3180 CSUMB Magazine – Spring/Summer 2011

MAGAZINE & ALUMNI NEWS

SPRING/SUMMER 2011

Film programin the limelight ‘TAT’ students are making their mark in the industry and in the community

2 SPRING/SUMMER 2011 CSUMB.EDU/news

A MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT HARRISON

Dr. Dianne F. Harrison

This twice-yearly magazine is all about pride – the university’s pride in its progress, and what I hope is your pride as an alum or supporter who feels connected to us. Each issue highlights the many exciting things happening on our campus: Stories about student achievement represent the success of many more students like them. News of our faculty’s pro-fessional accomplishments is a sampling of their varied and important work. Alumni “class notes” are a glimpse of our graduates’ contributions through careers and service.In this edition, you’ll read how students in our Teledramatic Arts &

Technology Department are preparing to achieve at the highest level in the competitive fields of film and television. Another article is an update on our new library, which has proven to be a fantastic academic resource and a gathering place for our students. We describe how a commu-nity partner, the Graniterock company, joined with our Mathematics Department to prepare middle school students to excel in high school algebra and beyond. And, of course, we are thrilled to celebrate a historic season for the Otters women’s basketball team, which was nationally ranked and competed in the NCAA tournament.All of this is part of the larger and very exciting story of CSU Monterey

Bay that continues to unfold as we prepare for our 15th annual Com-mencement. At a time of financial difficulty, when Californians are be-ing asked to reconsider their priorities, we count on your support for this university and for higher education in general. We look forward to many more opportunities to share news about academic achievement, educa-tional excellence and community partnerships. I know we will continue to accomplish a great deal for our students and the communities we serve, especially with your help.

Sincerely,

Dianne F. Harrison, Ph.D.

Dear friends of CSU Monterey Bay,

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SPRING/SUMMER 2011 3CSUMB.EDU/news

VOL. IV NO. 1EDItOrScott Faust

WrItErSJoan Weiner Molly NanceDon PorterMike Hornick

DESIGNErJoan Iguban-Galiguis

8 StUDENtS Profiles of three academic standouts on unique

personal journeys 13-15 UNIVErSItY NEWS President Harrison

travels to the Mideast, students compete in a nationwide recycling

competition, and three new coaches join the Athletic Department

17-20 ALUMNI NEWS Board president’s letter and class notes

The university’s new philanthropic foundation has in-stalled its first board of directors and will oversee receipt and distribution of charitable giving to support growth and development in service to students.

11 directors set

The Teledramatic Arts & Technol-ogy Department, or TAT, continues to produce graduates who are well-prepared to find success in a com-petitive film and video industry.

The Graniterock company sponsored a math camp for Watsonville students that will help them succeed in their future math studies.

4-7 FiLM ProGrAM sHiNes

10 ALGeBrA AcAdeMY MAKes LeArNiNG MAtH FUN

Ron

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12 The Otters women’s basketball team’s historic 27-4 season earned them the CCAA championship and a trip to the NCAA West Regional tournament.

Senior guard London Houchin makes a fast break during the

Otters’ March 11 defeat of Dixie State in the first round of the

NCAA Division II West Regional at Cal Poly Pomona. Behind her

are teammates senior Michelle Santizo, left, and sophomore

Jessica Fontenette.

departments

features

The Tanimura & Antle Family Me-morial Library has become a central gathering place on campus, both for studying and for socializing.

9 NeW LiBrArY BriNGs cAMPUs toGetHer

CSUMB Magazine & Alumni News is published twice-yearly for donors, friends and alumni of Cali-fornia State University, Monterey Bay by the Depart-ment of Strategic Communications, which supports communication and fundraising. Contact us at 831-582-3945 or [email protected] to com-ment on this publication.

ON thE COVEr

Teledramatic Arts & Technology student Daniele De-Marco, left, is photographed with fellow TAT major Jordan Rodriguez.

Photo by randy tunnell


COVER STORY

Chris Carpenter, media production specialist for the Teledramatic Arts & Technology Department, demonstrates use of a

video camera to TAT students (from left) Shantel Byrd, J. J. Melancon and Ryan Elam in the department's studio.

Sharing a vision,making a differenceExperienced professionals prepare film grads to set their sights high


acclaim and produce graduates who find success in the varied and competitive world of film and video.TAT integrates a sense of community

into each aspect of student experience, from collaborative filmmaking and festivals to service projects in neighboring cities. A strong alumni network spreads that sense of community to places like Los Angeles, supporting new grads as they seek employment. Students get involved quickly – getting

their hands on cameras and editing gear early.“You can start making films in your

freshman year, where you wouldn’t touch a camera in most schools ’til you’re a junior,” said Janaye Brown, a 2010 gradu-ate. She is now pursuing a Master of Fine Arts at the University of Texas, Austin, where she earned a David J. Bruton Fel-lowship. TAT resources more than suffice for

the 163 students now in the program, said J.J. Melancon, a senior who aspires to start a production company on the Monterey Peninsula. “There are four different buildings you’re able to edit in – and great production facilities,” he said.Faculty and staff

resources are equally varied.“A lot of teachers

are or were profes-sionals in the field, so they have connec-tions,” said Adam Younkin, a senior.For example, a

TAT project, the Monterey Bay Film Society, employs Mike Plante, the associate programmer for the Sundance Film Festival as creative director. “He brings an unending stream of interna-tionally renowned filmmakers to visit,”

said Enid Baxter Blader, TAT depart-ment chair. “He’s also visited our Capstone classes,”

Blader said, referring to senior students’ thesis project. “Each senior got to pitch film ideas and get feedback from him one-on-one.”The traffic heads Sundance’s way, too.

Two films by Cal State Monterey Bay alumni – Doug Mueller ’03 and the team of Robert Machoian ’07 and Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck ’09 – have screened at the prestigious festival in the past two years.The senior-year projects culminate in

the semi-annual, on-campus Capstone Festival, set for May 20. Last year filmgo-ers filled the university’s 427-seat World Theater to view narrative, documentary and experimental films. “It’s absolutely electric,” Blader said.

“It’s not only family and friends; it’s really the community coming out for this. That’s unusual for an undergraduate institution.”Other events nearby provide opportuni-

ties for TAT students to screen their films or gain curating experience. Student films have shown at two Carmel festi-

vals, in June and October; at Sand City’s West End Festival; and at the Blue Ocean and First Night events in Monterey.TAT started the

annual Monterey Bay Film Festival, held this year on April 9. Launched in 2008, it now draws about 300 entries for the teen program. Besides

California, they come from such places as El Salvador and Armenia. Plante brings a collection of programs, some straight from Sundance.

COVER STORY

CSUMB.EDU/news

By Mike Hornick

In advance of the 2010 Sundance Film Festival, an online film jour-nal called IndieWIRE.com took

note of the “considerable buzz” being generated by the film school at Cal State Monterey Bay and other places some-what “off the beaten path.”“Forget about USC or UCLA,” the

article said.CSUMB’s answer to traditional film

schools – known as the Teledramatic Arts & Technology Department, or TAT – continues to create buzz, win

TAT Department Chair Enid Baxter

Blader prepares materials for a

presentation to migrant youth.

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COVER STORY

The festival’s budget was held together at first by duct tape and paper clips, but it has recently benefited greatly from grants and private donations. “Students get to see what it’s like to cu-

rate and produce a film festival,” Blader said. “They form relationships with visiting filmmakers who become mentors to them.”Rachel Asendorf, a senior, was a

producer’s assistant for last year’s Young Filmmakers program, part of the MBFF.“I watched all the footage and helped

categorize things,” she said. “We pick which teen films will be in the festival. I wrangled people for interviews and made sure everyone checked in. This semester I hope to be stage manager.”Students’ interaction with teens – and

sometimes children – becomes more direct in the department’s projects in service learning, which integrates the experience of public service into the academic major.“I love making films, but I found what

I really wanted to do was impact youths’ lives in any way I could – by telling sto-ries or just being a friend or role model,” said Juan Ramirez, a 2009 graduate. His service learning project, “Concrete Para-digm,” documented the struggles and hopes of detainees in Monterey County Juvenile Hall. “Concrete Paradigm” won awards

for Ramirez and co-director Stephen Sprague at several film festivals. The se-quel, “Letters from Within,” was tapped for a March 19 screening at the Inter-

national Family Film Festival in Hol-lywood. Ramirez, who has since become TAT’s community outreach coordinator, is making a third film, “Trojans Under the Helmet,” that looks at social pressures in Salinas through the eyes of athletes.“We didn’t just film,” Ramirez said of

the juvenile hall projects. “We taught workshops there for a whole year. We got to know them and were mentors.”Added Blader, “The workshops teach

teens to value their own stories. They cre-

ate interconnectedness and hope for kids who feel alone. Juvenile Hall has about a 95 percent recidivism rate; anecdotally we know the incidence is lower for teens we’ve served. “Some have ended up in adult programs

for filmmaking. They decided, ‘This is what I want to do.’ That’s powerful.”For her service project, Brown led a

filmmaking class for teens at the Salinas Public Library and overcame nervousness about taking the role of teacher.Not every TAT student wants to work

in the conventional film industry. Me-linda DeRouen, a 2005 graduate, still shoots video but focuses on stage-acting and radio work. And the film work of Brown and Ojeda-Beck – who’s now in graduate school at the University of California, Berkeley – is geared as much to galleries as to theaters. “(TAT) exposed me to experimen-

tal media,” Brown said. “A lot of that exists in the art world. Had I not gone to CSUMB, I might have worked in a traditional film program.”

'ABOvE THE AvERAgE'

TAT doesn’t just look at filmmaking, Blader said.“There’s a confluence between film and

multiple histories of storytelling,” she said. “We’re looking at the histories of the-

ater, performance, art and avant-garde image-making. This approach gives our students a visual fluency that sets them above the average. This is why they are recognized at international film festivals.”Graduates working in such commer-

cial film centers as Hollywood and San Francisco say the breadth of experience gained at Cal State Monterey Bay helped get their careers off the ground. “I thought I just wanted to write and

direct, but TAT opened my eyes to ev-erything that was out there.” said Justin Bloch, a 2004 grad who now edits for the

2003 TAT graduate Doug Mueller is pictured on location in North Dakota during

production of his film, "Prairie Love," shown at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival.

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COVER STORY

Discovery Channel in Hollywood. “Because I was familiar with both

production and postproduction, I helped organize the structures here. It was all something I had done before.”Like many TAT graduates, Bloch has

experience in reality TV. He spent a few seasons at the Fox hit “Hell’s Kitchen.” More recently he edited a new show, “Enough Already,” for the Oprah Win-frey network.

gRADS REACH BACK

TAT grads are a tight-knit bunch. An alumni reunion is slated this spring for a Sunset Boulevard venue.“I’ve gotten and given job leads for

TAT students,” Bloch said. “In L.A., we help each other. I’ve become used to hearing (managers) say they’ll hire someone from the same school. They say I’m useful.”Said Blader, “It’s more than references.

They hire each other and help each other make their projects, too.”Shawn Hovis is help-desk coordinator

for Pixar Animation Studios in Em-eryville. It’s an information technology job, but Pixar offers him occasional filmmaking opportunities. His live-action short “Play by Play”

won the Children’s Choice Award at the Bay Area International Children’s Film Festival and has been accepted to the Cleveland International Film Festival.“Whether you make it or not, much of

it is luck,” Hovis said. “But you have to generate things from yourself. TAT gets you going, but they expect a lot out of you.”As 2010 ended, 2001 Oscar-winning

grad David Kashevaroff began a four-month, on-location stint in Vancouver, B.C., as first assistant editor for the moon-landing thriller “Apollo 18,” due out in April.“It’s a unique movie in that they’re

Teledramatic Arts & Technology majorThese are examples of major learning outcomes expected for students graduating with a

B.A. degree in Teledramatic Arts & Technology:

•Gain an overview of media and foundational skills in storytelling, media criticism,

history, ethics and application of knowledge in service to the community.

•Analyze major historical movements of film and their interrelationships with each

other and with technological, social and historical changes.

•Practice and gain competency in developing written and visual content through

such processes as research, proposal writing, story treatments, storyboarding, script

writing and planning of production details.

•Learn the production process in creation of live and media-based work.

•Prepare work for media-based production and live events, which may include

editing, graphics, special effects, image enhancement, audio mixing, etc.

•Present work to an audience via publishing, broadcasting, internet streaming,

documentation, screening and other distribution channels.

•Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge in media through completion of a creative

project that synthesizes the major learning outcomes.

TAT student Daniele DeMarco assists a middle school student during a film

workshop as part of a Migrant Youth Day program at Cal State Monterey Bay.

shooting and editing in a short period,” Kashevaroff said.Other TAT graduates have worked on

such recent commercial films as “Cora-line” and the latest installments of “Toy Story,” “Terminator” and “Star Trek.”Bloch said TAT taught him how to col-

laborate with others on a project.

“Everyone has a small part that makes up the larger production,” he said. “Working in L.A., I see people who lose sight of that and fall flat on their face.“A lot of people here only know post-

production, so they don’t even talk to people in production. TAT students are able to bridge that gap.”

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Helping businesses succeedArturo Contreras has a knack

for helping small businesses prosper. As a junior consultant at California State University, Monterey Bay's Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Contreras helps entrepreneurs create a blueprint for success. A Gonzales native who

transferred to CSUMB from Hartnell College in Salinas, he has worked at the SBDC in his hometown for a year. His clients include plumbers, salon owners and bookkeepers.The work also lets him practice concepts he learned in

courses: financial management, competitor analysis and marketing research. “By helping a small number of businesses we are actually making a big difference,” he said. After graduation in May, Contreras hopes to work at a local

accounting firm and eventually be a certified public accoun-tant with his own firm.

Fellowship to open doorsTodd Hallenbeck will

complete his master’s degree in Coastal and Watershed Science & Policy this spring. A San Jose native, Hallenbeck is also the recipient of a Sea-Grant West Coast Governor’s Agreement Fellowship. This fellowship allows him

to work with state and federal agencies for two years, implementing progressive regional marine policy off the coast of California, Oregon and Wash-ington. Hallenbeck’s master’s thesis, concerning the distribution of

biological communities in soft sediment habitats of Monterey Bay, helped prepare him for that challenge.“This will be an incredible opportunity to witness firsthand

how science translates to policy,” Hallenbeck said, “and will put to good use all the skills and experiences I have gained from being at CSUMB.”– Molly Nance

Former Army medic plans health careerBy Molly Nance

Heather Cusson’s local roots run deep, but a circuitous route brought her to Cal State Monterey Bay.She grew up in Carmel Valley. Her father was stationed

at Fort Ord during the Vietnam War. Her uncle graduated from CSUMB. She received a scholarship from the Fort Ord Alumni Association.And now Cusson, 26, is a junior transfer student at the uni-

versity, majoring in Collaborative Health & Human Services (CHHS). She hopes to become a public health nurse, a goal inspired by two tours in Afghanistan as an Army medic.Her experience in Afghanistan – treating wounded soldiers

and administering medical care to locals in remote villages – reinforced her passion to pursue a career in health care.Cusson completed an associate’s degree at Monterey Penin-

sula College in 2010 and then decided to pursue a degree at CSUMB while awaiting a spot in MPC’s school of nursing. “I believe the CHHS department really promotes making

a positive impact in the community,” she said. “A career in health and human services will provide me with a sense of service, similar to what I felt in the Army.”Cusson said that although the return to civilian life has its

challenges, she feels supported as a veteran coming back to complete her education.“As far as the everyday transition, I’m still confronting issues

of post-traumatic stress,” she said. “However, I feel like I’m lucky to live in a community that acknowledges and supports my struggles as a veteran.”

STUDENTS

Heather Cusson Arturo Contreras

Todd Hallenbeck

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It is also home to the Undergraduate Research Opportuni-ties Center, the University Writing Program, the Academic Skills Achievement Center and the Student Success Center.“We talk about the library as the ‘living room’ of the uni-

versity,” said library director Bill Robnett. “It’s the intersec-tion of campus life.”With a three-story atrium, the building feels expansive.

Students can check out laptops and are encouraged to re-arrange furniture to suit their needs. The library is also active at night, as both a social hangout and a place to study. “We have people who seem to live here all the time,” Rob-

nett said. It is especially beneficial for commuter students.Some faculty members maintain office hours in the library,

and staff members hold meetings there. The café is a popular place for those purposes.When asked about his “wish list,” Robnett doesn’t hesitate

to answer.“An endowment to support the academic collection is an

urgent need,” he said. “When I say ‘collection,’ I mean all kinds of formats, not just books. We want to get into more multiple-platform content.”Many students are pleased with the library just the way it is.“The other library – we’d go in there to study and it was

dark and uninviting,” said junior Madison Gipe. “This one is really geared for students. And they serve the best coffee. I’m in here nearly every day.”

HORIZONS

Janet Rumsey, a junior from San Francisco, puts in some study

time in the library.

Study hallNew library is all things to all people

By Joan Weiner

F rom the moment it opened at 8 a.m. on Dec. 1, 2008, the Tanimura & Antle Family Memorial Library has been the center of student life at Cal State Monterey Bay.

Having watched construction for two years, students lined up to get their first look inside the 136,000-square-foot structure. They rolled through the doors in numbers that shattered records at the old library. Those numbers have been climbing ever since.The library features three classrooms, two auditoriums, 11 group

study areas (that can be reserved online), multimedia equipment and an area designated for lessons in information literacy, along with the stacks of books, periodicals and electronic information. A café and lounge spaces are also part of the building. In addition,

the university’s information technology Help Desk provides real-time tech support to library users.

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Library at a glanceThe Tanimura & Antle Family Memorial Library is at

the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Divarty Street, with

parking accessible from Divarty.

Ways to help

•Tobuyabookforthelibraryfromitswishlist,visit

CSUMB.EDU/alumni and click on Giving Back.

•Namingopportunitiesstillexistforlibraryspaces.

Contact Executive Director of University Development

Mike Mahan at 582-3366 or [email protected].

hours and parking

•Duringtheschoolyear,thelibraryisopen8a.m. to

midnight Monday through Thursday; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

on Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday; and 2 p.m.

to midnight on Sunday.

• Hours vary during finals, the summer and holidays.

A schedule is available at CSUMB.EDU/library.

•Public visitors must purchase a parking pass from

machines on the lots. Cost is 50 cents per hour.


COMMUNITY

CSUMB.EDU/news

Math major and aspiring teacher Karen Martinez assists a middle school student

during the Algebra Academy at Cal State Monterey Bay.

Dozens of students from Roll-ing Hills Middle School in Watsonville voluntarily spent

their last week of winter break studying algebra – and having fun.The Algebra Academy was held at the

headquarters of the Graniterock company in Watsonville from Jan. 3 through 6. On Friday of that week, the youngsters spent the day on the campus of Cal State Monterey Bay and then returned to Graniterock for a graduation ceremony on Saturday.CSUMB math faculty member Dr.

Hongde Hu and lecturer Lorraine

O’Shea taught the classes, assisted by four university students.The goal was to get students up to speed

with standards recently adopted by the California Department of Education that mandate preparation in algebra. The students worked with tablet PCs provided to CSUMB by Hewlett Packard as part of an EdTech Innovators grant it awarded the university last year – one of only 10 given out worldwide.Graniterock CEO Bruce Woolpert and

assistant general counsel Kevin Jeffery spearheaded the academy. The company has worked with Roll-

ing Hills for four years, sending tutors from the company to help with English, art, math and science, as well as hosting events such as awards ceremonies for stu-dents who get good grades. “The academy is also intended to build

a strong math foundation through hands-on activities with algebra applica-tions in the real world,” Dr. Hu said.Among the problems students worked

on were figuring the odds of winning a state lottery and determining why Cali-fornia license plates need three letters.At CSUMB, the middle school stu-

dents spent time in a math classroom where they played a game called “Sur-vivor: Math Camp” that called on the skills they learned earlier in the week. They also got a campus tour, ate in the dining hall and learned what steps they should follow to prepare for college. Their campus visit clearly made an

impression. Some indicated the experi-ence made them want to attend college, especially CSUMB.Rolling Hills principal Rick Ito appre-

ciated the opportunity for his students to participate in the program.“I think the important thing is that

students have seen math in a different way,” Ito said. “It’s not just in a class-room. It’s all around us.”He also complimented the work of the

CSUMB students.“The four teaching assistants really

made a connection with the students,” Ito said. “They’re a bridge between the professors and the youngsters, and they’ve done a great job.”

Math, revealedGraniterock sponsors six-day Algebra Academy

By Joan Weiner

How to helpTo support a CSUMB-staffed

academic opportunity for students,

contact Executive Director of Univ-

eristy Development Mike Mahan at

582-3366 or [email protected].

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Foundation sets course Board to oversee philanthropy

By Scott Faust

The new Foundation of California State University, Monterey Bay is bringing community and campus leaders together to foster support for the university’s

philanthropic needs and goals.A 10-member board of directors meets in public at least quar-

terly to review progress, build support for educational programs and facilities, and promote awareness and understanding of CSUMB’s higher education mission.President Dianne Harrison, who invited the initial directors,

also serves on the board. Mike Mahan, executive director of university development, serves as the foundation’s chief executive

officer, and Salinas attorney Robert Taylor is chair. Directors in-clude community members, faculty and student representatives.“The foundation is focused on where the community sees the

university going – how the community can support the univer-sity, and how it will support the community,” Mahan said.Incorporated as a nonprofit in April 2009, the foundation will

provide stewardship of charitable gifts to help fulfill the univer-sity’s mission. The foundation has taken over philanthropic oversight from the

University Corporation at Monterey Bay, which still manages CSUMB’s auxiliary business operations. The foundation will be able to make private support its “sole focus,” Mahan said.Dr. Harrison said she is grateful for the directors’ service and

their substantial contribution to the the university.“We are fortunate to

have such a distinguished group of individuals who are willing to lend their expertise, their perspec-tive and their support,” she said. “They reflect the varied and broad com-munities we serve and value so greatly.”

PHILANTHROPY

Beverly Hamilton

Director

dr. dianne Harrison

President/Director

Frederick Kennifer

Director

Michael Mahan

CEO/Director

Joanne Bauer

Director

robert taylor

Chairman/Treasurer

dr. Patricia tinsley-McGill

Faculty Director

robert Johnson

Secretary

edward sena

Student Director

Mary Kay crockett

Director

Board of Directors

To learn moreFor information on the

Foundation of California State

University, Monterey Bay,

contact Mike Mahan, executive

director of university develop-

ment, at 582-3366 or by email

to [email protected].


ATHLETICS

The Cal State Monterey Bay women’s basketball team celebrates its California Collegiate Athletic Association championship on

March 1 following a victory over Sonoma State in the Kelp Bed at the Otter Sports Center.

Making a habit of victoryOtters’ historic run gains CCAA conference championship, national ranking and NCAA bid

By Scott Faust

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For months, it seemed they couldn’t lose. Even when the Otters women’s basketball team finally

fell to top rival Cal Poly Pomona after 16 straight victo-ries, they bounced back to win 11 of their next 14.By season’s end, the women had dramatically raised the bar

for Cal State Monterey Bay basketball: an unprecedented 27-4 record, a championship in the California Collegiate Athletic As-sociation conference, a No. 19 national ranking, Division II’s top defense, a ticket to the NCAA West Regional tournament, and three players named all-conference. “This is the most unselfish team I’ve ever been a part of as a

player or a coach, and I think that’s what got us to the point we are this season,” said head coach Renee Jimenez, who was named CCAA Coach of the Year. “They stayed away from each other’s

strengths and completed each other’s weaknesses.”The Otters claimed the CCAA title outright and nearly won the

conference tournament, losing to rival Cal Poly Pomona in the final. They crushed Dixie State in the first round of the regional and then went cold against Grand Canyon University.“In the locker room, I told them, ‘You followed the game plan

absolutely perfectly, and the ball just didn’t drop tonight,’” Jimenez said. “A few more shots drop, and it’s a ball game.”She’s not betting on another 16-0 start, but a dozen returning

players and strong freshmen will create a fun, exciting and suc-cessful team next season, she said.“I do think that next year’s team is going to peak at just the

right time to make a run through the NCAA tournament,” Jimenez said.


UNIVERSITY NEWS

President Harrison travels to Jordan and oman

santa cruz attorney honors family member with gift of boat

This 46-foot Hatteras sport fishing yacht, donated to

CSUMB’s marine science program in December, will be used

for seafloor mapping research.

California State University, Monterey Bay President Dianne Har-

rison was on a trip to Jordan and Oman from March 24 to April

8 as one of seven college and university leaders selected for the

2011 Fulbright-Hays Seminars Abroad Program.

The seminar was an opportunity for them to learn about the

changing higher education scene in the Arab world and return

home to share opportunities for future program development in

the region with their respective campuses.

Dr. Harrison and the other presidents planned to meet with

campus leaders in both countries to discuss institutional missions,

resources, challenges and opportunities to work with American

partners. The trip provided an opportunity to refine and expand

the international vision and agenda of Cal State Monterey Bay

and the California State University system.

“Seminar members will undoubtedly develop a better under-

standing of these countries’ institutions of higher education,” Dr.

Harrison said before her journey. “As we share expertise and

gain knowledge, we also will be helping to break what President

Obama has called

a ‘cycle of suspicion

and discord’ between

the United States and

Muslims worldwide.”

She pointed out

that a major objec-

tive of participating

in the seminar is the

chance to develop and

strengthen international exchanges and opportunities for students

and faculty at Cal State Monterey Bay.

“I believe it is essential that we are inclusive of countries from

all parts of the world, and that includes the Middle East,” Dr.

Harrison said. “Our students and faculty can benefit by establish-

ing partnerships with universities in the Middle East. By having

their students come to the United States and to California, we

also add to our existing diversity on our campus.”

The lives of Santa Cruz attorney Paul Meltzer and his

great-grandfather, Harold Heath, barely overlapped, but the

stories of the marine scientist lived on in the family history.

In honor of Heath, one of the first professors at Stanford,

Meltzer donated a 46-foot Hatteras sport fishing yacht to

CSUMB’s marine science program.

The university’s marine science faculty and students will

use the vessel bearing Heath’s name to complete a project

mapping the seafloor of California’s waters as well as other

types of research.

Their marine habitat survey work has been instrumental

in the ongoing California Seafloor Mapping Project, an

effort to create the first comprehensive, high-resolution map

of California’s state waters – from the shoreline out three

nautical miles. Final products will include maps showing the

seafloor and coastal geology in unprecedented detail.

“This vessel ... is ideally suited for taking students and staff

to sea to do data acquisition,” said Dr. Rikk Kvitek, director

of the Seafloor Mapping Lab at CSUMB.

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csUMB leaders help spread gospel of higher education

Parishioners at three local churches got more than a sermon on

Feb. 20. They got a pitch for the value of a college education —

straight from the pulpit.

President Dianne Harrison, Provost Kathy Cruz-Uribe and Vice

President for Student Affairs Ronnie Higgs visited churches in

Seaside and Pacific Grove as part of a California State Univer-

sity program called Super Sunday.

Administrators across the CSU system fanned out to more than

100 black churches to spread the gospel of higher education

and encourage more African-Americans to attend college.

Dr. Harrison reminded the congregation at Greater Victory

Temple in Seaside that CSUMB “is your hometown university.”

Dr. Cruz-Uribe visited Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Sea-

side, and Dr. Higgs spoke at the First Baptist Church of Pacific

Grove.

otter Athletics hires threenew coaches in past yearThe university Athletic Department has hired experienced

coaches to lead the baseball, cross-country and men’s soccer

programs.

Walter White, a former assistant baseball coach at Sonoma

State University who also played professional baseball, is now in

his first year with the Otters. Athletic Director Vince Otoupal said

White’s “reputation as a teacher and recruiter is impressive.” He

has a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from Sonoma State and

a master’s in education from the University of Phoenix.

In March, Otoupal announced selection of Rob Cummings as

head men’s soccer coach. Cummings was associate head coach

at Midwestern State (Texas) for the past four seasons, includ-

ing two Final Four appearances and four Lone Star Conference

crowns. Otoupal called him “a proven winner” whose teams

have record of success on and off the field. Cummings has a

bachelor’s degree in education from Lindenwood University and

an MBA from Rockhurst University.

Cross country coach Greg Rhines was hired last summer to

direct both the men’s and women’s teams. In his previous year as

coach at San Joaquin Delta College, he guided the women to a

top 15 ranking in the state. Rhines, who also coached at the high

school level, has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Sacra-

mento State University and a master’s in counseling psychology

from John F. Kennedy University.

students weighing in onrecycleMania competitionGlass, plastic containers, paper and aluminum cans – they all

have their place at CSUMB. And it’s not in trash cans.

Campus recycling efforts got a big boost in the fall of 2009,

when each room in the residence halls and all East Campus

apartments were equipped with bright blue recycling bins –

3,100 in all. That’s also when the university’s custodial contract

was updated to include emptying of desk-side recycling bins.

This year, CSUMB is measuring itself against other universities

when it comes to recycling. As part of a commitment to reduce

its carbon footprint, the university is making its first competitive

appearance in the

annual RecycleMania

competition.

RecycleMania is a

nationwide, friendly

student-led competi-

tion that pits 630

colleges and universi-

ties to see which can

reduce, reuse and

recycle the most campus waste relative to its size.

Throughout the 10 weeks, CSUMB will report its recycling and

trash weights and be ranked on RecycleMania’s results page.

With each week’s reports and rankings, as results fluctuate, the

campus community will make a concerted effort to reduce and

recycle even more.

UNIVERSITY NEWS

President Harrison joins nine CSUMB students and staff who

were recognized Feb. 20 for their outreach and tutoring

service at greater victory Temple in Seaside.

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Governmental relations director joins staff Justin Wellner joined

CSUMB as director of

governmental and exter-

nal relations in January.

Wellner came to the

university from Van

Scoyoc Associates

in Washington, D.C.,

where he was manager

of government relations,

directing the federal advocacy agenda for educa-

tion clients, including the Coalition of Urban Serving

Universities.

He worked on policy and legislative issues related to

higher education such as STEM (Science, Technology,

Engineering and Mathematics), standards and assess-

ment, teachers, access and persistence, and research

and development.

Wellner is responsible for advancing the university’s

priorities on the local, state and federal levels.

His position will cover a range of duties including

advocacy, policy analysis, land use and FORA issues,

and liaison with local municipalities, as well as over-

sight of Strategic Communications.

President Harrison gets national responsibilitiesCSUMB President Dianne Harrison has recently ac-

cepted several positions with national organizations.

In late February, Dr. Harrison was appointed to the

board of directors of the Association of American Col-

leges and Universities (AAC&U). She is one of seven

educational leaders from a wide array of institutions to

join the board. The AAC&U is a national association

concerned with the quality, vitality and public standing

of undergraduate liberal education. Its membership

includes more than 1,200 public and private schools.

Dr. Harrison has also been elected to the National

Collegiate Athletic Association Division II Presidents

Council.

The 15-member council, composed of presidents

and chancellors from member schools, is the chief

governing body for NCAA Division II athletics. Its

responsibilities include ratifying, amending or rescind-

ing actions of the Division II Management Council,

developing and approving budgets and expenditures,

and implementing policies and procedures pertaining

to Division II athletics.

She also serves on the NCAA’s Student-Athlete Advi-

sory Council as an ex-officio member representing the

Presidents Council.

Justin Wellner

DID UKNOW?

The Osher Life-long Learning Institute has more than 500 members this spring as it continues to offer varied, high-quality courses for adults “50 and better.”

The program, known as OLLI, had just 100 students when it began in 2007.

For informa-tion, call 831-582-5500 or visit csUMB.edU/olli.

UNIVERSITY NEWS

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department veteran named new campus police chief

Earl Lawson is sworn in Nov. 1 as the new chief of the University

Police Department in a ceremony at the University Center.

Earl Lawson is the university’s new chief of police. Lawson served

in a number of important roles since joining the University Police

Department in 1995, most recently as operations lieutenant and

briefly as interim police chief upon the retirement of former chief Fred

Hardee last June.

President Dianne Harrison said Lawson was selected for the breadth

of his experience, which includes special training in disaster pre-

paredness and collaboration with local law enforcement.

Lawson, who was sworn in Nov. 1, has a B.A. degree in sociology

from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. His extensive professional education

includes training at the FBI National Academy.

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SPRING/SUMMER 2011 15


csUMB faculty spotlight

RECOgNITION

Dr. Barbara Mossberg, director of the Integrated Stud-

ies program, was an official guest at the inauguration of Poet

Laureate W.S. Merwin, held at the Library of Congress. While

on sabbatical this year, Dr. Mossberg is Poet in Residence for

Pacific Grove. She is working with Pacific Grove High School on

“poetry that changed the world” and presented her play honor-

ing Emily Dickinson in December at the Pacific Grove Library.

Dr. Forrest Melton, a research scientist at CSUMB who is

working with NASA Ames, was recently honored by the state

Department of Water Resources for his ongoing research assis-

tance on climate change. He was recognized for his work on a

project funded by the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act

to explore the potential for developing water resources applica-

tions from NASA remote-sensing data.

PROJECTS

Dr. Brad Barbeau, assistant professor of economics and en-

trepreneurship in the School of Business, has been commissioned

by the Grower Shipper Association of Central California to study

the cost to growers of implementing proposed new water quality

regulations. The study is intended to identify the direct and indi-

rect impacts of monitoring and reporting requirements.

PUBLICATIONS

Dr. Maria Villasenor, as-

sistant professor in the Division of

Humanities and Communication,

and two of her students have had

an article accepted for publication

in the Journal of College Student

Retention: Research, Theory and

Practice. The article, “Mujerista

Mentoring for Chicanas/Latinas in

Higher Education,” was co-written

with Imelda Munoz and Maria Reyes. Both are McNair Scholars,

a nationwide program to increase the number of underrepresent-

ed, low-income and first-generation students who earn doctoral

degrees.

Dr. David Anderson, professor of history, is editor of “The

Columbia History of the Vietnam War,” published last fall by

Columbia University Press. Since last November’s election, Dr.

Anderson has served as the political analyst for television sta-

tions KION and KCBA. He has helped viewers understand the

situation in the Middle East, the labor dispute in Wisconsin, and

Gov. Jerry Brown’s State of the State address.

Dr. Steve Moore, professor of sci-

ence and environmental policy, and two

co-authors have written “Underwater

Robotics: Science, Design and Fabrica-

tion,” a textbook for advanced high

school classes as well as college and

university entry-level courses.

Dr. Kent Adams, chair of the Kinesiology Department, and

Dr. trish Sevene, assistant professor of kinesiology, have

recently published three articles in the Journal of Strength and

Conditioning Research. The articles focused on preventing inju-

ries, warm-up strategies for optimal athletic performance, and

assessing muscular power in older adults to help them age suc-

cessfully. Dr. Adams is collaborating with colleagues in Australia,

researching injury and motivation among older athletes.

Dr. Babita Gupta, professor in the School of Business, pub-

lished papers on organizational culture and technology use in

a developing country; global e-commerce; and applications for

mobile learning in higher education. She is associate editor for

the International Journal of Information and Communication Tech-

nology Education and is a member of the U.S. Small Business

Administration’s Information Security Task Force.

ART

Work by Johanna Poethig, professor of painting and public

art, was included in an exhibit at the Skyline College Art Gallery

in San Bruno on display in February and March. Entitled “Private

= Public,” the works looked at the connections – physical, stylistic

and conceptual – between public art projects and private studio

practice. Poethig’s work reflects an interest in establishing a

dialogue between the public and personal.

Dr. Umi Vaughan, assistant professor of Africana Studies,

was invited to Peru by the Peruvian North American Cultural

Institute during Black History Month. He spoke on the African

Diaspora, music and dance. The U.S. embassy took him on tour,

where he gave presentations in Afro-Peruvian communities.

CSUMB.EDU/news

FACULTY

Dr. Maria villasenor

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Stay connected: Join the Alumni Association

Members of the CSUMB Alumni Association enjoy

many benefits, including the Alma Otter e-newsletter,

invitations to exclusive alumni events, discounts to

campus athletic and entertainment events, car insur-

ance discounts, access to CSU libraries and a subscrip-

tion to this university magazine. To learn more or to join

the association, call 831-582-4723 or send an email to

[email protected].

Dear alumni, friends and family,April Lee

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ALUMNI ASSOCIAtION BOArD OF DIrECtOrS

PrESIDENtApril Lee ’07, Business Administration

VICE PrESIDENtMelody rico ’06, Earth Systems Science & Policy

ChIEF FINANCIAL OFFICErBrandon Wehman’08, Business Administration

SECrEtArYChristina Schmunk‘06, Earth Systems Science & Policy

and Math

DIrECtOrSManuel Arenivaz’03, Business Administration

hayley Azevedo’10, Business Administration

Casey Connor’08, Business Administration

traci Davis’05, Business Administration

Belia Garcia-Navarro’05, Liberal Studies

Justin Gomez ‘09, Business Administration

Stephanie Kister‘06, Earth Systems Science & Policy

John Scalla‘05, Telecommunications, Multimedia,

& Applied Computing

Chris Vasquez‘08, Management and Information

Technology

I often talk about the benefits of connecting to the Alumni Association and participating in one of the many activities on campus. The Have a Heart for Students Dinner and Auction is always a wonderful event, and I am pleased to say it was very successful again this year. I especially want to thank the members of the board of directors and all the alumni volunteers for their participation on Feb. 26. They, along with university staff and faculty, did an amazing job helping to raise funds for future scholarships. This is your alma mater, and I hope you will join me in making it as successful

as possible. Visiting our newly redesigned website, CSUMB.edU/alumni, is a means of staying connected to your fellow alums and the university as a whole. You can also stay engaged and find out about upcoming events by following CSUMB on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn or through our monthly e-newsletter. I have made the choice to remain active in our university through the Alumni

Association. I hope you will join me by choosing to continue the vision, give back and stay connected.

Sincerely,

April Lee, Business 2007President, CSUMB Alumni Association 2010-2011

Pilar Gose and Helen Meyers

Alumni Association staff


2010DENISSE URIBE (B.S.,

Business Administra-tion) is a business consultant at the CSUMB Small Business

Development Center in Gonzales. She helps small business owners succeed by assisting them with planning and budgeting. Uribe volunteers at the Alisal Center for the Fine Arts, El Sausal Middle School and Saint Theodore’s Church. She and her husband, Raul Mariscal, have a son, Joshua Mariscal, 2. They live in Gonzales.

2009ROBERT CAMP-

BELL (B.S., Business Administration) is a financial adviser for

Merrill Lynch. His duties include financial plan-ning and portfolio man-agement for high net worth individuals. He’s a member of the Rotary Club of Seattle and volunteers for a PGA professional who runs a children’s golf camp each summer. Camp-bell lives in Seattle.

2008LAUREN STROUD

(B.A., Social & Behavioral Sciences) is a help-desk coordi-nator at the Defense Manpower Data Center in Seaside. She earned

an M.S. in public safety with a specialization in criminal justice from Capella University in 2010. She’s pursuing a certificate in interdisci-plinary forensics from

the same institution. Stroud lives in Marina.

BRITNEA MOORE (B.A., Human Commu-nications) is the youth program coordinator and AAU eighth-grade basketball coach at the downtown Berkeley YMCA. She develops programs to engage youth in the community and help them develop interest and skills in sports, arts, music and education. Moore lives in Hayward.

DANA MALDONADO (B.A., Teledramatic Arts & Technology) expects to graduate with an M.A. in theatre arts from San José State this year. She’s a volunteer at the Cinequest Film Festival 2011. Maldo-nado lives in San Jose.

BEN MAYBERRY (B.A., Integrated Studies) is a graphic designer for the San Francisco 49ers football team. With his brother, they own a part-time business ven-ture called Bay Area Die Hards, an online sports apparel store. As a volunteer, Mayberry plans to work with the

Jr. Giants program, sponsored by the San Francisco Giants. He en-joys helping local youth baseball and football programs that help kids learn and grow through sports. Mayberry lives in San Jose.

KENDRA MILLER (B.S., Kinesiology) is the lead marketer for women’s soccer, basketball and lacrosse in the athletics department of Fresno State University. Miller earned an M.A. in kinesiology from San José State in 2009. She

volunteers as head of the Jr. Bulldog’s Kid’s Club. Miller lives in Fresno.

BRONWYNN LLOYD (B.A., Social & Behav-ioral) is a marketing assistant at Berkeley Communications, where she creates and manages marketing communication materi-als for clients. In 2010 she earned an MSc in paleopathology from Durham University in the United Kingdom. Lloyd is a member of the American As-sociation of Physical Anthropologists and the Paleopathology As-sociation. She lives in Alameda.

ERIK gREEN (B.A., Teledramatic Arts & Technology) is an assis-tant editor and second

camera operator for the History Channel’s “American Restoration” series. As a digital media specialist, he previously worked with Disney Channel promos, reality shows and feature films. He’s engaged to Beth Danna (B.S., ’08 Busi-ness). Green lives in Las Vegas.

2007REN HERRINg (B.S.,

Business Administra-tion) is a publicist at Rubenstein Public Relations in New York. He supports the firm’s clients by developing media relation cam-paigns and strategic communications plans. On a volunteer basis, he teaches public rela-tions and social media to seventh- and eighth-graders at a public school in the Bronx. Herring lives in New York City.

CHRISTIN gRICE (B.A., Social & Behavioral Sciences) is a marriage and family therapist intern at Chamberlain’s Mental Health Services, and a relief counselor at Caminar. He earned

an M.A. in counsel-ing psychology, with a couple and family therapy specialization, from John F. Kennedy University in 2010. Grice lives in San Jose.

KRYSTLYN (PEAIRS-LARSON) gIEDT (B.S., Telecommunications, Multimedia, & Ap-plied Computing) is the owner of KG Graphix. She designs logos, marketing materials

CLASS NOTES

KATY BJERKE (2010, B.A., Visual and Public Art) is the guest services manager and museum store manager at the National Steinbeck Center in Salinas. She has volunteered for the Women Alive! project at Dorothy’s Place and the Chinatown Renewal Project. Her fiancé, Paul VandeCarr (B.A., ’06 Visual and Public Art), is the collections curator at the Pacific Grove Natural History Museum. Bjerke lives in Pacific Grove.


CLASS NOTES

and websites for clients. Giedt also volunteers for the Monterey Bay User Group (MBUG), where she offers free Google presentations and workshops. She lives in Seaside with her husband, Tim Giedt.

2006RAM PAUL SILBEY

(B.A., Teledramatic Arts & Technology) is a freelance producer, assistant director and director. His duties vary from show to show, de-pending on the needs of a given project. He’s engaged to Kristina renelli (B.A., ’06 Liberal Studies). Silbey volunteers his technical talents to help students with their film projects, similar to Capstone projects at CSUMB. He lives in Burbank.

DAvID BAWIEC (B.S., Telecommunications, Multimedia, & Ap-plied Computing) is an animation and video specialist at Northrop Grumman Corpora-tion. He creates 3D animation, video and interactive multimedia productions for trade-show and customer presentations. Bawiec is a volunteer scuba diver for the Monterey Bay Aquarium and an

Adopt-a-Beach leader. He’s engaged to Lau-ren Foote (B.A., ’08 Liberal Studies). Bawiec lives in Sunnyvale.

AMBER (KHTEIAN) MCCARTHY (B.A., Teledramatic Arts & Technology) is a first grade English teacher at public and private

schools in Thailand. In 2009, she earned a teaching credential from CSUMB. When she lived in California, she volunteered for Ani-mal Friends Rescue Proj-ect and Trips for Kids, an after school biking program. Married to Joseph McCarthy, she lives in Surat Thani, Thailand.

2005MAC CLEMMENS (B.S.,

Telecommunications, Multimedia, & Applied Computing) is the CEO of Digital Deploy-ment, Inc., a company he started in 2004 while still a student at CSUMB. The com-pany’s services include website development, corporate branding and marketing services. Clients include Google, California Faculty As-sociation, California Hospital Association and California Bankers Association. He earned an MBA from UC Davis in 2007. Clemmens lives in Sacramento.

JOHN CHARTER (B.A., Teledramatic Arts & Technology) is a freelance producer and

editor for clients such as ESPN Action Sports and Red Bull. He also directs music videos for upcoming bands in

the Los Angeles area and has volunteered his technical talents to work on the crews of various public service commercials. Charter lives in Hollywood.

JUSTIN BLOCH (B.A., Teledramatic Arts & Technology) is the lead assistant editor at the West Coast headquar-ters of the Discovery Channel. After an episode is shot, he organizes and groups

the footage before the project goes into edit-ing. When visiting San Diego, Bloch volunteers his time to help at an orphanage in Tijuana, Mexico. He lives in Van Nuys.

2004JESSICA (NIXON)

LOEPER (B.A., Social & Behavioral Sciences) is a project manager at the Leonardo Academy, a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing sustain-ability. Previously a city planner for the city

of Anaheim, Loeper consults with building owners on energy-saving LEED (Leader-ship in Energy and Environmental Design) projects. She earned a master’s degree in urban and regional planning from UC

Irvine. Loeper and her husband, Paul Loeper, have a son, Charlie, 18 months. They live in Madison, Wis.

2003DOUgLAS MUELLER

(B.A., Teledramatic Arts & Technology) is production manager for the Carmel Bach Festival. He’s also a documentary film-maker, having recently produced “Prairie Love,” which had its world premiere in the Sundance Film Festival’s NEXT competition. The film was shot in North Dakota in sub-zero weather. It was one of eight films selected for its innovative and origi-nal work on a budget of less than $500,000. He’s married to Ma-linda Derouen (B.A., ’04 Teledramatic Arts & Technology). With their son, Leonard James Mueller, 6 months, they live in Monterey.

JASON MANSOUR (B.S., Earth Systems Science & Policy) is a commissioned officer with the National Oce-anic and Atmospheric Administration Corps of the Department of Com-merce. Previously an aircraft commander in that service, Mansour in January was appoint-ed flag aide to Dr. Jane Lubchenco, undersec-retary of commerce for NOAA in Washington, D.C. While stationed in Monterey, he volun-teered as an execu-tive board member of Camp SEA Lab, which offers marine-oriented programs to promote science, education and adventure for youth and teachers. Mansour lives in Fairfax, Va.

2002TANIA LEISTEN (B.S.,

Earth Systems Sci-ence & Policy) is an environmental protec-

TMDCreative, a Salinas-based marketing communications agency, has put the talents of CSUMB alumni to work. The firm employs four graduates, all having earned telecommunications, multimedia and applied computing degrees. From left, are alums Christopher Sander (’04), richard Binder (’04) and Gabriel rodriquez (’04). Not shown is Nicole Neadeau (’05), who telecommutes from Truckee.

CSUMB.EDU/news20 SPRING/SUMMER 2011

CLASS NOTES

tion specialist at the U.S. Army Presidio of Monterey. She’s responsible for manag-ing the facility’s storm water, air, asbestos and noise programs. Leisten also assists in leading Earth Day activities for the installation and promotes environmen-tal awareness and education. Leisten lives in Monterey with her 6-year-old English Mas-tiff named Hercules.

2001MICHAEL BOgAN

(B.S., Earth Systems Science & Policy) works off site as a staff re-search associate for the UCSB Sierra Nevada Aquatic Research Lab in Mammoth Lakes. Seeking a Ph.D. at Oregon State Uni-versity, he expects to graduate this year and pursue postdoctoral research to prepare for a university teaching career. He also works as a graduate teaching and research assistant. A frequent visitor to Mexico, Bogan volun-teers at a state college in Hermosillo. He helps the college obtain grants to buy equip-ment and train students in aquatic ecology and insect taxonomy. Bogan built an “eco” house near Kingman, in rural Mojave County, Ariz.,

which is self-sufficient with its own solar power and rainwater harvesting. It serves as his home when he’s not in Oregon.

AMY (LAUDER) ERICKSON (B.A., Lib-eral Studies) is a field

naturalist for Inside the Outdoors, a program of the Orange County De-partment of Education. She teaches science, in natural settings, to students from grades K-5 at county and state parks. She earned a teaching credential in 2006. In 2009, she married Chris Erickson, and the couple lives in Pacific Palisades.

2000MIKE CASTLETON

(B.S., Earth Systems Science & Policy) is a research technician at Stanford University’s Hopkins Marine Station in Pacific Grove. His research work involves the tracking and tag-ging of tuna, shark, turtles and marlin.

Castleton has volun-teered as a reading tutor for the Monterey County Free Libraries. He lives in Monterey.

1999RUDY PUENTE (B.A.,

Liberal Studies) is a counselor and co-co-ordinator of the Puente Project at Cabrillo College. He provides academic counseling to students seeking occupational and two-year degrees and those wishing to transfer to four-year universities. The Puente Project is a program that provides counseling services to underserved students wishing to attend four-year universities. Puente earned an M.A. in counselor education and a pupil personnel services credential in

counselor education from San José State. He’s married to Nancy Puente, also an educa-tor. They have two chil-dren, Marcos, 6, and Andrea, 3. The family lives in Watsonville.

1998JOEL ALEXANDER

(B.S., Management and International Entrepreneurship) is

self-employed as a licensed real estate and insurance broker. He volunteers for the YMCA, is scholarship administrator for the Al-cala Scholarship Fund and is a traffic safety volunteer for Cali Calm-ecac Charter School. He and his wife, Irma Alexander, have a son, Robert, 7. They live in Santa Rosa.

1997ASHANTI THOMPSON

(B.A., Teledramatic Arts & Technology) is a security officer with the Transportation Security Administration at Monterey Peninsula Airport. She earned an M.S. in entertain-ment business from Full Sail University in 2010 and is an intern at the Digital Media Learning Foundation in Santa Cruz. Thompson lives in Marina.

CSUMB.EDU/news

AGRIBUSINESS GRAD CREDITSFAMILY, FACULTY AND FUNDS

Martin Vargas-Garcia, a 2009 graduate,

represented alumni as a featured speaker at

the Feb. 26 Have a Heart for Students Dinner

and Auction, making the connection between

a scholarship he received at CSUMB and his

career success.

Vargas-Garcia double-majored in Business

Administration and Visual & Public Art and

was the first in his family to earn a degree,

after transferring from Hartnell College in

Salinas. Before attending college, he worked

in the fields of the Salinas Valley, harvesting

vegetables.

For almost two years, he has worked at

Sakata Seed America Inc. in Morgan Hill, the

company’s North and South American head-

quarters. His current title is priming operations

manager, and he is a serious photographer in

his spare time.

Vargas-Garcia grew up in Salinas, where he

now lives with his wife, Juanita, and their two

children – daughter, Itzel, 9, and son, Diego, 5.

He credits his success in the workplace to

the support of his family and the help and en-

couragement he received from professors. His

$1,000 agribusiness scholarship also made a

big difference, he said.

“That scholarship paid for my school sup-

plies and allowed me to focus full-time on my

studies at a critical time,” said Vargas-Garcia,

who also received the Alumni Vision Award in

his senior year.

– Molly Nance

Martin vargas-garcia

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SNAPSHOTS

President Dianne Harrison welcomes more than 300 guests.

Enjoying the reception are (from left) Mike Mahan of CSUMB and guests

Dave Potter, Sam Downing, Janine Chicourrat and Darryl Choates.

guests April Fleeman and Kurt Brown check

out a table of items in the silent auction.

volunteer table attendant Monique Rutland

pours a glass of wine for university police

chief Earl Lawson.

With a theme of ‘Scholarships Make a World of Difference,’ the 13th annual Have a Heart for Students Dinner and Auction on Feb. 26

raised $190,000, up nearly 50 percent from last year.

Photos by Randy Tunnell


SNAPSHOTS

President Dianne Harrison is joined by alums Todd Leavitt

(2000), a manager for Ralph Lauren (left), and Ren Herring

(2007), associate publicist with Rubenstein Public Relations, at

a Tri-State CSU Alumni Mixer on March 3 in Manhattan, N.Y.

Biology student Alin gonzalez on Jan. 28

calibrates a device named “Surfbot” – robotics

mounted on two propeller-equipped boogie boards

– that is intended to map the contours of the

Carmel Submarine Canyon. A stuffed CSUMB otter

will go along for the ride.

CSUMB sailing team members Bradley Schoch and Natalie

Cardoso compete in the North 1-2 Regatta, held Feb. 12-13

in Monterey Bay.

Dr. Jason Scorse of the Monterey Institute of International Studies

speaks on “What Environmentalists Need to Know About the

Economy” during the Feb. 16 Focus the Region conference on the

economics of sustainability.

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ON AND OFF CAMPUS


CALENDAR

APriL

APrIL 16, HERITAGE MUSIC FESTIVAL, Dimensions Dance Theater and De Rompe y Raja Cultural As-sociation, 5 p.m., University Center Ballroom, 831-582-3009; CSUMB.EDU/music

APrIL 27, WORLD THEATER PRES-ENTS, documentary filmmakers Josh and Rebecca Tickell showing their film “Fuel,” 7 p.m., World Theater, 831-582-4580; CSUMB.EDU/worldtheater

APrIL 28, BIOLOGY AND HEALTH SCIENCES SPEAKER, Monterey County Health Officer Dr. Hugh Stallworth, 4:30 p.m., Tanimura & Antle Library Room 3145, 831-582-3210; CSUMB.EDU/biology

APrIL 30, SPRING CONCERT, CSUMB Chorale and Singers, Nuovo Plasir and Community Band, 7 p.m., World Theater, 831-582-3009; CSUMB.EDU/music

MAY

MAY 3, SCHOOL OF BUSINESS SHOWCASE, 6 p.m., University Center Ballroom, 831-582-4001; CSUMB.EDU/specialprojects

MAY 4, PERFORMING ARTS SERIES, Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles, 7:30 p.m., World Theater, 831-582-4580; CSUMB.EDU/worldtheater

MAY 6, OPENING RECEPTION, exhibit of work by students in the Science Illustration program, 5 p.m., Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, 831-582-4500

MAY 19-20, CAPSTONE FESTI-VAL, all day, campus wide, 831-582-3680; CSUMB.EDU/capstone

MAY 20, PARENTS RECEPTION, 4 p.m., Alumni & Visitors Center, 831-582-4723; CSUMB.EDU/alumni

MAY 21, COMMENCEMENT, 10 a.m., Freeman Stadium, free tickets required, 831-582-4001; CSUMB.EDU/commencement

JUNe

JUNE 17, ORIENTATION FOR TRANSFER STUDENTS, 831-582-3738; CSUMB.EDU/orientation

JUNE 18, ORIENTATION FOR INCOMING FRESHMEN, 831-582-3738; CSUMB.EDU/orientation

JUNE 19-22, WATER POLO CAMP, for ages 14-18, 9 a.m., 831-582-3015; otterathletics.com/camps


JUNE 20-22, WOMEN’S BAS-KETBALL ELITE CAMP for high school students, 3 p.m., 831-582-3015; otterathletics.com/camps

JUNE 20-23, BASEBALL CAMPS for youth and middle school stu-dents, 831-582-3015; otterathletics.com/camps

JUNE 23, ORIENTATION FOR TRANSFER STUDENTS, 831-582-3738; CSUMB.EDU/orientation

JUNE 24, ORIENTATION FOR INCOMING FRESHMEN, 831-582-

3738; CSUMB.EDU/orientation

JUNE 24-26, WOMEN’S BAS-KETBALL TEAM CAMP, high school level, 831-582-3015; otterathletics.com/camps

JUNE 25, BASEBALL INSTRUC-TIONAL SHOWCASE, 831-582-3015; otterathletics.com/camps


JULY

JULY 11-14, BASEBALL CAMPS for youth and middle school stu-dents, 831-582-3015; otterathletics.com/camps

JULY 23, BASEBALL INSTRUC-TIONAL SHOWCASE, 831-582-3015; otterathletics.com/camps

AUGUst

AUG. 1-4, BASEBALL CAMPS for youth and middle school students, 831-582-3015; otterathletics.com/camps

AUG. 17, DAY OF WELCOME, PRESIDENT’S MEDAL AWARDS AND STATE OF THE UNIVERSITY ADDRESS, 3 p.m., World Theater, 831-582-4001; CSUMB.EDU/specialprojects

AUG. 20, BASEBALL INSTRUC-TIONAL SHOWCASE, 831-582-3015; otterathletics.com/camps

AUG. 21, PRESIDENT’S WEL-COME BARBEQUE, noon, Campus Quad, 831-582-4001; CSUMB.EDU/specialprojects

sePteMBer

SEPt. 24, BASEBALL INSTRUC-TIONAL SHOWCASE, 831-582-3015; otterathletics.com/camps

SEPt. 26, PRESIDENT’S CUP GOLF TOURNAMENT, shotgun start 1 p.m., Quail Lodge, 831-582-3051; CSUMB.EDU/presidentscup

octoBer

OCt. 22, BASEBALL INSTRUC-TIONAL SHOWCASE, 831-582-3015; otterathletics.com/camps

events

Cal State Monterey Bay will hold its 15th annual

Commencement on May 21 at Freeman Stadium.

With the Class of 2011, the university will have

graduated about 7,600 students since 1996. Pre-

Commencement events will include a reception for

parents of graduates on May 20 at the Alumni &

visitors Center.

don

poRT

eR

University AdvAncement

100 cAmpUs center, seAside, cA 93955-8001

1047000

retUrn service reqUested

50% recycled and 25% Post-consumer Waste

NONPrOFit OrG.

U.S. POStAGe

PAIDSeASiDe, CA

PerMit NO. 76

AttentionAlumni Parents:

Please share new

addresses of sons and

daughters who are

CSUMB graduates.

Call: 831-582-3595

Have you seen us lately? Cal State Monterey Bay’s website, csUMB.edU, is new and improved thanks to a total redesign completed in late 2010. This innovative and constantly changing electronic portal opens the door to everything you

need and want to know about the university. Check it out – today!

Documents

3180 CSUMB Magazine – Spring/Summer 2011