Sonoma State University?s Lifelong Learning Institute, in conjunction with the School of Extended Education, will present a free public lecture, "A Morning with Paul Erdman, Bulls vs. Bears: What?s Next for the Economy," on Tuesday, Dec. 11 from 10 am ? noon at the Evert B.Person Theatre. Erdman will discuss the economy, forecast the future and give a global economic perspective with his classic irreverent wit.
Erdman is best known for his novels, which deal with international finance and politics. His books have been translated into 32 languages and in aggregate have appeared for 152 weeks on the bestseller list of the New York Times. Michael Caine starred in the movie version of The Silver Bears. The Swiss Account has been credited (by Time Magazine and others) with prompting the investigation of Switzerland?s behavior in World War II.
He serves on the board of advisors of the School of Foreign Service of Georgetown University. He is a member of the board of governors of the Commonwealth Club of California. His awards include two "Edgars" from the Mystery Writers of America, the Gold Medal from France?s Society of Futurists, and the Media Award for Economic Understanding from the Amos Tuck School of Business Administration at Dartmouth College. He currently divides his time between an apartment in San Francisco and a ranch in Sonoma County.
A world-renowned economist and best-selling financial fiction and non-fiction writer, Erdman has been a contributor to many publications worldwide. These include the New York Times, the Washington Post, London?s Financial Times, and Bloomberg magazine, where he is also a contributing editor. He is a featured commentator at CBS MarketWatch with Erdman?s World.
Erdman, a native of Canada, earned his bachelor?s degree at the School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University, and received his doctorate in economics (summa cum laude) from the University of Basel, Switzerland.
For additional information, call Barbara Brooks at (707) 664.2691.
The 2002 Winter Session of Sonoma State University's Lifelong Learning Institute is coming soon. The session runs from Monday, January 7, 2002 through Thursday, March 1. Registration for classes can be made now through the Open House on January 2, 2002.
Nearly 250 participants completed the inaugural term this past fall when the institute opened its doors to a new kind of student on the Rohnert Park campus.
"The future of LLI looks bright," Les Adler, Interim Dean of Extended Education, said as he reviewed the evaluations and comments from the LLI participants and faculty. "Both our students and faculty found the program inspiring and, in some cases, transformative. Many are already excited about returning for the winter and spring sessions."
LLI is specifically designed to offer North Bay residents 50 years of age or better a variety of courses taught by retired faculty or other experts. Eight-week sessions will be offered this winter from January 7 through March 1, 2002 and spring from April 7 through May 31, 2002. Classes are twice a day, Mondays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. Institute membership of $150 per session, allows enrollment in up to four classes.
The eight courses for the winter session include:
o Ideas in Conflict (Philosophy ? Dr. Phillip Temko)
o International Cinema 2002 (Film Studies ? Dr. Bill Guynn)
o Inventing California: Image and Reality in a Golden Land
(History ? Dr. Daniel Markwyn)
o A Thousand Years of Russian Art History (Art History ? Robert Shaw)
o A Few Big Questions: Religious and Spiritual Issues in the Modern Era
(Comparative Religions and Philosophy ? Dr. Lou Miller)
o The Web We Weave: World Development and Global Environmental Impacts
(Economics/Environment ? Dr. Robert Colman)
o Art and Revolution in Mexico (Art History ? Dr. Anthony White)
o Cuba: The Elusive Nation (Politics/History/Economics ? Dr. Ruben Armi?na)
For a winter course brochure or additional information, call Johnna LaRue at (707) 664-4170.
In response to the introduction of new departments and programs and significant changes in the curriculum of the School of Natural Sciences at Sonoma State University, the school faculty has voted to change the name of the school to Science and Technology. A recent proposal initiated by the faculty indicated that the old name did not adequately address at least half of the nine departments and programs of the school.
The School of Natural Sciences has taken steps to introduce new fields and concentrations in recent years in response to the growth of high-tech industries in the North Bay. The most recent examples of the new programs are the applied physics concentration within the B.S. in physics and the new masters program in computer and engineering science. Additionally, focus on biotechnology has increased which has resulted in the expansion of bioinformatics and DNA sequencing in the department of biology. Millions of dollars have been invested in the School's new engineering science laboratories which are to be completed by fall 2002.
The overwhelming vote of the faculty and the strong support of the administration for the new name indicate the commitment of SSU to enhance its educational offering in high-tech oriented fields. Dr. Saeid Rahimi, the dean of the School of Science and Technology believes that the new name will better describe the high-tech aspects of the School offerings as well as the School's more traditional curriculum.
The University Library at Sonoma State is pleased to announce the opening of the exhibition "Mostly Sonoma County: Photographs by John LeBaron," in the University Library Art Gallery. The exhibition will runs through January 18 with a special reception for the artist on Friday, November 16, from 5:30 - 8 pm. LeBaron will also present a gallery talk at noon on Thrusday, November 15.
The exhibit will feature a variety of black and white photographs primarily of Sonoma County landscapes and people. The photographs provide the viewer a glimpse into the career of this astute visual local historian who has been able to capture typical moments of life in Sonoma County through his inspired lens. Some of the images date as early as 1952 and progress through recent months.
LeBaron, a native of Sonoma county, "has a great love for the powerful natural beauty of this place," which is apparent in all his works. "I don't consider myself to be a landscape photographer in the pure sense of the word. I have many photographic interests. I am interested in shapes and forms, the works of man, the creations of light, and intangible qualities that appear to my sensibilities as a photographer and cause me to react and record them."
Graduating from Sonoma State University in 1976, with a degree in Liberal Studies, LeBaron was a photographer for the Santa Rosa Press Democrat for 20 years from 1948 - 1968. LeBaron served on the faculty of Santa Rosa Junior College, teaching photography for 35 years, before retiring in 1997. Retirement has not slowed him down. He is still taking pictures saying that, "photography for me is an ongoing learning process, there are so many things to be photographed, and so many different ways to do it!"
This exhibition is sponsored in part by the Friends of the University Library. The University Library Art Gallery hours are Monday - Friday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., closed on Saturday and Sunday. A daily parking permit ($2.50) is required M-TH 6 a.m. - 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. - 5 p.m. Fridays except holidays. Daily permits are not valid in reserved lots.
For additional information, contact Karen Brodsky (707) 664-4240
Flying motorcycles, soccer on broomsticks, self-shuffling cards, letters that howl at you when you open them, frisbees with fangs, and flags that play their own national anthems?not only children delight in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter novels and look forward to the upcoming film. SSU students do too.
Potter is now a solid part of the curriculum in Professor Sandra Feldman's Children?s Literature class. "Harry Potter is just one of the restive characters we find in children?s literature," says Feldman. Potter, now famous beyond many of literature?s finest, stands tall next to Tom Sawyer, Huck Finn, and Harriet the Spy.
In English 342 there is a great deal of talk, much writing, and a hefty amount of reading in this "kids lit" course. Most of the forty plus students are working towards their multi-subject teaching credential. As part of their teacher preparation, they delve into the vast body of children?s literature in hopes of gaining methods and insights that will help them in their future roles as educators.
"Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone" is one of five novels the students read along with numerous selections from "The Riverside Anthology of Children's Literature," The other novels include Natalie Babbitt?s "Tuck Everlasting" and J.R.R. Tolkien's trilogy, "Lord of the Rings."
Excerpts from Twain's "Tom Sawyer," the "Diary of Anne Frank", "The Hobbit," "The Wind in the Willows", "Charlotte's Web", "Wizard of Earthsea," Rachel Carson's "The Sea Around Us," nursery rhymes, myths, a collection of folk tales, biographies, and "Little House in the Big Woods," and "The Bridge to Terabithia" are also discussed.
Still one of the highlights of the course for students is reading the first Harry Potter novel. Though the students are required to read only the first in a series of four novels by Rowling, many students end up reading all four because after Harry?s first adventure, readers are hooked.
The reading requirement for the course is hefty, but students delight in revisiting their childhood favorites. "I read this when I was a kid, they say of 'Charlotte?s Web', but " I really didn't see all the detail I now see."
"Some of the best critical essays written in my class," says Feldman, "are those that treat the themes in Harry Potter novels. I encourage students to critically look at the value of the works and think about why they are so popular; I ask them to think about what children learn."
Students discuss things like why novels are banned, or why Rowling has sold more books than any other author of books for children in the history of publishing.
Some students say "The Sorcerer's Stone" is "riveting." "Readers are chilled to the bone by Voldemort and his Dark Arts, yet our hearts are warmed by Harry, the loveable orphaned hero wizard," says Feldman. "His is a story as powerful and compelling as any hero in literary history; he's just much more modern! He?s hip."
Tim Wandling, Chair of SSU?s English Department says that the aspect of mystery in the series is what keeps us reading and Feldman agrees. Wandling likens Rowling?s fourth book, "The Goblet of Fire" to an epic; it's the best of all, he says. Professor Feldman hails Rowling as a "skilled, well read, prolific raconteur; she?s brilliant! The designs of her boarding school thrillers are complex; a second read is often necessary to get all the details."
On Feldman?s radio broadcast on KRCB, "A Novel Idea" she collected a
panel of kids she calls "Potter scholars." "Some of these children have read each of the four books nine times! They know every detail, every character, every event; it?s really uncanny."
Why is Harry Potter so appealing? Feldman says Rowling?s novels cross genres, cultures, and generations. At once they fit into epic, myth, fairytale, legend, and fantasy. The author unspools her tales with vigor and humor. Rowling's worlds are alive with light and dark, magic and the ordinary.
The children at Hogwarts have the same obligations students at SSU have; they must deal with a variety of professors, muster daily, go to class, do homework, be responsible, face challenges and go through the paces all students must go through.
Though Potter takes the lion's share of popularity as kid lit protagonists go, there are many more reads worthy of children's attention. "Our focus at SSU is not only on this very popular novel, but on the works children have been learning from for centuries," the professor adds.
"Reading is everybody's business," says Professor Feldman. "We must all encourage this very creative past time, particularly now. Rowling is just a delightful shot in the arm!."
"The American Drive" is an interactive event that will benefit marketing students and local businesses in the main quad at Sonoma State University on Tuesday, November, 27 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The program is the culmination of a semester-long effort by eight marketing students from the university participating in the General Motors Marketing Internship (GMMI) ? a unique industry-education partnership that gives students the opportunity to put their book-learning to work in a real-world situation.
Over the course of the semester, the students have researched and planned the "The American Drive" event aimed at promoting their client, General Motors and the GM Grad program. General Motors has functioned as the students? clients, providing objectives for them to work towards as well as the money, information, and resources necessary for the students to launch their promotion.
Those who attend the event are in for an exciting day of food, music, and fun, and could end up walking away with one of many prizes, including a cruise, remote control cars, or gift certificates good at local businesses. Event participants will have the opportunity to participate in a pie-eating contest, a home-run derby, or a contest to see how many people can fit into one vehicle while eating some great food and drinks for their participation. Attendees will also get a chance to check out some of Pontiac?s, Chevrolet?s, and GMC?s brands, including the Cavalier, the Aztec, and the Jimmy which will be on display throughout the event.
"It?s going to be a great time to be had by all," says Brian Goodman, head of public relations for Sonoma State University?s student agency, "The General Pro-Motors." "Our goal was to design an event that was fun and engaging, and that helped us to learn about the planning involved for a promotional event, while exposing people to the great General Motors? vehicles provided by various local dealers in the area. We think we?ve succeeded!"
Craig Vickers, Area Sales Manager for General Motors, agrees. "These students have worked very hard and have learned a lot while planning this promotion. We?re glad to have given these students an opportunity to put their knowledge to work while benefiting General Motors, the local dealers, and the local business who have tried to get to this highly sought-after market.
Implementing the "American Drive" event is not the end of the road for the students at Sonoma State University, however. Once the event is complete, the students will get to work researching the effects of the event on their target market. The students will then present the results of this research, along with an evaluation of their event strategy to representatives from EdVenture Partners, as well as General Motors executives. The presentation is a unique opportunity for students to build confidence and develop public speaking and presentation skills.
The student agency at Sonoma State University will be eligible to compete for a General Motors Marketing Internship Scholastic Achievement Award. A national $3,000 award to be given to the top 4-year university and top 2-year community college participating in the program.
To date, GMMI has participated on over 350 campuses nation wide. EdVenture Partners in Berkeley, California manage the programs, in conjunction with General Motors and its divisions.
Dean of the School of Natural Sciences, Saeid Rahimi, and other faculty and staff at Sonoma State University, are proposing that the people of the North Bay area take steps to rebuild part of the destroyed World Trade Center towers in smaller centers throughout their own community, one floor at a time.
Rahimi says the floors, each amounting to 40,000 square feet of office space, could be constructed into local science, technology, business and art centers that "will send a decisive and powerful message to the world that
this great nation has become stronger as a results of the attacks."
"Education is a cornerstone of freedom and democracy, thus the symbolism and practice of building education facilities is even more compelling, " the dean says.
The building could include a monument for displaying the names of the heroes killed in the attacks. The names of all the individuals and companies that helped bring back part of the destroyed WTC buildings could also be displayed in the building.
"Building hundreds of structures throughout the country in response to the destruction of two buildings will send the strongest message to the world that our constructive power is as impressive as our military might," Rahimi said.
The University Art Gallery at Sonoma State University is now exhibiting a show called "Present/Tense: Recent Bay Area MFA Graduates",which will be on display until Friday, Dec. 14.
"Present/Tense" is a selection of emerging artists from several of the region's most distinguished art studio graduate programs and features nine men and women who received their Master of Fine Art degrees in May and June of 2001: William Edwards (UC Davis); Maria Ezcurra (San Francisco Art Institute); Sandra Hemsworth (Mills College); Dianne Jones (Mills College); Richard Martinez (UC Davis); Douglas Slayton (UC Davis); Anna Vaughan (Mills College); and Bambi Waterman (Mills College).
Their work ranges from minimalist-inspired painting and abstracted photographs of the human body to both wall- and floor-mounted ceramic sculpture and mixed media installations. While by no means comprehensive, Present/Tense is nonetheless an exhilarating look at the next generation of Bay Area artists, says gallery director Michael Schwager.
The University Art Gallery is open Tuesday-Friday, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. Admission is free. A daily parking permit ($2.50) is required Monday-Friday; daily permits are not valid in reserved lots.
For more information, call Carla Stone (707) 664-2295.
John Robbins, world-renowned environmentalist and author, will be appearing at Sonoma State University's Cooperidge on Friday, November 30, at 7 p.m. to speak about his newly released book "The Food Revolution: How Your Diet Can
Help Save Your Life and the World". "The Food Revolution" reveals the real story behind genetically modified foods, mad cow disease, and the health effects of the food we eat.
Widely considered to be one of the world's leading experts on the dietary link between the environment and health, Robbin's work has been the subject of cover stories and feature articles in The San Francisco Chronicle, The Los Angeles Times, Chicago Life, The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and many of the nation's other major newspapers and magazines. His life and work have also been featured in an hour long PBS special titled "Diet For A New America".
The only son of the founder of the Baskin-Robbins ice cream empire, John Robbins was groomed to follow in his father's footsteps, but chose to walk away from Baskin-Robbins and the immense wealth it represented to "pursue the deeper American Dream - the dream of a society at peace with its conscience because it respects and lives in harmony with all life forms"
Considered to be a powerful spokesperson in the world for a sane, ethical and sustainable future, Robbins has been a featured and keynote speaker at major conferences sponsored by Physicians for Social Responsibility, Beyond War, Oxfam, the Sierra Club, the Humane Society of the United State, the United Nations Environmental Program, UICEF and many other organizations. He is the recipient of the Rachel Carson Award, the Albert Schweitzer Humanitarian Award, and the Peace Abbey's Courage of Conscience Award. The widespread media attention he has received has included numerous appearances on national shows including Oprah, Donahue and Geraldo. When Robbins spoke at the United Nations, he received a standing ovation.
"The truth," says Robbins, "is that most people care about world hunger, they are deeply concerned about global warming, they abhor cruelty to animals, they know the planet is in crisis. They sense much of the food we eat in this society is unhealthy, they are alarmed about the uncertainties of genetics engineering, and they are looking for ways to express their caring and concern."
John Robbins is brought to SSU by Associated Student Production, the Sonoma Student Union, and the Earth Save Organization. Tickets for this event are $8 for students and $10 for general admission and can be purchased at the SSU Student Union, Copperfield's bookstore and at the door the night of the event.
For more information, call 664-2382.
Wine industry icons will share "real life" insight into the wine industry on Tuesday, Nov. 13 from 5-7 p.m. at Sonoma State University. Speakers include Gina Gallo of Gallo of Sonoma, Erle Martin of Niebaum~Coppola, Peter Mondavi of Charles Krug, and Greg Scott of Pricewaterhouse Coopers. Patrick Wofford from Benchmark Consulting will be the moderator.
Besides the obvious allure, speakers will also share their views of the daily working world of the industry. Topics will include what attracted them to the industry, skills needed to succeed in the wine industry, and what they would do differently if starting over.
SSU's Wine Business Program is sponsoring this informational session for students interested in earning a bachelor's degree in business with an emphasis in the wine industry. A reception will follow, where attendees can discuss issues relating to the Wine Business Program with wine industry professionals and university faculty. Space is limited.
Register for this free event by e-mailing becky.montrose@sonoma.edu or signing up on the Wine Program Board on campus in Stevenson Hall. This event is not a job fair and is primarily intended for potential students.
For further information, contact: David Hehman, Director, Wine Business Program (707) 664-3347 or e-mail david.hehman@sonoma.edu.
Sonoma State University's Academic Senate has approved the principles of a living wage for the North Bay region in a unanimous vote recently.
Rick Luttmann, chair of the faculty said "I am proud that the Academic Senate of Sonoma State University has taken a principled stand on an urgent issue of concern in our community: a just wage for all."
"The minimum wage requirements in our state and nation do not provide a sufficient wage in Sonoma County for a working person to stay above the
poverty line. It is unconscionable that a person who has a job should be making so little income as to remain classified as "in poverty".
The Living Wage principles endorsed by the Academic Senate are as follows:
1. A day's work deserves a fair day's pay and no one who works for a living should struggle in poverty. Government and taxpayer dollars should encourage the creation of jobs that permit workers to live with dignity and
economic self-sufficiency.
2. All workers should receive a wage adequate to cover the costs of housing, transportation, childcare, health care and food. In addition, workers should receive health benefits and compensated sick leave and vacation. A living wage should enable a worker and their family to live without any form of public or private assistance.
3. Paying a living wage provides social and economic benefits for the community as a whole by decreasing the need for public assistance programs and increasing consumer spending in the local economy. Employee productivity, retention, and quality of services will improve for firms paying a living wage.
4. Living wage ordinances apply to workers employed by a city or county, to workers employed by firms and organizations contacting with a city or county. And firms receiving public subsidies or leasing property from a city of county.
5. We believe that implementing living wage legislation in municipalities and at the county level will contribute to building a more just, sustainable, and equitable economy in the North Bay
"We as faculty are particularly concerned, because many of the lowest-paid wage-earners in the area are our own students - struggling to better themselves through attaining a college degree, while at the same time holding down a low-paying job, on which in many cases they have an entire family to support", Luttmann said.
