2010 California State University Stanislaus California State University Stanislaus California State University Stanislaus It’s About Time… CONTENTS DEPARTMENTS 06 UNIVERSITY NEWS From Shakespeare to Nursing, a round up of all things Stanislaus 10 AMBASSADOR SPOTLIGHT Matt Swanson gets his groove on with the University Foundation 14 ALUMNI CONNECTION Stanislaus grads make their marks at home and abroad Warriors appreciate a good pairing, which is why more than 330 people 30 PHILANTHROPY REPORT enjoyed the inaugural Vines event. Individuals and corporations Enjoy a sample of photos on page 16. making an impact 34 FOCUS ON FACULTY Finding dinosaurs is all in a COVER STORY day’s work for Julia Sankey 38 WARRIOR HIGHLIGHTS 18 FIFTY YEARS: Husband-and-wife pole vaulters; ALL IN GOOD TIME Cal State Hall of Famers If the first 50 years are any indication, the future 38 STUDENT SPOTLIGHTS is bright indeed! Watch for these up-and-comers! FEATURE STORIES 12 20/20 VISION Two new deans share their goals and aspirations 26 MULTI-GEN Multiple generations of CSU Stanislaus alumni share their stories foundation board RUss GIAMBELLUCA DARIUS ASEMI ED FITZPATRICK Treasurer President, Granville Homes Owner, Valley Lexus officers JAMES BRENDA AMIN AshRAFZADEH, M.D. RON FOSTER HAMID SHIRVANI, PH.D. Board Secretary Medical Director, Northern President & CEO, Foster Farms Chairman President, JKB Homes California Laser Center STEVE GEMPERLE MATT SWANSON directors DOROTHY BIZZINI President, Gemperle Enterprises Board President BILL AHLEM Owner, Bizzini Investment, Inc. PAULA ZAGARIS LEFFLER President, CEO Associated Feed Owner, Ahlem Dairy MOSES ELAM President, Liberty Property Mgmt. CEO, Pet Extreme, Inc. Co-founder, Hilmar Cheese Company Physician-in-Chief, Central Valley NORIK NARAghI SUSANA GAJIC-BRUYEA Service Area, Kaiser Permanente General Counsel, H. Naraghi Farms Executive Officer California State University Stanislaus California State University Stanislaus STANCali fmagazineornia S tisa publishedte Unive forrs ialumnity St andani slaus friends of CSU Stanislaus by the Office of Marketing & Communications in the Division ofC aUniversitylifornia Advancement. State University Stanislaus Comments may be sent to: STAN, Communications 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 Marketing & Communications Kristin Olsen Magazine Contributors Editor Kristin Olsen California State University Stanislaus Art Director Eric Arvizu Contributing Writers Eric Arvizu Linda Goodwin, Ph.D. Don Hansen Eve Hightower Jacob McDougal ’04 Denise Nordell ’04 Linda Nowak, Ph.D. Herb Smart ’05 Megan Underwood Graphic Design Eric Arvizu Sally Gerbo ’01 Photography Cary Edmondson MILAN PANIC ROBERT TRIEbsCH faculty & student representatives President & CEO, MP Biomedicals, LLC Attorney, Triebsch, Frampton, ALAN KHADE, PH.D. GEORGE PETRULAKIS Dorius & Lima Professor, College of Partner, Petrulakis JIM VIERRA Business Administration Jensen & Friedrich President, P&F Metals DANA TAYLOR CAROL BRIghT TOUGAS and California Mill, Inc. Head Coach, Men’s Soccer Vice President, Bright Development JANE VILAS MARIE BRICHETTO WILLIAM TREZZA Philanthropist Associated Students, Inc. CEO, Bank of Agriculture & Commerce The Official Sponsor of Great Memories. venU After 50 years of celebrating excellence, you could say we know how to throw a party. Whether you’re having a small gathering, a dream wedding, or just a gala that garners the attention of a nation — we’ll make sure your event runs smoothly and impresses all. Have your next event hosted on the beautiful campus of CSU Stanislaus. Contact Monica Doll: (209) 667-3913 [email protected] www.csustan.edu/VenU fall |2009 5 A WORD WITH PRESidENT SHIRVANI This year, we celebrate 50 years of academic excellence at two very timely voices at this year’s commencement ceremony. California State University, Stanislaus. A half century ago, CIA Director Leon Panetta and hip-hop scholar Dr. Marc classes began at the Turlock campus with 15 faculty and less Lamont Hill both spoke of the importance of public service than 800 students. Since then, we have grown to more than and being active participants in an ever-changing world. As 8,600 students. Dr. Hill said, “We can never move forward unless we appreci- ate the struggle.” CSU Stanislaus has seen its academic reputation grow as well. The Princeton Review ranked the University among the Today’s economy has been a struggle for years, not only for nation’s best 373 colleges. The American Association of State the University, but for the entire state. We have all had to Colleges and Universities placed CSU Stanislaus among the make difficult decisions, and more lie ahead. This past year nation’s 12 most outstanding graduation and retention rates. has forced us to become a leaner, more efficient university. Once we start to feel the results of an economic turnaround In addition to growing in size and reputation, recently the and return to growth mode, this time of limited resources and University benefitted from its most successful fundraiser ever. constant evaluation will help us determine how best to serve The Foundation’s 50th Anniversary Fundraising Gala netted students and this region. more than $211,000 in cash for student scholarships. Demand for tickets was so high, the fundraiser sold out within two Thank you for supporting CSU Stanislaus and its efforts to weeks, then seating capacity was expanded and more tickets serve students and the region. I look forward to seeing you at were sold. I was pleased to see so many alumni at the fund- the next major event on campus. raiser. In these difficult economic times, when people have less to give, it was a big success. We have also continued the tradition of bringing notable and diverse voices to campus. In addition to the well-publicized keynote address by Governor Sarah Palin at the gala, we heard Hamid Shirvani, Ph.D. 6 STAN UNIVERSITY NEWS LiSTEN TO YOUR ART Spring audiences took in Choral, wind, and jazz ensemble perfor- free May 5-9 performances of “A Midsum- music and shakespeare mances by University faculty and students mer Night’s Dream” in the University were featured at an April 15 Golden Gala Amphitheatre. More than 500 people this year at the golden Concert hosted by the Turlock Concert turned out on opening night to see the gala concert and outdoor Association at the Turlock Community play that featured impressive acting, Theatre as part of the CSU Stanislaus 50th elaborate costumes, and a dazzling set. performances of “A Mid- Anniversary celebration. Nearly 700 Chartwell’s provided food and drink Summer Night’s Dream” people turned out for the program concessions, and many in the audience highlighted by world premiers of composi- enjoyed picnic dinners under the stars tions by Music faculty members Deborah during the performances. Kavasch and Daniel Afonso, Jr. The $5,000 in proceeds from the concerts will go toward student scholarships. More than 4,000 people were entertained by members of the Theatre Department at Eric Braojos, playing the role of Demitrius, stands on stage in the Amphitheatre while taking part in the school play “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” fall |2010 7 CSU STANISLAUS RECEIVES COMMENDATIONS IN RENEWAL OF ACCREDITATION Following what was deemed a successful WASC team visit was the presentation of a COLLEGE OF Ed. visit by the Western Association of Schools documentary film produced by the DRAWS PRAISE IN and Colleges (WASC) review team in March Office of Communications & Public and an intensive multi-year process, CSU Affairs titled “Learning is Paramount.” REACCREdiTATION Stanislaus celebrated a strong evaluation The DVD included comments from in July 2010 with a full reaccreditation of faculty and students about the effec- its academic programs. tiveness of teaching at CSU Stanislaus, and can be viewed on the University “I extend congratulations and special web site at www.csustan.edu. The CSU Stanislaus College of Education appreciation to our faculty, staff, and has worked diligently over the past two administration for continuing to develop CSU Stanislaus was commended by the years to put together a successful bid for and deliver high quality academic programs WASC team in its follow-up report for the national and state reaccreditation that will and services that enabled us to earn this University’s innovative and effective conclude in Fall 2010 with the official important reaffirmation of the excellence method for conducting its accreditation approval of the program’s quality from a of CSU Stanislaus,” President Hamid review, and for broad engagement and pair of accreditation agencies. Shirvani said. “This process has brought commitment to the success of students by together our entire University in support faculty and staff. Also drawing praise were Two separate reports were prepared under of our academic mission.” the faculty development program, aca- the direction of coordinator Oddmund demic assessment practices, and creation Myhre, a member of the Department of The full reaccreditation is the culmination of the Student Success Committee that Advanced Studies in Education faculty who of extensive review and evaluation of CSU has improved academic