In this issue:

“A Great Day” for SDSU
Groundbreaking Held for New Alumni Center

Placing red and black shovels in a pile of dirt as sparkling confetti swirled through the air, SDSU President Stephen L. Weber and a group of distinguished alumni kicked off construction of the university’s new Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center Tuesday afternoon. They were joined by almost 250 alumni, students, faculty and staff to celebrate groundbreaking for the $11 million facility to be built at the northwest corner of 55th Street and Hardy Avenue.

“It’s a great day,” said Jack Goodall (’60), who along with good friends Leon Parma (’51) and Bob Payne (’55) contributed the $2.7 million naming gift for the center. “It will be a great thing for the university and I’m very happy to be involved.”

Goodall told the crowd the name placement on the building was determined by the order the three finished after a round of golf. “It’s embarrassing,” his friend Parma quipped. “I think we look like a law firm with our three names up there.”

Upon completion, projected by the end of 2009, the 30,000-square-foot center will feature offices for the Alumni Association staff, a state-of-the-art boardroom, a ballroom, meeting rooms, an outdoor deck overlooking Tony Gwynn Stadium, and several gathering spaces. It is intended as a location for the university’s 200,000 alumni to reconnect with the campus.

Artist's rendering of the Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center.

“It gives our alumni a place to meet,” observed Payne. “I think it’s the sort of catalyst that sets the new era for the university in having the opportunity to really bring alumni back.”

“A LONG TIME COMING”

During his remarks, Weber described the project as a collaboration between San Diego State and its alumni. “This alumni center is, I think, an expression of the spirit that defines San Diego State” he said.

More than 500 donors contributed to the construction effort. Among them was former Alumni Association President Art Flaming (’60), after whom a wing of the new center will be named. “For me, personally, I think it’s been a long time coming,” he said of the construction kickoff. “I think it’s great.”

The celebration included an appearance by SDSU Marching and Pep Band members along with the SDSU cheerleaders. Ice cream sundaes were served in tiny plastic hard hats. Tiny shovels in glass vases sat atop tables festooned in red and black tablecloths.

After speaking to the assembled guests, Student Alumni Association President Michelle Adams surveyed the scene. “It’s an experience I’m excited and grateful to be a part of,” she said. “It’s going to be something that’s going to go down in my scrap book.”

• Alumni Center Groundbreaking Sights and Sounds
• Leon Parma discusses advantages of new Alumni Center.
• Bob Payne talks about opportunities of new Alumni Center.
• Jack Goodall envisions function of new Alumni Center.
• Stephen Weber addresses crowd at groundbreaking ceremony.

For more information on the Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center, visit alumnicenter.sdsu.edu.

Paving The Way
Paver Project Builds Alumni Legacy Into New Center

SDSU Alumni may now literally help pave the way for the new Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center. Now that construction is officially under way, the Alumni Association has kicked off Project Pave the Way, a campaign designed to fill the rotunda of the new facility with stone pavers bearing the names and messages of SDSU alumni and friends.

“This is the perfect way for our alumni to strengthen their link with the university,” says SDSU Alumni Association Executive Director Jim Herrick. “Not only will they always have a place to come back to on campus, but their names will forever be a physical part of this beautiful, welcoming home to all Aztecs.”

According to Herrick, construction plans call for a rotunda that will encompass approximately 2500 square feet of floor space. The floor covering will include stone pavers bearing the names and engraved messages of those wishing to leave a lasting impression in the new building.

The pavers come in three sizes for three donation amounts. A gift of $1,000 sponsors a 4” x 14” stone. A 6” x 28” paver comes with a donation of $2,500 and for $5,000 a much larger message may be left on a stone measuring 8” x 42”. All paver gifts are 100% tax deductible and will also support the SDSU Alumni Student Scholarship Fund.

Herrick says special notification including details of Project Pave the Way will first be sent to the SDSU Alumni Association’s more than 4,000 current lifetime members. “It would be great if each of our lifetime members could have their name in this building,” he says. “Of course, that would be our dream.”

To build your legacy into the Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center through Project Pave the Way, please visit www.sdsualumni.org/pavers or contact Andy Hanshaw at (619) 594-6119.

“Thank You for Your Leadership”
Past Presidents Recognized for Alumni Center Commitment

Alumni Association past presidents gather to celebrate construction of the new Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center.

A glance around the room revealed decades of dedication, vision, and stewardship. There could be no mistaking; these were people of action.

Twenty-two of the SDSU Alumni Association’s 42 living past presidents gathered at the Aztec Hall of Fame February 20 to celebrate the imminent construction of the Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center. They all had a hand in its impending existence.

Michael Rogers (’61) held his presidential post 39 years ago. Jerry Dressel (’76) served twice, the first time in 1993 and then again in 2004. When Lois Bruhn (’63, ’69) was president in 1996, the Alumni Association staff worked in a house along 55th Street that has long since been replaced by a parking lot.

“We were talking about a new alumni center when I was president,” recalled Bruhn, who remembers visiting alumni facilities on other campuses for research. “We didn’t know where it was going to be, but we knew we would really like a new home for our Aztec alumni.”

“EXTREMELY EXCITED”

As it turns out, the new building will also rise along 55th Street on the same spot where the Alumni Association’s most recent offices were housed. The past presidents could view the site through the window of their celebratory luncheon location.

“For us to see that we are having an alumni center actually being built after all the talking about it is rejuvenating,” Bruhn enthused. “We’re all extremely excited about it.”

Together, the past presidents had contributed more than $1.3 million toward the center’s construction. “Without your contributions, we would never have made it,” said SDSU Alumni Association Executive Director Jim Herrick during his remarks to the group. “Thank you for your leadership.”

SDSU Alumni Association president Bill Trumpfheller ('87) (standing - r) addresses guests at the February 20 past presidents luncheon.

“A BETTER PLACE”

After an update from current president Bill Trumpfheller (’87), who was also the Alumni Association’s president from 2000-2001, the group welcomed immediate past president Chuck Luby (’59, ‘64) to their ranks. Each year the organization’s former leaders conduct a ceremony to honor the newest member of their group.

Past president Bruce Ives (’89) awarded Luby a pin signifying his induction into the Past Presidents Council, a group that supports and advises the Alumni Association’s board, whose executive committee members were also in attendance. “It was a wonderful ceremony,” Luby said. “I really appreciated being in the same company of so many of these fine ex-presidents.”

It was during his administration that final funding for the new Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center was secured, but Luby humbly tips his hat to the work of his presidential predecessors. “It’s marvelous to think of all the achievements this group has accomplished and the time they’ve donated to make San Diego State a better place,” he observed. “I feel very honored to have been part of it.”

To view a list of SDSU Alumni Association past presidents, visit alumni.sdsu.edu/past_presidents.htm.

March is SDSU Month
Campus-Wide Celebration Marks its Sixth Year

Join students, faculty, staff and other alumni this month to celebrate the contributions the university makes to the San Diego community. From teaching and research to community service, San Diego State University has emerged as a top research university and has been named the number one small research university in the nation for the second consecutive year.

The month-long celebration includes dozens of events, promotions and a sweepstakes for a trip for two to New Zealand courtesy of STA Travel.

SDSU Month Events

• Explore SDSU: Open House 2008, March 15: Presented by Cox Communications and the San Diego Union-Tribune, Explore SDSU is a free open-house event for alumni, the community, current, and newly admitted students.
• Uncovering Our Past, March 7, 6:30 p.m. Hardy Tower 140: Three years ago, two WPA-era murals painted by SDSU students in the 1930s, were found hidden behind ceiling tiles in Hardy Tower. Learn the significance of the paintings and how they were discovered, and experience the murals up close in a lecture by SDSU Anthropology Professor Seth Mallios, Ph.D.
• Kyoto Laureate Symposium, March 13, 9:30 a.m. Montezuma Hall: Celebrate the lifetime contributions of the new Kyoto Prize Laureates. The Kyoto Prize, often compared to the Nobel Prize, is awarded annually by the Inamori Foundation. SDSU welcomes the advanced technology winner, Hiroo Inokuchi, who initiated pioneering research in organic light-emitting diodes (OLED) and established the academic basis for studying organic molecular electronics.
• Hamlet: Blood in the Brain, March 7 through March 16: The Experimental Theatre presents Naomi Iizuka’s adaptation of “Hamlet.” Shakespeare’s kingdom of Elsinore is relocated Oakland, Calif. in the late 1980s. Izuka’s play captures the tensions within families and shattered communities. Don’t miss this remarkable production!

SDSU Month Scholarship

Order the Rubio’s Aztec Plate during March and $1 will be donated to support SDSU Scholars. The Rubio’s Aztec Plate includes one World Famous Fish Taco, one Crispy Shrimp Taco, pinto beans and chips and is available at all San Diego locations.

STA Travel

Interested in taking a much-needed break and exploring New Zealand? During SDSU Month in March, STA Travel is giving away a trip for two to New Zealand.

One lucky winner and their guest will receive roundtrip airfare on Air New Zealand and budget accommodations. Visit www.sdsumonth.com to enter. Entries must be submitted by March 31, see rules for complete details.

Special Offers

To thank our loyal alumni, SDSU has aligned with several local businesses to provide special offers such as discounts on SDSU clothing, movie tickets and athletic events.

For a complete list of events, special offers and other SDSU Month information, visit www.sdsumonth.com.

From Space Exploration to Explore SDSU
Astronaut Returns to Campus That Helped Launch Her Career

On the phone from her Houston office, Ellen Ochoa (’80) tries to remember the last time she visited the campus of SDSU. She ponders a moment before answering.

Astronaut Ellen Ochoa ('80) (NASA photo)

“It has been many years, actually,” she concludes. “I’d have to look it up to see when it was.” Her next visit will be March 15 at Explore SDSU where she’ll be the featured guest in an 11:00 a.m. presentation at the Family Village sponsored by the Alumni Association at the north end of Campanile Walk.

Now Deputy Director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center, astronaut Ochoa flew four space missions and has logged more than 978 hours in space. But the career that has taken her literally out of this world was launched much closer to her hometown of La Mesa when she enrolled at SDSU.

“When I went to San Diego State I wasn’t sure what direction I was headed,” Ochoa recalls. “I was thinking of majoring in either music or business at the time, but wasn’t really sure.”

TRYING SCIENCE

At first she loaded up on math classes because she had enjoyed the subject in high school, but soon considered branching out. “I decided to try science because so many other people in the math classes, of course, were either in science or engineering or something,” says Ochoa. “I took a physics class for non-majors first and thought, ‘this is really interesting.’” It would prove to be her pathway to success.

Ochoa went on from SDSU to complete a master’s degree and earn a Ph.D. at Stanford. She became an astronaut in 1991 and flew her first space mission on the Space Shuttle Discovery in 1993. Her most recent space flight was aboard the shuttle Atlantis to the International Space Station in 2002.

Ochoa says her current responsibilities “run the gamut from participating in flight readiness reviews to working the budget to setting policy, working personnel issues” and “everything that’s involved in running a center.”

How does that compare with flying in space? “Hardly anything would top that, I have to admit,” she laughs. Except, perhaps, motherhood. Ochoa enjoys traveling with her two sons. Wilson is nine and Jordan is seven. Wilson will join his mother at Explore SDSU where Ochoa, who is a lifetime member of the SDSU Alumni Association, looks forward to meeting other alumni and speaking with students of all ages.

EXPERIENCES IN SPACE

“I’ll be talking about my experiences in space and talking a little bit about how my education at San Diego State was important for what I do in my career,” she explains. “I tell them that really the absolute key for me getting my job as an astronaut was the education that I had.”

While she’s on campus, Ochoa says she plans to have a look around. “I’m sure there’ll be a lot of buildings I’ve never seen before,” she imagines. That’s certainly true, but while some architectural aspects of SDSU have changed, the opportunities that helped transform a young math student into an astronaut remain.

It’s still the same launching pad.

For more information on Explore SDSU, visit www.sdsumonth.com.

San Diego TV Station Airs SDSU Spot
Aztec Alums Share Campus “Findings” for SDSU Month Promotion

NBC 7/39 anchor and reporter Steven Luke ('99)

Although he visits SDSU fairly frequently through his work, Steven Luke (’99) had never seen the Aztec Aquaplex on the far west end of campus. “Just walking inside, it’s amazing,” he marveled, standing in the circular drive at the entrance. “I remember when this was a dirt parking lot. It’s cool just to see what they’ve done.”

Luke is an anchor and reporter for San Diego television station KNSD, also known as NBC 7/39. He and four other on-air staffers who are Aztec alumni returned to campus in February to tape a spot the station will air during March promoting SDSU Month.

“My line was, ‘I found a way to go for the gold in life,’ sort of playing off NBC’s Olympic ties,” explained Luke, who studied communications as a student. In the 30-second promotion, each broadcaster mentions something he or she “found” as a student at San Diego State that helped shape his or her life or career.

NBC 7/39 Weathercaster and "Streetside San Diego" host Lorrie Jordan

“A FANTASTIC EXPERIENCE”

For weathercaster and “Streetside San Diego” host Lorrie Jordan, it was a greater appreciation of Earth. “It’s funny that I do the weather,” said Jordan, after taping her segment near Scripps Cottage. “One of my favorite professors was (biology) Professor (Vernon) Avila and I did learn a tremendous amount about this planet and it was just a fantastic experience for me.”

NBC 7/39 anchor and reporter Artie Ojeda ('85)

Jordan was a journalism major in her student days in the 90s, as was anchor and reporter Artie Ojeda (’85), who landed a television news internship through the university to help launch his career. “Just from a networking standpoint, you look at some of the people who are in broadcast news here in San Diego,” Ojeda observed, “and this university has definitely made a difference and impacted so many local broadcasters’ lives.”

One of those whose life was impacted is Ken Kramer (’74), host of NBC 7/39’s “About San Diego” program. “This is where I got the first practical hands-on experience at KPBS as a student operator at the radio station,” remembered Kramer. “This is where I really came to decide that this is what I wanted to do – not just think about it.”

NBC 7/39 reporter and "About San Diego" host Ken Kramer ('74)

“I feel like I owe this campus a lot,” he continued. “I have a real warm feeling about it and a good, solid connection to it and I feel that anybody who got their professional roots in this place ought to come back and nurture it for others. I feel it’s not only my responsibility, but my pleasure.”

ON BROADWAY

Sharing that point of view is traffic reporter Kimberly King (’93). “It’s nice that we’re all in this together,” she said of taping the promotion with her coworkers. “It was instilled in us here to give back, and if we can instill that in any of the folks who are going through the hallways here, I think it would mean something.”

NBC 7/39 traffic reporter Kimberly King ('93)

King came to SDSU after graduating from San Diego’s School for Creative and Performing Arts. “I still love the arts and that’s where I do a lot of my volunteering,” she explained, “so it’s perfect to be (taping) in the Don Powell Theater.”

Although she majored in speech communication as a student, King says she was torn about which career path to follow. “I always thought, ‘Oh, gosh, do I want to be on Broadway or do I want to go into broadcasting,’ she recalled. “It turns out I ended up on Broadway, but it was the street Broadway in San Diego at NBC, so I guess I wasn’t quite specific enough.”

• View NBC 7/39’s SDSU Month promotion.

Reserve Montys Tickets Now
Awards Gala Registration Deadline March 14

March 14 is the registration deadline for tickets to the 2008 Monty Awards. This year’s gala dinner and awards presentation celebrating minds that move the world and honoring 11 distinguished alumni and friends of the university will be held Saturday, March 29, at 6:00 p.m. at the San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina in downtown San Diego. Individual tickets are $165 or $1,550 for a table seating 10.

For tickets and additional information, visit alumni.sdsu.edu/montys or contact Cheryl Trtan at 619-594-ALUM (2586) or ctrtan@mail.sdsu.edu.

Renewal Reminder
2007 Grads Get a Great Deal on Membership

In just a few short weeks, Gradfest rolls around again. For Aztecs from the class of 2007, that means it’s time to renew membership in the SDSU Alumni Association.

“We give them a $15 discount from the $45 annual membership, which is an amazing offer,” says Kelley Suminski, membership coordinator for the Alumni Association. “Of course, all of our alumni receive great benefits, but the deal for recent grads is just unbeatable.”

For a renewal fee of just $30, 2007 graduates receive Gradpack Round 2, which includes a free SDSU visor, key chain and blank key that may be copied for almost any purpose. In addition to receiving the Gradpack in the mail right away, members continue to enjoy all the other benefits that come with an Alumni Association membership.

There are complimentary subscriptions to San Diego Magazine and 360: The Magazine of San Diego State University. Membership also includes invitations to exclusive events like the May 16 Alumni Luau. Gaining free entry to libraries in the CSU System anywhere in the state is part of the deal, as are the many discounts and special offers afforded Alumni Association members.

Alumni visor

“It’s worth so much more than the cost of renewing,” Suminski says, explaining that 2007 grads should receive renewal notices in the coming weeks. Those who wish to do so may also renew their membership on line.

“We hope our graduates realize what a great value we offer and continue their membership,” says Suminski, “but, of course the main reason to renew is that Aztecs everywhere should stay connected.”

To renew your membership, visit the recent graduate online membership application, or call the SDSU Alumni Association at (619) 594-ALUM (2586).

Alumni Luau Brings South Seas to San Diego
“Polynesian Extravaganza” Planned for May 16 Event

Alumni Association luau is set for May 16.

The South Seas come to San Diego Friday, May 16 with a genuine Polynesian luau at the Catamaran Hotel sponsored by the SDSU Alumni Association. The event for Alumni Association members promises an exotic evening of food, fun, and fellowship in the classic tradition of the islands.

“We wanted to do something completely out of the ordinary for our members,” says Alumni Association Associate Director Tammy Blackburn. “We hope this will be an unforgettable experience for them.”

The luau is planned from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. and will feature a customary lei greeting, authentic Pacific Island food, traditional Polynesian music and live entertainment. All will take place in tropical surroundings that will include fiery tiki torches to help set the mood.

Additional details will be available in the coming weeks. “Right now we just want our alumni to save the date,” explains Blackburn. “We want to make sure as many members as possible can attend because this event will be so much fun.”

For a list of February’s new lifetime members, visit alumni.sdsu.edu/lifetime_members.

What’s New With You
“Class Notes” Seeks News From Alumni

Have you achieved any personal or professional goals recently? Reached any milestones? Tell us about it and we'll publish your news in 360: The Magazine of San Diego State University. To be included in “Class Notes” for the next issue, send an email to 360mag@mail.sdsu.edu.

To read the current issue of 360: The Magazine of San Diego State University, visit www.sdsu.edu/360.

Mountain West Conference Basketball Tournaments
Tickets Now Available for Men’s and Women’s Games

The Aztec Athletic Ticket Office has all session tickets available to the 2008 Mountain West Conference Basketball Championships in Las Vegas. The tournament runs Tuesday, March 11 through Saturday, March 15, 2008. Tickets are $165 each and include all 8 men’s games and all 8 women’s games. To purchase tickets, please contact the Athletic Ticket Office at (619) 283-7378 or visit their office at Qualcomm Stadium Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to purchase in person.

For the latest scores and stories involving Aztec athletes, visit www.goaztecs.com.

Pick Your Priority
Chapter Funding Depends on Your Decision

If you are an SDSU Alumni Association member and have not already done so, it is important to designate a priority chapter of interest. Funding for individual alumni chapters is now based on your choice.

Last year, the Alumni Association Board of Directors voted to eliminate annual fees for chapter membership. Now, as a benefit of membership, members may belong to as many chapters as they wish at no cost, but one of those chapters must be singled out as a priority to receive monetary support from the Alumni Association.

Each alumni chapter receives an additional $10 from the Alumni Association for every member who identifies it as his or her priority chapter. According to the organization’s chapter coordinator, Diane Barragan, the money goes to help underwrite costs of programs and events sponsored by individual chapters.

“Each chapter receives a basic stipend for the fiscal year and, following Alumni Association guidelines of course, they have discretion as to how that money is spent,” says Barragan. “But some chapters are larger or more active than others and they want to sponsor more events and programs. That costs more and to get more money they need more people to say, ‘this is my main chapter.”

EDUCATION PROCESS

The Alumni Association has been educating its members about the chapter funding system since late last year. So far, a few more than 500 members out of almost 9,000 have designated a priority chapter. Chapter funding will be distributed for the coming fiscal year after June 30, so it’s important in the coming weeks for members to declare a main chapter.

“New chapter leaders will be taking over and they need to know how to budget for the coming year,” Barragan explains. “We can’t service our members as well as we would like if we don’t know what they want, so we encourage everyone to tell us by designating their primary chapter of interest now if they haven’t already done so.”

To designate your Alumni Association primary chapter of interest, visit chapters.sdsu.edu/join.htm or call the SDSU Alumni Association at (619) 594-ALUM (2586).

From Concealed to Revealed
Professor’s Work Sheds Light on Past and Present

SDSU Anthropology Chair Seth Mallios conducts gravestone research.

Hidden gravesites. Rediscovered murals. Uncovered artifacts. What once was concealed is now revealed by the work of Dr. Seth Mallios, Chair of Anthropology at SDSU.

Through his research, Mallios unmasks many of San Diego’s mysteries, like the story of the vanished gravestones or the tale of the moving graveyard. In his recent book, Cemeteries of San Diego, he presents fascinating discoveries unearthing clues explaining the past and providing insight to the present. The professor literally does know where the bodies are buried.

Mallios has also been part of the effort to preserve the rediscovered murals in Hardy Tower. He will share his compelling findings Wednesday, March 19, at the Arts & Letters Alumni Chapter's fourth annual "Meet the Professor" event from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. in the Aztec Athletic Hall of Fame. All alumni and faculty are invited.

To register, and for more information, visit chapters.sdsu.edu/alac or contact Robin Luby, ALAC President, by phone (858) 459-9455 or by email rbluby@earthlink.net.