Risky Business Meeting the community’s need for safety professionals Whether they are conducting cutting-edge research in our state-of-the-art science labs or breathing new life into a classic role at the Doré Theatre, the students of California State University, Bakersfield achieve new heights every day. And, the CSUB FUND helps them get there. The CSUB FUND provides today’s students with everything from scholarships to vital scientific equipment – so nothing stands in the way of a great idea. Show your support by giving today! % Call: (661) 654-3454 8 Visit: www.csub.edu/csubfund CInsideSU BAKERSFCSUBIELD NEWS MAGAZINE Volume XVI, Number 2 • Spring 2009 Contents Inside CSUB is published twice a year by the Office of University Advancement at CSUB Bakersfield for alumni, friends, parents and FEatuRES colleagues of the university. The fall issue is mailed without charge and the spring issue is available online at www.csub.edu/insidecsub. 8 The blue and gold are going green 6 University advances solar project and efforts EDITOR for climate neutrality Kathy Miller (661) 654-2456 [email protected] 13 FACT helps furry and feathered friends Direct comments and inquiries to: Providing specialized care for sick and Office of Public Affairs and injured animals Communications CSU Bakersfield 9001 Stockdale Highway, 19AW COVER STORY Bakersfield, CA 93311-1022 14 Risky business CSU BAKERSFIELD Environmental health and safety program. Horace Mitchell answers community’s call for locally trained 14 President safety professionals UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT Beverly Byl 17 Giving Kern’s children hope for a healthy VP for University Advancement future Executive Director, CSUB Foundation CSUB receives $10.4 million grant to study effects of environmental and genetic factors MAGAZINE CONTRIBUTORS on child and young adult health WRITERS Jaclyn Hernandez Kathy Miller Michele Newell PROFILES PHOTOGRAPHERS Jaclyn Hernandez 11 Geoff King Pierre Igoa Donor gives to strengthen campus and 22 PHOTO COURTESY : GARY BUNK PHOTOGRAPHY Kathy Miller community Michele Newell GRAPHIC DESIGN DEPARTMENTS Michele Newell 16 Jianjun “JJ” Wang Micki Reichle Professor’s love of learning thrives at CSUB 4 Campus Connection ON THE COVER: Matt Kennedy and Jessica 19 Brandon McNaughton University Advancement Dickman are students in a new CSUB program 1 1 that is answering the community’s demand for Alumnus invents device capable of quickly specialized safety professionals. Page 14 detecting the presence and growth of deadly 18 Alumni Relations bacteria Visit Inside CSUB online: 22 ’Runner Roundup www.csub.edu/insidecsub 24 Beyond the Books with graduate student To change your name or mailing Maria Brown 25 Upcoming Events address: Meet one of today’s students, in her own (661) 654-2136 (800) 788-CSUB (2782) words Opinions expressed in Inside CSUB do not necessarily reflect the views of the editor nor represent the official policy of CSUB. INSIDE CSUB 3 A Party in the Park pops cork for scholarships As the weather warms and the flowers bloom, Kern River Brewery and select brands from the Central Valley knows it’s time for Party in the Advanced Beverage. Park. Grab a wine glass and beer mug…wait, beer “Party in the Park has become a Bakersfield mug? That’s right, in addition to top California tradition, especially for alumni,” Perkins added. wineries, this year attendees can sample unique “This event is a great way to have a good time with micro-brews while Winefriends while giving back to Jazz raising thousands the university and students. of dollars for The event will sell out again, CSUB student so get your tickets early!” scholarships. Join Last year, Party in the the festivities on Park attracted 600 guests Friday, May 8, and raised $7,000 for the at 5:30 p.m. in Alumni Scholarship Fund. CSUB’s Alumni The fund provides academic Park. scholarships for deserving “We are students who might expanding Party otherwise have difficulty in the Park to affording a university accommodate education. Last year the 600 people who attended Party in the Park raised $7,000 for student scholarships. all tastes,” said Party in the David Perkins, Park precedes the event chair and member of the CSUB Alumni annual Bakersfield Jazz Festival. Cost Association board. “The wineries are stellar, for the tasting is $40 in advance or and the micro-brews add a new dimension to the $50 the day of the event. Available CONNECTION event. But most importantly, we’re raising funds to for pre-purchase only is a weekend support student scholarships.” package that includes both Party Vinters from throughout California are already in the Park and the Bakersfield lining up to pop their corks for the worthy cause. Jazz Festival. The package With wineries such as Croad Vineyards, Arroyo price for Friday’s events CAMPUS Robles, Chumiea, and Souza Family Vineyard, the is $70, or enjoy the entire evening is sure to be immensely successful. Perkins weekend for $90. anticipates more than 60 wineries will participate Major sponsors for along with micro-brews from Lengthwise Brewery, Party in the Park are KGET 17 and Cost Plus World Market. For tickets or more information, please contact the Alumni Relations office at (661) 654-3211. Party in the Park revelers enjoyed spirits from more than 60 California wineries. 4 SPRING 2009 A Diverse line-up punctuates jazz festival Each year the Bakersfield Jazz Festival ushers was awarded to 51 students. in spring with music and song at the CSUB “We award the scholarship checks at the event amphitheater. On Friday and so donors can meet the recipients if they wish,” Saturday, May 8 and 9, Davis said. “It is extremely important for everyone organizer Doug Davis in attendance to know that the real reason behind Wine plans to wow the crowd this event is the Jazz with a talented and diverse students.” line up that will mark the Beyond the 23rd year of the festival. music, festival The festival kicks off with attendees also music from Kyle Eastwood, enjoy a variety son of actor/director Clint of great food Eastwood, Darren Gholston, and and drinks. Bob Mintzer’s Big Band in its first The artisans West Coast performance. Mintzer pavilion was a member of the multi-Grammy typically winning group the Yellowjackets. features a On Saturday night, Peruvian singer selection CAMPUS Cecilia Noel and the Wild Clams will of artwork, rock the house when they bring their handcrafted unique brand of “salsoul” to the furniture stage. Well-known musician Brian and jewelry CONNECTION Bromberg with guitarist Chuck Loeb, available for Banjo virtuoso Alison Brown will perform Saturday. Alison Brown, Tim Davies Big Band, purchase. CSUB Jazz Singers, and the Kern Tickets are available at CSUB, Vallitix outlets, County Honor Jazz Band will also Stockdale Music, California Keyboards, Russo’s perform. The evening is punctuated with Books and Front Porch Music. For tickets, to reserve a stunning fireworks display. a table or for more information, please call (661) 322-5200 or log on to www.bakersfieldjazz.com. “We receive a huge response to the fireworks Party in the Park every year,” Friday, May 8 at 5:30 p.m. said Davis. “It CSUB Alumni Park is a great way Tickets and information (661) 654-3211 to wrap-up this event.” Proceeds 23rd Annual from the Bakersfield Jazz Festival festival fund student Friday, May 8 at 7 p.m. scholarships Saturday, May 9 at 2 p.m. in various CSUB Amphitheatre academic Tickets and information (661) 322-5200 disciplines. www.bakersfieldjazz.com Last year more Grammy-winning artist Bob Mintzer and his big band make their than $30,000 West Coast debut on Friday night. INSIDE CSUB 5 Puccini operas set the stage Heart-wrenching drama and light-hearted mischievousness filled the Doré Theatre when CSUB presented two, one-act operas by Giacomo Puccini. Directed by music professor Peggy Sears, “Suor (Sister) Angelica” and “Gianni Schicchi” depicted conflicting paths to heaven and hell. The ensemble cast of nearly all CSUB students and alumni were clad in costumes designed by Roger Upton amongst scenery and lighting sets designed by Ray Finnell. A full orchestra, conducted by professor emeritus Gordon Mehling, accompanied the performances. “We only do a full opera with orchestra once every three years, so it is important to pick an opera that gives maximum opportunities,” Sears said. “With 25 roles to fill, we were able to give many talented students and alumni a chance to share their musical talents.” Audiences packed the theatre to hear “Suor Angelica,” a tale of loss and repentance. For the dramatic performance, music major Almalinda Duran played the leading role of Sister Angelica. Duran is a CSUB Fine Arts Merit Award Scholarship winner, and last summer studied with CONNECTION internationally acclaimed voice, diction and music coaches in Madrid, Spain. “This was my first full opera and having the opportunity to affect the lives of others was CAMPUS amazing,” Duran said. “This experience taught me a lot about myself because it was so emotional and helped me grow as a performer and do what I love to do – touch people.” The second opera, “Gianni Schicchi,” was about a greedy family trying to gain control of the estate of their dead relative. Danvir Grewal, a theater major and first-time opera singer, played the part of Schicchi. “Opera has been a great learning experience for me because it is much different than a musical. I am happy to have had the opportunity to be involved,” Grewal said. “Despite the fact that I cannot read music, which makes it difficult, I have been able to broaden my horizon through this experience. And, it makes my mom happy because she wants me to be a singer.” Marco Rodriguez and Adrianna Medel The cast of “Gianni Schicchi” 6 SPRING 2009 Puccini operas set the stage Above: A moving scene from “Suor Angelica” starring Almalinda Duran as Sister Angelica.