VISUALIZING HUMAN HEALTH AND DISEASE WITH MEDICAL IMAGING--Dr. Bruce Hasegawa of UCSF and UC Berkeley will show how the principles of physics and engineering guide the development of medical imaging techniques that use radiation to assess human health. What Physicists Do Lecture Series. 4 p.m., Monday, Nov. 1, Darwin 108, (707) 664-2119.
THE BELIKIN BLUES: RUNNING AN ETHNOGRAPHIC FIELD SCHOOL IN BELIZE--Lecture by John Wingard of the SSU Anthropology Department. Brown Bag Lecture Series. Noon, Tuesday, Nov. 2, Stevenson 2011, (707) 664-2112.
ELECTION POST-MORTEM--Lecture moderated by David McCuan, Political Science, with panel guests Ruben Arminana, SSU President, Andy Merrifield, Political Science, and Kathleen and Gerald Hill, Lifelong Learning. It Matters! Lecture Series. Noon, Wednesday, Nov. 3, Schulz 3001, (707) 664-4240.
UNCOVERED: THE WHOLE TRUTH ABOUT THE IRAQ WAR--The story of how truth became the first American casualty in Iraq. Filmmakers Respond to War Film Series. No charge. 3 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 3, Art 102, (707) 664-2364.
SERENDIPITY: ROBOTS, DAGS, AND SALMON BIOLOGY--Lecture by Peter Baker of Stillwater Science. Serendipitous occasions where one was able to make progress on a problem with the help of knowledge acquired from an unexpected source will be discussed. M*A*T*H Colloquium. 4 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 3, Darwin 108, (707) 664-2368.
CINEFORUM SPANISH FILM SERIES--Explore the world of Spanish-language film with the SSU Spanish Department. This week's film is "Cuentos de Hadas para Dormir Cocodrilos (Fairy Tales to Put Crocodiles to Sleep)." 4 p.m., Wednesday, Nov 3, Stevenson 3030, (707) 664-2351.
A TUTORIAL ON CREATING TUTORIALS--Lecture hosted by Jeffrey Diamond of Santa Rosa Junior College. This talk is a short tutorial on how to combine video, audio and Flash to create online tutorials. The focus will be utilizing the software application Camtasia Studio to capture events occurring on the computer screen. Computer Science Colloquium. Noon, Thursday, Nov. 4, Darwin 108, (707) 664-2667.
ECOLOGIES AND IDEOLOGIES OF LANGUAGE AND LITERATURES--Lecture with Robert Train of SSU's Modern Language and Literature department. Arts and Humanities Research and Creative Works Forum. Noon, Thursday, Nov. 4, Schulz 1121, (707) 664-2146.
GEOLOGY SOILS AND WINE QUALITY IN RUSSIAN RIVER GREEN VALLEY APPELLATION--Lecture hosted by Terry Wright, SSU Geology. Geology Department Lecture Series. Noon, Thursday, Nov. 4, Darwin 337, (707) 664-2334.
DEVELOPMENT OF RESPIRATORY RHYTHM GENERATION IN AMPHIBIANS: DOES ONTOGENY RECAPITULATE PHYLOGENY?--Lecture with Dr. Michael Hedrick, Department of Biological Sciences, CSU Hayward. Biology Colloquium. 4:15 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 4, Darwin 108, (707) 664-2189.
PICCADILLY--A groundbreaking black and white spectacle of Jazz Age England. In this film, Anna May Wong portrays a dishwasher who becomes the toast of London, and the object of the nightclub owner's sexual obsession. Sonoma Film Institute. 7 p.m., Friday, Nov. 5, Warren Auditorium, (707) 664-2606.
How some SSU art students might "visualize democracy" -- from hanging chads to variations on voting booths -- is the theme of a new exhibit opening at the University Art Gallery on Friday, Oct. 29 and runs through January 5, 2005. An opening night reception is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
In an attempt to spur voter participation and political dialogue, the University Library Art Gallery at Sonoma State University teamed up with SSU's advanced Gallery and Museum Methods students to present "Visualizing Democracy: A Juried Student Exhibition."
The show consists entirely of works in all media submitted by more than 70 students from across campus. Student curators cut the choices down to 35 entries.
The exhibit ranges from black and white photographs of anti-American graffiti found on walls in Italy to several sculptural works that are a variation on voting booths. Several pieces incoroporate or mimic American flags, while others interpret the theme of democracy more abstractly.
There are works that deal directly with voting and include voter registration forms and a pile of "chads", and there are several works that deal directly with the war in Iraq - a painting of flag-draped coffins, for example, and an installation made by a student who is also a Vietnam veteran.
Some of the pieces aresatirical or whimsical, while others are very serious and quite pointed. "It is definitely a wide range of responses to the theme of democracy, all expressed through works of art made by SSU students," says art professor Michael Schwager.
The show is part of a larger program for the fall 2004 semester entitled It Matters! Engage. Participate. Vote . Coordinated through the University Library, the program is designed to provide students and the community an opportunity to explore together the vast notion of voting, civic engagement, and what it means to live in a democratic society.
University of California president Robert C. Dynes will visit Sudden Oak Death research sites at Sonoma State University's Fairfield Osborn Preserve in Penngrove at 10:55 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 26. Local media are invited to attend.
The Preserve is one of the prime research sites in California into the causes of the disease and how it is spread. Dave Rizzo, UC Davis pathologist who first identified Phytophthora ramorum as the agent that causes Sudden Oak Death, will discuss the work to combat it's spread. In addition to causing mortality in oak and tan oak species, the pathogen causes non-lethal leaf and twig infections in over 25 plant species.
Scientists at Sonoma State University have been studying the ecology, host genetics, and spread of P. ramorum since 2001.
Ongoing research projects at SSU include:
* Humans and other vertebrates as dispersal agents
* Effects of landscape heterogeneity on infection level
* Population genetics and susceptibility of bay laurel
* Influence of land-use history on pathogen establishment
* Early-detection survey in California
* Mapping the risk of establishment and spread in California
* Spatial modeling and simulation of P. ramorum population dynamics
* Predicting the establishment and spread of P. ramorum
Research at the Preserve is also conducted by investigators from UC Davis, UC Berkeley and the United States Forestry Service.
Dynes is visiting the Napa and Sonoma regions as part of his inaugural tour of the state.
For more details, contact Abby Lunardini, UC President's office, (510) 332-7008.
RETURNING HOME- A breathtaking and groundbreaking dance documentary in which Anna Halprin, pioneer of postmodern dance, uses movement as a means of connecting the individual to nature, and art to real life. Filmmaker Andy Abrahams Wilson will appear in person. Sonoma Film Institute. 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 24, Warren Auditorium, (707) 664-2606.
HOPE IS THE THING WITH FEATHERS- A lush and lyrical film built around a poem that San Francisco poet and artist Beau Riley wrote as his lover of twelve years lay dying. Filmmaker Andy Abrahams Wilson will appear in person. Sonoma Film Institute. 4 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 24, Warren Auditorium, (707) 664-2606.
BE AN INFORMED VOTER - Workshop on finding and evaluating election-related information. Part of the SSU Library's It Matters! voter information events. Noon, Monday, Oct. 25 and 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 28, Schulz 2050, (707) 664-4240.
TESTS FOR NEWTON'S LAW OF GRAVITY AT SUB-MILLIMETER DISTANCES - Dr. Aharon Kapitulnik of Stanford University discusses the motivation for testing Newton's inverse-square law at short distances and will describe novel devices that are used to measure possible deviations from this law. What Physicists Do Lecture Series. 4 p.m., Monday, Oct. 25, Darwin 108, (707) 664-2119.
BIG SITES, BUT WHOSE? SETTING UP AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL PROJECT IN PERU - Lecture with Bruce Owen of the SSU anthropology department. Brown Bag Lecture Series. Noon, Tuesday, Oct. 26, Stevenson 2011, (707) 664-2112.
ASK AND TELL - GAY VETERANS SPEAK ON WAR, PEACE, AND 'DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL'--Lecture featuring Michael Job, Vietnam Combat Veteran and Veterans for Peace and Keith Kerr, Brigadier General (Ret.) US Army & Army Reserves. Sponsored by the History Department. Noon, Tuesday, Oct. 26, Stevenson 1002, (707) 664-2424.
DECISIONS, DECISIONS, DECISIONS: HOW DO WE DECIDE? - Panel discussion moderated by Catherine Nelson of the SSU Political Science Department, with panel guests David McCuan of the SSU Political Science Department and Robert Eyler of the SSU Economics Department. It Matters! Lecture Series. Noon, Wednesday Oct. 27, Schulz 3001, (707) 664-4220.
UNPRECEDENTED--This hour-long documentary follows reporter-sleuth Greg Palast on the trail of the Bush family, from the Florida election, to the Saudi connection, to the FBI investigation of the bin Laden family and the State Department's plans for post-war Iraq. Filmmakers Respond to War Film Series. 3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 27, Art 102, (707) 664-3040.
MATHEMATICAL MODELS AND SPOTTED OWL POPULATIONS--Lecture by Dan Munton of Santa Rosa Junior College. The natural history of the spotted owl will be explored along with mathematics and statistics to form several mathematical models. M*A*T*H Colloquium. 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 27, Darwin 108, (707) 664-2368.
TRACING OpenGL'S CURRENT EVOLUTIONARY PATH--Lecture with Vicki Shreiner and David Shreiner of Silicon Graphics. This talk looks at OpenGL ES for embedded devices (e.g., cell phones), OpenGL 2.0 and its new programmable shading capabilities, and OpenGL's interaction with OpenML and the Khronos Group for digital media applications. Computer Science Colloquium. Noon,Thursday, Oct. 28, Darwin 108, (707) 664-2667.
WHY EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY AND GENOME SCIENCES NEED EACH OTHER--Lecture by Dr. Jeffrey Boore of the Evolutionary Genomics Department at UC Berkeley. Biology Colloquium. 4:15 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 28, Darwin 108, (707) 664-2189.
DEAD MAN WALKING: THE JOURNEY CONTINUES, WITH SISTER HELEN PREJEAN--Sister Helen Prejean, social justice advocate, outspoken opponent of capital punishment, and author of "Dead Man Walking: An Eyewitness Account of the Death Penalty in the U.S." will host a discussion about her personal account of working with death-row prisoners and witnessing state executions. 7:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 29, Cooperage, (707) 664-2537.
GRADUATE SCHOOL FAIR - The annual Graduate School Fair takes place on Wednesday, October 27, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. outside Salazar Hall. More than 50 graduate and professional schools will be represented. Kaplan will be presenting a workshop on "Applying to Graduate School" from 2:15-3:15 in Schulz 1121, followed by Q&A drop in until 4 p.m. This is a very useful workshop with strategies for preparing successful application materials and understanding the role of standardized tests in graduate admissions.
Prospective students wanting to enroll at Sonoma State University in fall 2005 are strongly advised to submit their applications for admission no later than November 30, 2004 says SSU president Ruben Arminana. After Nov. 30, students run the risk of not being admitted to SSU or to other campuses of their choice.
Sonoma is an impacted campus this academic year receiving more applications from qualified students than can be accommodated.
The higher education compact agreed to by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, the California State University system and the University of California provides increased funding for the CSU beginning in 2005-06 through the end of the decade. That means that the CSU will be able to increase student enrollment by 2.5 percent starting in fall 2005.
Students, however, will benefit from applying during the priority application period because campuses will stop accepting applications when they reach their enrollment targets.
Fall 2005 applicants are encouraged to apply electronically by logging onto www.csumentor.edu. CSUMentor is a web-based system that helps students plan and apply to the CSU online. CSUMentor is designed to help students and their families learn about the CSU system, select a CSU campus, finance higher education, and apply for admission. The site offers technical support, course-check, and open and closed campus information.
Students in need of assistance with their electronic applications may call for technical support at 1-800-GO-TO-XAP (1-800-468-6927). The service is open Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.
"More and more people are looking for outdoor opportunities that provide a safe yet thrilling experience, " says Rocky Rohwedder of the Department of Environmental Studies and Planning at Sonoma State University. The answer these days is the unique career field of "outdoor leadership" which can be found everywhere from ecotourism to corporate training to programs for "troubled youth," An introduction to this field is slated at an Outdoor Leadership Symposium from 2-5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 22 in the Environmental Technology Center at SSU.
The symposium consists of short student presentations on a wide variety of topics as well as a panel of outdoor leaders from around the Bay Area. Students in SSU's Outdoor Leadership course will cover how the outdoor leadership field is impacting professions such as counseling, first aid, recreational clothing and equipment, ecotourism here and abroad, and popular as well as instructional media (including television, film and video). The panel will feature current outdoor leaders in the region, including the directors of local organizations providing leadership training as well as expeditionary learning programs.
They include Harrison Hood , Hood Mountain Adventures; Mark Abbruzzese, manager, Santa Rosa REI; Ninna and Martin Muller, Polaris Leadership Consultants; and Brenda Lear, Outdoor Pursuits, SSU.
The symposium is open to the public and is free of charge. Maps and directions to the Environmental Technology Center can be found at http://www.sonoma.edu/ensp/etc.
For more information, contact Dr. Rocky Rohwedder, professor in the Department of Environmental Studies and Planning, at (707) 664-2249.
Sonoma State University criminal justice professor Dr. Barbara Bloom, an expert on women in prison, is available for comment on Martha Stewart's potential experiences in the women's prison at the Alderson Federal Prison Camp in West Virginia.
Dr. Bloom's research and policy interests include women and girls under criminal justice supervision and gender-responsive interventions and services.
She is the Project Director of the National Institute of Correction's Gender-Responsive Strategies: Research, Practice and Guiding Principles for Women Offenders Project.
Dr. Bloom is one of the recipients of the University of Cincinnati Award presented by the American Probation and Parole Association for outstanding contribution to the field of corrections in the United States and Canada.
The award was given for a report she co-authored entitled, "Gender-Responsive Strategies: Research, Practice, and Guiding Principles for Women Offenders." Dr. Bloom has also published an edited volume, "Gendered Justice: Addressing Female Offenders."
She received an MSW from San Francisco State University in 1981 and a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of California, Riverside in 1996.
To reach Dr. Bloom for interviews, please contact Jean Wasp, Media Relations Coordinator, (707) 664-2057.
CLIMATE CONTROL: REDUCING THE ROLE OF CARS IN GLOBAL WARMING--Dr. Louise Bedsworth of the Union of Concerned Scientists will discuss currently available technologies to greatly reduce the impact of automobiles on global warming emissions and current policy opportunities to realize them. What Physicists Do Lecture Series. 4 p.m., Monday, Oct. 18, Darwin 108, (707) 664-2119.
LEARNER-EFFICACY IN UNDERGRADUATE GE COURSES: A DEVELOPMENTAL MODEL--Lecture with Sandi Stein of the SSU Psychology Department. Brown Bag Lecture Series. Noon, Tuesday, Oct. 19, Stevenson 2011, (707) 664-2112.
ALCOHOL AWARENESS WEEK-SURVIVOR STORIES--A group discussion about surviving alcoholism. Part of SSU's Alcohol Awareness Week. 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 19, The Cooperage, (707) 664-2217.
THE NUTS AND BOLTS: INITIATIVES, ELECTORAL COLLEGE AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN--Lecture with Andy Merrifield of the Political Science department and Mike Kiraly of the University Library. It Matters! Lecture Series. Noon, Wednesday, Oct. 20, Schulz 3001, (707) 664-4240.
A GENTLE INTRODUCTION TO TRIGONOMETRIC SERIES--Lecture hosted by Sheldon Axler, of San Francisco State University. This talk will present an introduction to trigonometric series. M*A*T*H Colloquium. 4 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 20, Darwin 108, (707) 664-2368.
CINEFORUM SPANISH FILM SERIES--Join the SSU Spanish Language Department in a screening of the film "El Hijo de la Novia" (The Son of the Bride). 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 20, Stevenson 3030 (707) 664-2351.
ENGINEERING NATURAL BUILDING MATERIALS--Lecture hosted by structural engineer, building consultant and author Bruce King. Green Building Lecture and Film Series. 6 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 20, Cotati Police Facility Community Room, 201 West Sierra, (707) 664-2577.
POETRY SLAM AND MULTICULTURAL FOOD FAIR - An InterCultural Center tradition at which various clubs and organizations such as Hillel, BSU, APIO, FAASSU and MEChA will make ethnic food available for our eating pleasure. This event will be combined with the 6th Annual Poetry Slam, which will feature an open-mic poetry competition. 11:30 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 21, Darwin/Stevenson Quad, (707) 664-2710.
COMBINING NETWORKS AND STORAGE--Lecture by Tina Amper of BlueSky Solutions, San Francisco. Growing companies with growing data can face monumental data storage problems. This talk addresses the issues and offers tips on how to ease the pain, now and in the future. Computer Science Colloquium. Noon, Thursday, Oct. 21, Darwin 108, (707) 664-2667.
AN OVERVIEW OF THE CALTRANS BOREHOLE GEOPHYSICAL LOGGING PROGRAM -Lecture with David Hughes of Caltrans. Field applications related to this lecture will be held in Darwin 326 and outdoors. Geology Department Lecture Series. Noon, Thursday, Oct. 21, Darwin 337, (707) 664-2334.
STRATEGIES AND SOFTWARE FOR MULTIPLE ALIGNMENT OF PROTEIN SEQUENCES -Lecture with Dr. Barbara Chapman of the Department of Biology, SSU. Biology Colloquium. 4:15 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 21, Darwin 108, (707) 664-2189.
RETURNING HOME--A breathtaking and groundbreaking dance documentary in which 80-something Anna Halprin, pioneer of postmodern dance, uses movement as a means of connecting the individual to nature, and art to real life. Filmmaker Andy Abrahams Wilson will appear in person. Sonoma Film Institute. 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 22, Warren Auditorium, (707) 664- 2606.
BUBBEH LEE AND ME -This Emmy-nominated documentary is a hilarious portrait of an extraordinary, ordinary Jewish grandmother and a touching account of her grandson's search for his place in the world. Filmmaker Andy Abrahams Wilson will appear in person. Sonoma Film Institute. 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 22, Warren Auditorium, (707) 664- 2606.
UNITY THROUGH DIVERSITY NIGHT--A celebration of the world's many cultures in honor of SSU's Unity Through Diversity Month. 9 p.m., Friday Oct. 22, The Cooperage, (707) 664-2710.
Celebrated Latina author, playwright, actress, and teacher Denise Chavez will be presenting selected readings from her library of works at Sonoma State University on October 13 in Warren Auditorium. By sharing her work with the community and world as whole, Chavez hopes to convey a message of Latina pride and empowerment.
Chavez is a native of Las Cruces, New Mexico, and teaches creative writing at New Mexico State University. She has been honored many times over for her many novels and plays, receiving the Luminaria Award from the New Mexico Community Foundation, the Woman of Distinction in Education award from Soroptimists International of the Americas, the New Mexico Governor's Award in Literature, as well as the Writers of the Pass award from the El Paso Herald-Post. Additionally, Chavez has garnered several awards for her philanthropic work in her local community.
At her reading at SSU, Chavez will be reading passage from several of her novels, including Loving Pedro Infante and Face of an Angel. Also featured will be her collection of short stories entitled The Last of the Menu Girls. Chavez will talk about what it means to be a Latina, and how that identity and culture has shaped her life.
Chavez is scheduled to appear at several other Sonoma County locations to give more readings and present stories to Sonoma County youth. There will also be a reception on Thursday, October 14 at Kendall-Jackson Winery starting at 7 p.m. Wine and hors d'oeuvres will be served. For more information or to sign up for this event, please contact Barbara O'Hara at (707) 545-0831, extension 578.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
Free Reading at Sonoma State University
Wednesday, October 13, Noon-1 p.m.
Warren Auditorium, 1801 E. Cotati Avenue, Rohnert Park
Free Reading at Windsor Regional Library
Wednesday, October 13, 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
Windsor Regional Library, 9291 Old Redwood Highway, Building 100, Windsor
Storytime For School-Aged Children
Thursday, October 14, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Northwest Regional Library, 150 Coddingtown Center, Santa Rosa
Reception at Kendall-Jackson Winery
Thursday, October 14, 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
Kendall-Jackson Winery, 5007 Fulton Road, Fulton
Suggestion donation for event: $5-10
IN THE LIGHT OF REVERENCE - This film documents Native American struggles to protect landscapes of spiritual significance. Narrated by Peter Coyote and Tantoo Cardinal, the film explores obstacles to religious freedom for land-based practitioners and impacts on sacred sites that range from mining and ski resorts to New Age practices and rock-climbing. Filmmaker Toby McLeod in will appear in person. Sonoma Film Institute. 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 10, Warren Auditorium, (707) 664-2606.
INDIGENOUS PEOPLE'S DAY CELEBRATION - This event seeks to bring exposure and awareness of our indigenous community, moving us closer to social awareness and social justice. Noon, Monday, Oct. 11, Darwin Quad, (707) 664-2710.
RAINBOWS IN THE QUAD--A colorful display of gay and lesbian pride in celebration of National Coming Out Week. Noon, Monday, Oct. 11, Stevenson Quad, (707) 664-2710.
SCIENCE ON MARS WITH SPIRIT AND OPPORTUNITY--Dr. Albert Haldemann of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Caltech will review the adventures and discoveries made by the twin Mars Exploration Rovers "Spirit" and "Opportunity" on Mars. What Physicists Do Lecture Series. 4 p.m., Monday, Oct. 11, Darwin 108, (707) 664-2119.
COMING OUT PANEL--Discussion about the issues of gay and lesbian identity and the act of "coming out of the closet." 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 11, Vineyard Room, (707) 664-2710.
INTEGRATING EMOTIONAL COMPETENCE EDUCATION IN THE SCHOOLS: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES--Lecture with Meri Storino and Maureen Buckley of the SSU Counseling Department about the ways that schools can assess children's emotional competence. Brown Bag Lecture Series. Noon, Tuesday, Oct. 12, Stevenson 2011, (707) 664-2112.
TRANSGENDER PANEL--Panel discussion about transgender issues and current events. Part of National Coming Out Week. 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 12, Carneros Room, (707) 664-2710.
INTERNATIONAL ELECTIONS: THE STRUGGLE FOR VOTING RIGHTS WORLDWIDE--Lecture moderated by Robert McNamara, Political Science, with Clem and Jean Falbo, Emeritus; Steve Bittner, History; and Barry Preisler, Political Science It Matters! Lecture Series. Noon, Wednesday, Oct. 13, Schulz 3001, (707) 664-4240.
DENISE CHAVEZ PRESENTATION--Author Denise Chavez will give a presentation on Chicana literature and her novels. Noon, Wednesday, Oct. 13, Warren Auditorium, (707) 664-2351.
A FEW SURPRISES FROM CALCULUS--Lecture with Scott Farrand of Sacramento State University looks at an unexpected connection between round equations and the standard calculus problem about building an open-top box using a rectangular piece of cardboard. M*A*T*H Colloquium. 4 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 13, Darwin 108, (707) 664-2368.
BREAKING BOUNDARIES: A LOOK AT GENDER IDENTITY IN HIP-HOP DANCE--Lecture with Kristen Daley, Theater Arts, about the place and importance of men and women in the genre of hip-hop and urban dancing. Arts and Humanities Research and Creative Works Forum. Noon, Thursday, Oct. 14, Schulz 1121, (707) 664-2146.
THE ARCHITECTURE OF COLOSSUS, THE FIRST PC--Benjamin Wells of the University of San Francisco hosts a lecture about Colossus, the first electronic digital computer. This accessible, multimedia discussion will compare the architectural features of Colossus with those of modern PCs. Computer Science Colloquium. Noon, Thursday, Oct. 14, Darwin 108, (707) 664-2667.
POPULATION GENETICS OF CALIFORNIA SALMONIDS--Lecture by Dr. Carlos Garza, of the Southwest Fisheries Science Center in Santa Cruz. Biology Colloquium. 4:15 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 14, Darwin 108, (707) 664-2189.
ZOU ZOU--Josephine Baker startled post-war European audiences with her uninhibited sexuality, her exuberant dancing, her highly individualized sense of style, and her sheer, unabashed energy. Co-starring with Jean Gabin, Baker plays a talented Cinderella who takes the place of the lead of a musical revue. Sonoma Film Institute. 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 15, Warren Auditorium, (707 664-2606.
A DIALOGUE ON SAME SEX MARRIAGE--In a one on one panel discussion local community leaders, students, and staff will discuss current issues on same-sex marriage. 7:30 p.m, Friday, Oct. 15, The Commons, (707) 664-2710.
PUBLIC VIEWING NIGHT--Come explore the night sky at the SSU Observatory. This night's focus will be on the Bubble Nebula and Stephen's Quintet. Call ahead, as weather may cancel the viewing. 8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 15, SSU Observatory, (707) 664-2267.
Sister Helen Prejean, the social justice advocate and outspoken opponent of capital punishment, will host a discussion at Sonoma State University entitled "Dead Man Walking: The Journey Continues" in the Cooperage on October 29 at 7:30 p.m. By sharing her personal account of working with death-row prisoners and witnessing state executions, Prejean hopes to educate the community about the condition of today's prisons, the practices concerning executions, and the injustice of America's court systems.
In 1981, Prejean began her now-famous prison ministry. She began to correspond regularly with death-row inmate Patrick Sonnier, and at his request, became his spiritual advisor. Through her experiences with Patrick, Prejean was exposed to the inner workings of Louisiana's system of capital punishment. Patrick Sonnier was executed in Louisiana's electric chair on April 5, 1984.
Anxious to tell the public what she had seen and been privy to, Prejean wrote "Dead Man Walking: An Eyewitness Account of the Death Penalty in the U.S." The book was released in 1993 to critical acclaim and remained on the New York Times bestseller list for 31 weeks. The book was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize, and has garnered many awards since its publication.
In 1996, the motion picture "Dead Man Walking," based on Prejean's bestselling book was released. Susan Sarandon portrayed Prejean, and was awarded the Academy award for Best Actress.
Prejean's discussion is open to the public. A webcast of this discussion can be viewed at http:/ /streaming.sonoma.edu. Admission is $15. SSU students will be admitted free.
This event is part of SSU's InterCultural Center's "Unity and Diversity Month--A Declaration of (Inter)Dependence".
Political analyst Larry Bensky of KPFA will host a live transmission from Sonoma State University of the second presidential debate between President George W. Bush and Senator John Kerry on Friday, Oct. 8.
The debate, scheduled at Washington University in St. Louis, will be shown from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Cooperage on large television screens. Approximately 500 people will be able to watch and participate, say organizers. The broadcast is part of the seventh annual Labor and Social Action Conference to be held on Oct. 8 and 9 at SSU.
This second debate is a town hall meeting, with questions posed by an equal number of "soft" supporters of each candidate chosen by the Gallup Organization. Moderator is ABC's Charles Gibson.
After the debate, comments from a panel of local activists will be broadcast from 7:30-8 p.m. live on KPFA (94.1 FM) to 22 cities through the Pacifica Radio Network. A Town Hall for local audience remarks will follow from 8-9 p.m. Admission is $5-10 sliding scale at the door. Early check-in is advised beginning at 5 p.m.
Bensky is a political analyst and election correspondent for Pacifica Radio Network who has covered national and international events from Iran-Contra to the Democratic and Republican conventions of 2004. He currently hosts "Sunday Salon" on KPFA Radio.
The University hosts the annual Labor and Social Action Conference for youth, labor and community activists. The intent of the program is to offer opportunities for networking and collaboration between activists, community organizations and unions in the North Bay.
Saturday's session will offer various workshops including "Is there a future for progressive politics in the Golden State?, Politics of Hip Hop, Eyes on the Fries - Young Workers in the Service Economy, and Civil Liberties and the Patriot Act." Others include programs on war resistance and the draft, health care, fair trade and outsourcing and the banning of genetically engineered crops.
The cost for the entire conference including lunch, appetizers and the Friday broadcast is $55/$25 (students) with scholarships available. College credit is available from Sonoma State University. For further information call (707) 545-7349 ext.109 or e-mail mfromer@seiulocal707.org. A schedule of classes can be found at http://northbayclc.home.mindspring.com.
Sponsors of the event include Sonoma State University's School of Social Science, the Sonoma Student Union Inter Cultural Center and the North Bay Central Labor Council, Project Censored, ACLU-Sonoma County, Alliance for Democracy of Sonoma County, California Faculty Association-SSU Chapter, California Federation of Teachers, City College of S.F. Labor Studies, Living Wage Coalition of Sonoma County, MAPE-SEIU Local 949, New College of California, New Economy-Working Solutions, North Bay Central Labor Council, North Bay Progressive, Santa Rosa Democratic Club, SEIU Local 707, Sonoma County Conservation Council and the Sonoma County Peace and Justice Center, among others.
In recognition of their outstanding professional achievements and personal contributions to their community, three alumni have been selected to receive Sonoma State University Alumni Association's 2004 Distinguished Alumni Award.
Sonoma State University and the Alumni Association will honor these outstanding graduates, whose occupations range from a medical educator to a zoologist and a semiconductor engineer, during Distinguished Alumni Day, October 14.
Highlights of the day will include a luncheon with President Ruben Arminana, a dedication to these alumni at SSU's Alumni Grove and Brick Path, and visits to classrooms and campus centers. The day will culminate with the Distinguished Alumni Awards Dinner.
The awards dinner includes a 5:30 p.m. reception and a 6:30 p.m. dinner at the Doubletree Hotel in Rohnert Park. The cost for the event is $50 for Alumni Association members, SSU faculty and staff and $55 for non-members. Tables of eight can be reserved for $1,000. Dress is business attire. Those who wish to attend should RSVP by Oct. 10 at (707) 664-2426.
This year's Distinguished Alumni are:
JIM FORD, M.A. MANAGEMENT, 1979. Ford began his career in thesemiconductor industry in Southern California. He worked as a corporate facility director for more than 20 years, and in that capacity applied industrial engineering, construction and project management techniques to the design, planning and management of facilities for corporations such as Honeywell, General Dynamics and Sony Corporation of America and, locally, OCLI and Tegal/Motorola.
He designed environments to increase productivity and organizational effectiveness by making the facilities more responsive to user needs. In 1993, he became a principal of The Fifth Resource, Inc., a Cotati firm committed to assisting businesses grow in Sonoma and Napa counties. The company promotes sustainable economic development through good business practices, employment advocacy, and utilizing engineering tools to develop business and facilities plans.
Ford earned a B.S. in industrial engineering from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, in 1972. Realizing the need to humanize his engineering training, he completed a master's degree in management at Sonoma State University in 1979. He has been an active community volunteer and supports many causes.
As board chair and advocate for the partnership between the Rancho Adobe Fire District and Sonoma State University, he was instrumental in the development of a FEMA grant for more than $300,000 to replace breathing apparatus and other necessary equipment. Ford served as president of the Sonoma State University Alumni Association from 2000 to 2001 and is currently the chair of the Association's campus enhancement committee. He conceived and dedicated the Alumni Grove, Alumni Amphitheater and Alumni Brick Path on the SSU campus.
DOUGLAS D. GAFFIN, TEACHING CREDENTIAL, 1982. As an introductory zoology course instructor to over 1,700 students per year at the University of Oklahoma, Dr. Gaffin's course was consistently rated as one of the most challenging and enjoyable on campus.
His teaching experience began at his alma mater Oregon State University, where he earned a Ph.D. in Zoology and Neurophysiology in 1994. As an instructor in a large-enrollment anatomy and physiology course, Mr. Gaffin was one of the first instructors to use computer technology in the classroom.
He wrote grants for computers, electronic equipment and software to modernize the human anatomy and physiology teaching laboratories - a significant accomplishment when placed in the context of his temporary hire, non-tenure track, position.
The publishing company McGraw-Hill invited Dr. Gaffin to focus groups, and his thoughtful contributions led to him co-authoring a biology textbook entitled "Life." A related project called Active Art sprang from the textbook. Active Art allows instructors to decompose a textbook's art to its core elements, making it easier to use PowerPoint to tell a complex story. Active Art started with "Life," but McGraw-Hill now ties it to each of its major science textbooks.
In addition to his Ph.D., Dr. Gaffin holds a teaching credential from Sonoma State University, and a B.S. from the University of California at Berkeley. He currently holds the position of Dean of University College at the University of Oklahoma.
MARTIN KLEIN, B.A. PSYCHOLOGY, 1982 AND B.A. SOCIOLOGY, 1982. Klein serves as the Associate Dean for Student Services and Administrative Operations at Yale University. In addition, he contributes to medical education and practice by serving as a co-principal investigator for a funded project called "Medical School Participation in Ambulatory Care and School-Based Health Centers," awarded by the New York State Department of Health.
Throughout his career, Klein has advanced developing strong links between education and community involvement through research, special projects, curricular innovations, policy change, and practice implementation.
In addition to his master's degree in public health, and his doctorate in sociomedical sciences, Klein was selected for additional training as a Harvard Macy Scholar at the prestigious Harvard Macy Institute Program for Physician Educators in 2002 and received the honor of a fellowship in Medical Informatics through the National Library of Medicine.
Before accepting the position at Yale University, he was Associate Dean for Primary Care and Associate Director, Center for Primary Care Education at New York Medical College. In these positions he was involved in medical education and developed interdisciplinary programs that broadened the views of medical students and health professionals. He taught courses on clinical skills, community and preventive medicine, and health care in the United States.
Throughout his career, Klein has worked to enhance the medical education for primary care physicians and to improve medical practice. Klein received a Ph.D. from Columbia University, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences in 2000, a M.P.H. from Yale University, School of Medicine in 1986, and a B.A. from Sonoma State University in 1982.
The Distinguished Alumni Awards was established in 1987 to recognize outstanding graduates and former students, and is the highest honor bestowed on SSU alumni by the Alumni Association.
For more information contact the Sonoma State University Alumni Relations Office at (707) 664-2426.
NOTE: Digital photos of the alumni are available upon request.
BLACKBOARDS--Set in a mountain pass on the Iran-Iraq border,this film is about a man who carries a blackboard on his back and devotes his life to teaching frightened refugees to read and write. Admission is $4.50, $4 for non-SSU students and seniors, $3 for SFI members and children under 12, free for SSU students. Sonoma Film Institute. 4 p.m. Sunday, October 3, Warren Auditorium, (707) 664-2606.
BRIGHTNESS ENHANCEMENT FILMS FOR LCD BACKLIGHTING-Dr. David J. Lamb ('94) of 3M Company's Optical Systems Division will discuss the consumer liquid crystal display (LCD) industry and how 3M's microreplication and multiplayer technologies have revolutionized the manner in which these displays are illuminated. What Physicists Do Lecture Series. 4 p.m. , Monday, Oct. 4, Darwin 108, (707) 664-2119.
TUESDAY UNITY MONTH OPENING CELEBRATION- Kick-off of "Unity through Diversity Month" with the SSU Intercultural Center. This event will showcase the talent of the ICC organizations such as Sorority, Inc., Danza Mexica Coyulxauqui, Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano/a de Aztlan, and others! Noon, Tuesday, Oct. 5, Darwin Quad, (707) 664-2710.
AN EVENING WITH JIM GARRISON-Jim Garrison, an author with six books to his credit, including "Civilization and the Transformation of Power," and the co-founder of the State of the World Forum with Mikhail Gorbachev, will speak frankly of his involvement with Soviet-American relations in this lecture. Admission is FREE to students and $5 general admission. 7 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 5, The Cooperage, (707) 664-2785.
IS MEDIA ONLY THE MESSENGER? HOW THE MEDIA IMPACTS ELECTIONS--A panel discussion moderated by Jonah Raskin, Communication Studies, with panel guests Patricia Kim-Rajal, Chicano & Latino Studies and Marco Calavita, Communication Studies. It Matters! Lecture Series. Noon, Wednesday, Oct. 6, Schulz 3001 (707) 664-4240.
CINEFORUM SPANISH FILM SERIES--Films and documentaries in Spanish. This week's film will be "Azucar amarga (Bitter Sugar)." 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 6, Stevenson Hall 3030, (707) 664-2351.
HOW DOES ONE SEE? --Lecture presented by Joe Latulippe of Montana State University. This talk will explore different cells in the layers that compose the visual system and identify them. We will discuss how we can use mathematics to model these cells, & obtain numerical results to verify this model. M*A*T*H Colloqium. 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 6, Darwin 108, (707) 664-2368.
WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?--An exhibit of politicalfabric art of Virginia R. Harris, quilt maker and master fabric artist, challenges the stereotypes of quilt making and the stereotypes of subject matter. Her works will be exhibited in the Sonoma Student Union InterCultural Center Gallery from Oct. 1 to Oct. 29. Reception for the artist, 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 6, ICC Gallery, (707) 664-2710.
SOFTWARE LOCALIZATION - WHAT IS IT?-Lecture with Tamami Tokutake of Autodesk in Marin County who will explain localization and the challenges facing the computer profession. The computer graphics industry will also be discussed. Computer Science Colloquium. Noon, Thursday, Oct. 7, Darwin 108, (707) 664-2667.
BIOLOGY COLLOQUIUM-Lecture presented by Cory Champagne of the SSU Biology Department. Champagne's lecture will cover the physiological adaptation to fasting in the northern elephant seal. 4:15 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 7, Darwin 108, (707) 664-2189.
LABOR AND SOCIAL ACTION CONFERENCE- Larry Bensky, an award-winning journalist who has covered national and international events from Iran-Contra to the Democratic and Republican conventions of 2004, will be Friday night's host to a live teelvison brodcast of the presidential debate between George W. Bush and John Kerry. A town hall forum follows where local audience members can respond. Cost for the evening is $5-10 sliding scale. 5 p.m. early arrvial recommended. 6 p.m., debate begins. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 8, The Cooperage, (707) 664-2710.
IN THE LIGHT OF REVERENCE-Ten years in the making, this film documents Native American struggles to protect landscapes of spiritual significance. Filmmaker Toby McLeod will appear in person. Admission is $4.50, $4 for non-SSU students and seniors, $3 for SFI members and children under 12, free for SSU students. Sonoma Film Institute. 7 p.m. ,Friday, Oct. 8, Warren Auditorium, (707) 664-2606.
LABOR AND SOCIAL ACTION CONFERENCE-- Various workshops will be offered including "Is there a future for progressive politics in the golden state?," "Politics of Hip Hop," "Eyes on the Fries - Young Workers in the Service Economy," and "Civil Liberties and the Patriot Act." The cost for the entire conference including lunch, appetizers is $55 with limited scholarships available. 9 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 9, Warren Auditorium, (707) 664-2710.
