My first four months

In the four months and one week since I’ve started work at SDSU’s Marketing & Communications Department, a number of thoughts have popped into my head – both pertaining to my position and to just being a part of academic life for the first time in a while.

So far, I can honestly say that I’ve been overwhelmed by the SDSU experience.  In a good way.

In a short period of time, I’ve met and worked with faculty members who are both dedicated to their students’ learning and to their craft, eager to show the world what Aztecs are capable of.  I’ve worked with student interns who are hungry to learn more and excel in a field that is frequently changing.  I’ve worked with a local media who seem to be truly interested in all the innovations and discoveries coming out of the laboratories, classrooms and observatories on campus.

As someone who served in the armed forces, there is one aspect of San Diego State I took notice of almost immediately.  Very quickly, I saw a university ardent in its support of veterans and active duty military, something that hits close to home.  Some of the programs and facilities for veterans put in place here on the Mesa are not common anywhere in the U.S., and it makes me proud to be part of SDSU.

I’ve come to realize that it’s a privilege to work at San Diego State, among thousands of enthusiastic students, a faculty passionate about their respective fields, and a devoted administration and staff.  I may not be an Aztec by degree (don’t hold it against me), but I can say I definitely it’s been a great ride so far and I am proud to be — in some small part — part of the SDSU family.

Thank You Spring Break

David Rozul is a junior studying Public Relations at San Diego State University

My beach gear is put away, bags unpacked and like the other 30,000 plus SDSU students, I have returned to good ol’ 5500 Campanile Way.

Within only a few days of returning to classes and going back to the normal routine, I can already tell there’s a different feeling on campus than from when I left for spring break.

People are happier, I see more smiles and the eyes of students glazing over in class have disappeared. Spring break does magical things.

For the longest time I’ve tried to pinpoint what exactly about spring break brings us all back so refreshed, and I finally think I’ve got it:

1. The weather- Happier and no longer heavy with rain, I like to think the clouds are finally taking their own break, making way for the blue skies that I’ve come to love about San Diego this time of year.
2. The memories- Everyone has more energy because the happy memories of the past seven days out and about are fresh in everyone’s mind.
3. The ‘almost done’ factor– Look at a calendar; I don’t know about you, but the thought that SDSU spring 2012 semester is quickly coming to a close is putting a smile on my face.

No matter the reason or explanation, I like this feeling back;  I like this renewed energy I see and feel when I walk from Manchester Hall to the Arts and Letters building.

But nothing really has changed; I just perceive everything in a new light and I publicly would like to thank Mr. Spring Break for that. I don’t know who invented spring break, but I want to give them a high five. “Thank you, you’re awesome.”

Now it’s back to classes with a room full of students with brightened faces and the urge to learn fresh on their minds, or maybe it’s their adventures in Las Vegas last week that is still making them smile.

 

Our basketball season is over … now what?

Did your bracket come crashing down — and your season come screaching to an end — when the Aztecs lost to North Carolina State in the 2nd round of the NCAATournament last week? Are you already itching for next season to start? Are you thinking to yourself ‘Now what? What will I do with my Tuesday and Saturday nights, if not watching college basketball at the Madhouse on the Mesa?’

Well, you’re in luck, because, as I learned a few years ago, life does go on after the basketball season and, at SDSU, there are actually plenty of other things to do outside of Viejas Arena.

For instance, a former United States Ambassador to Israel is on campus today, speaking about the Middle East.  If Peace in the Middle East is a little too political for your taste, the School of Music and Dance is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, and has something fun and entertaining going on all the time.

And the Farmer’s Market … ohhhh the Farmer’s Market.

But if you just must get your sports fix, there are still lots of spring sports going on, like baseball, softball, golf and tennis.

I guess the point is, sometimes we take for granted all the activities we have going on right under our noses here on campus. Take a minute and check out the events calendar and try an event you’ve never done before. The upcoming Jazz Ensemble at Smith Recital Hall isn’t the same as The Show. But it’ll be a good show none the less.

 

March Madness

Students camped out on Campanile Walkway for prime campaign signage spots.

While many attribute the madness of March to the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, many SDSU student leaders deal with another, more personal, version of it, as well.

Just last week, SDSU students elected a new group of executives and college representatives for Associated Students for the 2012-13 academic year.

And it’s no “simple” election — as part of the process, students sit through orientation meetings, sleep outside overnight to stake prime campaigning sites and debate their opponents in an open forum. Even then, the slim margin between victory and defeat can be as thin as a dozen votes.

This is outside of their normal lives as students, too. There’s still midterms, part-time jobs, volunteering during Explore SDSU, and cheering on men’s and women’s basketball.

But, that’s what makes these students leaders — their commitment to campus, their classmates and the San Diego community is what sets them apart. They’re advocating on behalf of students, overseeing the many facilities and services students enjoy, and partnering with other organizations to help the San Diego community.

If the “madness” of students’ busy lives seems a bit much, just remember the end of March is just around the corner — and spring break along with it.

Ch-ch-changes

It’s only been a week, but it feels like I’ve been with Associated Students of San Diego State University much longer (and not just because I’ve had a sweet name tag since day one).

Part of that affinity is due to the warm welcome I’ve received, and part of it is due to my work with many of the auxiliary non-profit’s staff members and student government executives during my six years with the SDSU Department of Marketing and Communications. In my former positions as media relations specialist and editor of new media, I developed and told stories that affected a wide range of Aztecs – from faculty and staff to alumni and community members.

In my new role as Associated Students’ marketing and communications manager, I focus on the issues that affect students and the on-campus organization that serves them. Whether it’s upcoming student, local and national elections, highlighting student-led sustainability efforts, construction of Aztec Student Union or A is for Art, I will tell the AS story and the folks who – so often – work behind the scenes to provide the services and maintain the facilities students enjoy and expect.

Of course, it isn’t all about students – community members will get an “education” on AS, too. Whether it’s connecting the dots between our organization and facilities like Viejas Arena and the Mission Bay Aquatic Center, I want San Diego to know that AS, in its own way, can serve them, too.

So, you’ve been forewarned – the next time you see me on campus, I’ll still be in my customary red and black, but I’ll have a snazzy little AS badge, too!

Behind the Scenes

Jim Herrick is Director of the SDSU Alumni Association. This post originally appeared in his blog Directly Speaking.

I had heard it was the 75th anniversary of San Diego State’s School of Music and Dance, so I thought I would take a walk over to the arty part of campus and check it out. It was Friday afternoon, kind of late but there was definitely some activity. I happen to know via osmosis that we have great programs in the performing arts. The students are immensely talented and destined for glory and stardom so I urge you strongly to go to a concert, opera or dance performance. The big thing currently is “The Magic Flute” and you can click here to get tickets.

On this day I found some sort of ensemble practicing in the Music Building. Take a listen:

> Ensemble Music

Then I checked out one of my favorite places—the costume shop. Here is the director, Teri, who is typically teaching a group of earnest designers sewing away:

Her colleague, Peter, took me over to the dressing room where two students were actually practicing applying the make-up that would be on two of the cast members in “The Magic Flute.” They had charts and brushes and paints and wigs. It was very cool. This is Gina:

And this is Kimberly:

Then I sneaked back stage of the Don Powell Theatre. I must admit I peek in here somewhat regularly. I get a kick out of seeing the building of sets. It seems to be far more related to construction management and engineering, but it is art.

And while we are really taking off here at San Diego State with right brain-oriented curricula, it is good to know that we have plenty of talented singers and musicians and dancers and artists, too. Without the left-brainers life just wouldn’t be as fulfilling.

Plus, for those of you who are not yet lifetime Alumni Association Members, we have a sweet deal on how to see some of these terrific shows, so check it out here:

And here is a picture of some upcoming concerts and a link to the shows. I promise you that you will have a great evening when you go.

Congratulations to the students, faculty and staff of the School of Music and Dance. Happy 75th anniversary and thanks for giving us all yet another reason to be proud of SDSU!

An Open Book

I am lucky to know Joanna Brooks.

Joanna chairs SDSU’s Department of English and Comparative Literature.  She is friendly, charming and disarmingly insightful.  She tells a story with panache.  And she makes the best chocolate chip cookies since Florence Rachman.

In her company, people often feel compelled to share parts of themselves they usually keep guarded.

Joanna Brooks, chair of SDSU's Department of English and Comparative Literature, is a national voice on Mormon life and politics and an award-winning scholar of religion and American culture.

And, yet, she doesn’t reveal her own secrets nearly as easily.  Until now.

In January, Joanna self-published a memoir, “The Book of Mormon Girl: Stories from an American Faith.”

I don’t yet enjoy reading books on my cell phone or tablet, so I waited until it became available last week for print-on-demand from Amazon.

In it, she describes her childhood in a conservative Mormon household and her evolving relationship with her religion through tumultuous years at Brigham Young University, a marriage to a nice Jewish boy and their journey raising two beautiful daughters.

In many ways, her relationship with Mormonism is a story of unrequited love.  It makes for a book that’s laugh-out-loud funny, sometimes heartbreaking and impossible to put down.

Showing the Love

CNN.com and The Washington Post recently featured Joanna, and politico.com named her one of “50 Politicos to Watch.”

Look for an upcoming feature about Joanna in SDSU NewsCenter, which will be published the week of Feb. 13.

Find out more about Joanna at joannabrooks.org.

The Nice Jewish Boy

Joanna is married to David Kamper, chair of the Department of American Indian Studies, which recently celebrated the 35th anniversary of its founding at San Diego State.

David and his eldest daughter, Ella, were featured last year in a video about fatherhood.