interests. He was a fan of the Buffalo in Southern California. Dick was a profes- following a distinguished career in Florida. Bills in football and the Buffalo Sabres in sor of industrial studies. He was a typogra- He was named Miami Composer of the Year hockey. His baseball allegiance, for which pher and book designer, and taught that in 1955, and in 1958 founded the Greater Mi- Buffalo did not have a major league team, specialty in his department’s multifaceted ami Youth Symphony, which continues its was divided between the Pittsburgh Pirates program. biennial Robert Strassburg Piano Concerto and the Anaheim Angels. competition for aspiring young artists. Wayne and Kippy both grew up in Niagara A native of New York, born in 1915, Bob Falls, New York and attended high school pursued higher education in New England. together. They commuter-dated through their He earned a Bachelor of Music degree from separate college years, and were married in Word was received at press time of the the New England Conservatory of Music and 1970. They had no children; his two brothers death of Roderick G. (Rod) Langston, emeri- a Master of Music degree from Harvard, where are his survivors. tus professor of education; Daniel Amneus, Igor Stravinsky was one of his teachers. When Wayne’s health deteriorated in recent emeritus professor of English; and Earl he and his wife, the late Kathryn Ulanoff, years as a result of diabetes. In 1998, he un- Phillips, emeritus professor of history. Obitu- moved to Florida, they settled in Coral Gables derwent bypass surgery, but his medical dif- aries will appear in the next issue of The and were very active in the cultural life of the ficulties continued as the disease progressed. Emeritimes. Miami area. Plans for a memorial service are in progress.
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