Unravel the mysteries of knitting for pleasure with (left to right) Raye Lynn Thomas, Laurel Holmstrom and Joyce Chong.

Gregory Flick will show how "green budding" techniques allow many varieties of the same fruit to grow from one tree.

Human Services is looking for volunteers to present break-out sessions on Staff Appreciation Day this summer on June 16. Do you have a talent or hobby that you would like to share with others? Is there an area on campus that you are an expert on and would like to lead a tour? If so, contact Carol Ingerman at 4-3100 or e-mail carol.ingerman@sonoma.edu by May 6.

Employees, groups or departments are encouraged to reserve a display table or chairs by contacting Steve Green at 4-3717 or stephen.green@sonoma.edu.

Presentors confirmed so far include: Kathleen Hardy, Desktop Yoga; Laurel Holmstrom and Diane Psota, intermediate knitting; Joyce Chong and Raye Lynn Thomas, beginning knitting; George Petru, tunnel tour; Laurie and Dick Ogg, weight training; Sam Scalise, Informational Technology tour; Mark Dierkhising, cooking demonstration; Nate Johnson and George Ellington, Police Emergency Operations Center and Emergency Preparedness training; Pamela Su, Recreation Center tour; Julia Clothier, Fairfield Osborne Preserve tour; Gregory Flick, pruning, grafting, Victory Gardening; and Heather Young, Myers-Briggs Index.

Nominees Sought for Fifth Annual Diversity Award

Members of the Campus Climate Committee and the InterCultural Center are pleased to announce the Fifth Annual Diversity Award for Outstanding Contribution Toward Campus Climate. Nominations are due on Monday, April 25. Application forms for the nominees can be found at the InterCultural Center on the first floor of the Student Union. They are due in the ICC mailbox at the Student Union receptionist desk at 5 p.m. by Monday, May 9.

The award seeks to acknowledge those students who have made significant contributions to the campus climate toward diversity through their involvement on committees, student activities, and in the classroom. An applicant for the Diversity Award for Outstanding Contribution Toward Campus Climate must have made a significant contribution to the celebration of campus diversity in a leadership position and earned a 2.5 or better overall GPA based on Fall 2004 transcripts.

The award will be given at the Fifth Annual Multicultural Graduation Celebration on May 18. For further information, contact the InterCultural Center at 4-2710 or contact Darius Spearman, spearman@sonoma.edu.

Katharyn Crabbe Named to Head Student Affairs and ESAS

SSU Vice Provost Katharyn Crabbe assumes responsibility for the Student Affairs Division effective Aug. 15. Her new position carries the title of Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management.

This amounts to a consolidation of Enrollment and Student Academic Services, which she now heads, and the current Division of Student Affairs.

President Ruben Arminana says this decision was in response to the University's vision of student support from entrance through graduation and beyond, as well as in support of the needs of a campus with an expanding residential community. "Dr. Crabbe has shown great leadership in roles on campus in the area of academics and student support and has the background, experience and integrity to ensure the success of this consolidation," he says. Crabbe came to SSU in 1990.

Crabbe replaces Dr. Rand Link, Vice President for Student Affairs, who retires from the University after 35 years of service. His roles have been many, including Dean for Student Affairs, Associate Dean for Student Development, and Director of the Career Development Center.

"In all capacities, Dr. Link has served the campus with thoughtful judgment and professionalism and with great respect for the University and the students, faculty and staff within. His contributions have helped shape Sonoma State University," Dr. Arminana said.

Applause Award

Connie Lewsadder
School of Social Sciences, Assistant to the Dean

Connie Lewsadder deserves the highest praise and a standing ovation!  She has helped in more ways than can be counted and always does so with a smile and a positive attitude. It is so rare to find someone like Connie because she is always so happy to help me problem-solve.  She relishes all the challenges to understanding the various aspects of form handling and reimbursement I present to her and always has a cheerful word when asked for help.  She is a true partner in my work. Connie always has a "can do" attitude.  Because of Connie, I can concentrate on the educational and academic activities of the Center for the Study of the Holocaust. 

- Myrna Goodman, Director,
Center for the Study of the Holocaust and Genocide

Connie is one of the most well-rounded co-workers I have ever worked with.  She is multi-talented and her repertoire includes not only the myriad of high-level administrative skills, but wonderful personal attributes as well.

She is extremely bright, artistic, diplomatic, honest, straightforward and merry.  I do not know of another person on this campus who I would rather work with. She always adds color to any room and her smile is contagious.  More than anything else, Connie is the epitome of integrity. She is a role model for all workers in the world. 

- Sandra Feldman, Program Coordinator, Liberal Studies Ukiah

Connie is always friendly and helpful. In particular, she extends the effort to attend to the kind of details that just make the day more special...the stickers on the CDC agendas really do make a difference! The baked goods and other gestures of kindness that are unexpected and just make one stop and smile for a minute in the middle of a busy day. She was also really helpful and attentive when our administrative coordinator was out for an extended period of time. 

- Maureen Buckley, Chair, Counseling Department

Connie is extremely helpful.  She shows initiative and dedication by constantly and consistently operating with a pro-active approach. Furthermore, Connie is always effective at reducing friction and confusion during those inevitable difficult or problematic situations.  She clarifies and focuses on the relevant aspects.  In addition, she is extremely professional while always remaining personable, especially when having to be particularly discreet with issues of confidentiality or interpersonal conflict.

 - Richard Senghas, Chair, Anthropology Department

Paid Internship for
Teaching English in China

The School of Extended Education is excited to be offering an opportunity for graduates of SSU to teach English in China, reports Helen Kallenbach, Director, Sonoma State American Language Institute. The program is a paid internship for teaching English oral skills with stipends for travel, and free housing and classes in Chinese language and culture at Sanda Institute in Shanghai, China.

An informational meeting is set for 4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 19 in Stevenson 1038. More information can be found online at www.sonoma.edu/exed/ssali/china.htm. Deadline for applying is the end of April.

CATASTROPHIC LEAVE REQUEST

A request from a University employee, Thomas Cooper, Hutchins School, has been determined eligible to receive donated sick and vacation leave benefits due to a catastrophic illness/injury. To donate, navigate to:

http://www.sonoma.edu/hs/erc/leaves/-catleavedonations.shtml

The form should be printed,
signed, and returned to
Payroll and Benefits in Salazar Hall 2079.

Questions regarding this program can be directed to Terilynn Bench, Employee Relations Representative/ADA Coordinator, 4-2227, terilynn.bench@sonoma.edu.