Hare's study focuses on the capacity of aquatic vegetation to remove or "scrub" excess nutrients and other pollutants from treated wastewater and utilization of the harvested material as biofuel. She initiated the project in Cohen's laboratory as an undergraduate in Spring 2006 and advanced to a graduate program in Fall 2007.

The project has since gained national recognition with three awards, most recently winning a "Pearson Sustainable Solutions Award", and has garnered over $200,000 in funding from a variety of sources, including the California Energy Commission, Bay Area Air Quality Management District and the City of Santa Rosa.

Hareis the fifth Switzer fellow from the SSU Department of Biology in the past nine years. The fellowship program has been active for 22 years and has funded students from universities such as Harvard, Brown, Yale, MIT, UC Berkeley, UCLA, as well as a few CSU campuses.

The fellowship is granted to students who, like Hare, are "innovators, leaders, problem-solvers, focused on tangible results ... with strong leadership, communication and critical thinking skills."

Along with a $15,000 stipend comes lifelong membership in the Switzer Network, which provides awardees with training, career coaching and access to other Switzer Foundation grant programs.

Beyond her role as a researcher Hare is also a devoted educator. Cohen says "she has superbly carried out her duties as a laboratory instructor for several majors and non-majors Biology courses."

Furthermore, she has been "an extraordinary mentor" to six of the nearly twenty undergraduates who have served in Cohen's laboratory since he joined SSU in Fall 2005.

Hare has presented her research to diverse audiences, ranging from local groups, such as the American Business Women's Association Wine Country Chapter, to scientific conferences, including a recent meeting of the Pacific Division of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in San Francisco.

Reeder says that compared to bike commuting in the stifling heat as he did when living in Texas or in the humidity and rain of southern Japan, Sonoma County is an ideal place to ride. Not only is cycling good exercise, good for the environment, and enjoyable, he finds that commuting to work clears his head and gives him the opportunity for some focused thinking.

Reeder is honored to be named Bike Commuter of the Year; still, he would rather see the day when bike commuting were such a common and natural action that an award would seem odd (imagine an award for "Car Commuter of the Year"). To this end, he encourages and helps his students and colleagues become bike commuters also.

Seven of those 14 created "active presentations" of their research activities including PowerPoint presentations and other equipment-assisted communication technology.

The $220,000-per-year McNair Scholars project at SSU helps 25 undergraduate students continue their postsecondary studies at a Ph.D.-granting graduate institution of their choice (after they have earned their baccalaureate degree from SSU, of course).

The main purpose of the four-year, renewable grant project is to place more historically underrepresented students in American graduate schools. Eligible SSU students must be low-income students and first-generation students or be a member of one of the four ethnic minority groups underrepresented in American graduate schools: African-American, Latino/Latina (Hispanic), Native American, or Pacific Islander.

Participants must be very motivated and high achieving students, the type of students who have always known they were going to go to graduate school. In principle the project works with these 25 students for two years, their junior and senior years. Thus, it is best if students are identified at the end of their sophomore year (although other arrangements can be made).

McNair Scholars presenting at the symposium are as follows:

Presenters: Heatherann Brunell and Nazim Bal
Title: Effects of Urbanization on North Bay Freshwater Ecosystems: Surveying Diversity of Macroinvertebrates in Sonoma County Waterways
Mentor: Nick Geist, Biology

Presenter: Chad Griffith
Title: A Krasnosel'skii-Type Theorem Involving P-Superarcs
Mentor: Jean Chan, Mathematics

Presenter: Jennifer Badasci
Title: The Empty Chair: Anna Ella Carroll, the Woman in Lincoln's Team of Rivals
Mentor: Kim Hester-Williams, English

Presenter: Carmen Ward-Sullivan
Title: My Aching Heart: A Look at Women and Heart Disease
Mentor: Jeanette Koshar, Nursing

Presenter: Tanya Robertson
Title: Seeding the Future: Germination Studies of An Endangered Plant
Mentor: Richard Whitkus, Biology

Presenter: Carolyn Smith
Title: Native American Basket Making
Mentor: John Wingard, Anthropology

Presenter: Jeff Goodlund
Title: Composition and Production of an "Americana" Quintet Using Digital Technology
Mentor: Will Johnson, Music

Presenter: Lev Woolf
Title: Need for Structure Predicts Reactions to Public Infidelity
Mentor: Heather Smith, Psychology.

Presenter: Octavio Cervantes
Title: Characterization of Cyanophage Plasmid Libraries
Mentor: None

Presenter: Blair Dub
Title: Children with Challenging Behaviors: Understanding the Techniques and Strategies Preschool Teachers use to Help Children
Mentor: Elisa Velasquez, Psychology
Co-authors: Cliff Mettier, Justin Lutterman, and Elyse Hunt

Presenter: Adam Dye
Title: Harmann Differential Image Motion Monitor Data Reduction and Analysis
Mentor: Scott Severson, Physics

Presenter: Linda Smith
Title: Gift Giving in the Therapeutic Milieu
Mentor: Susan Hillier, Psychology

Presenter: Juan Sosa
Title: Determining the Molecular Weight of Chromium Binding Proteins by Freezing Point Depression
Mentor: Carmen Works

Presenter: Melissa Wood
Title: Hippotherapy As an Effective Form of Treatment for Children with Cerebral Palsy
Mentor: Elaine McHugh, Kinesiology

Presenter: Rachel Francis
Title: Stomatal Function of the Genus Camellia
Mentor: Thomas Buckley, Biology

Presenter: Bianca Brenes
Title: Osteological Examination of Skeletal Remains in 17th Century Poland
Mentor: Karin Jaffee

Presenter: Lauren Stavish
Title: Obstacles to Women's Post-Baccalaureate Educational Attainment
Mentor: Sheila Katz, Sociology

Presenter: Danelle Reddy
Title: The Effects of Pisicosins V1a and V1b and their C-Terminals on Listeria
ivanovii
Mentor: Jennifer Lillig, Chemistry

Presenter: Steve Schaerer
Title: The Analysis of Enzymatic Reduction of Chromium (VI)
Mentor: Carmen Works, Chemistry

Erin Garnett, BA double major in Sociology and Women's and Gender Studies, received first place in the Undergraduate Behavioral and Social Sciences division.

Jeff Christle, MA in Kinesiology, won first place in the Graduate Behavioral and Social Sciences division. Each received a $500 award for first place.

Garnett's research, "Banning Familial Love: Definitions of Family in GLBT-Themed Children's Literature," is a content analysis study that argues that GLBT-themed children's literature defines family on the basis of love, rather than gender and sexuality, and examines its consequences.

She was mentored by Professors Melinda Milligan and Sheila Katz, Sociology. Christle's thesis, "Framing Fatness: "Obesity Epidemic" Discourse in Physical Education," is an analysis of the "Journal of Physical Education, Recreation and Dance," and discusses how physical educators frame the "obesity epidemic" and the future of physical education. His mentor is Professor Ellen Carlton, Kinesiology.

More than 150 students, representing all of the 23 CSU campuses, competed for the awards. Students submitted a summary of their research and then presented orally before a panel of jurors and were evaluated in several areas, including clarity of purpose, appropriateness of methodology, interpretation of results, value of the research, ability to articulate the research, organization of the material, and ability to handle questions from the jury and general audience.

A total of seven students represented SSU at the competition and were accompanied by Jeff Davis, Director of University Support Services and McNair Scholars Program, Sheila Katz, Assistant Professor of Sociology, and Monique Pearl, University Support Services and McNair Scholars Program.

The students who participated, their majors and intended degrees, their projects, mentors, and competition category are listed below:

Renee Cook, BA in Sociology, "Recognizing Stigma: Differences in Diabetes as They Relate to Disclosure and Identity Management;" Prof. Kathy Charmaz, Sociology; Behavioral and Social Sciences, Undergraduate Division.

Jeff Goodlund, BA in Music, "Composition and Production of an "Americana" Quintet Using Digital Technology;" Prof. Will Johnson, Music; Creative Arts and Design, Undergraduate and Graduate Division.

Lauren Stavish, BA in Sociology, "The Role of the Family in Pre-adolescent Nutrition Education;" Prof. Kathy Charmaz, Sociology; Behavioral and Social Sciences, Undergraduate Division.

Kristine Wollam, MA in Kinesiology, "A Qualitative Study of the Sporting Enjoyment of Elite High School Athletes," Prof. Ellen Carlton, Kinesiology; Behavioral and Social Sciences, Graduate Division.

Bradley Yearwood, BS in Physics, "Organic Electrical Conductors: How Many Dimensions?;" Prof. Jeremy Qualls, Physics; Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Undergraduate Division

At Princeton, Kittelstrom will finish her first book, The Religion of Democracy: Liberals and Self-Culture in Evolutionary America, 1838-1912, which locates an origin of modern political liberalism in nineteenth-century religious liberalism, in which figures from William Ellery Channing through William James to Jane Addams used the concept of self-culture to redefine first religion and then the relationship of the self to society.

Described as an "exuberant, dynamic and compassionate spirit," Borenstein plans to be a teacher and has maintained a place on the Dean's List for years, traveled around the world and been involved with Hillel.

First honorable mention was awarded to Shannon Posnick, who will graduate this year and who also intends to pursue a teaching career. "I want to strive to help students grow and recognize their own potential and pursue their passions," she said. Posnick's involvement and leadership on campus has included serving as a leadership retreat facilitator, a Summer O leader, jump volunteer and CSA, all while maintaining her status as a Presidential Scholar with a 3.96 GPA.

Second honorable mention was awarded to Janee Wafer, whose has served as a leader for many campus diversity efforts and has served as President of the Black Scholars United Club. Additionally, she has served as a Summer Bridge Leader, Peer Mentor, Leadership TA and a CSA.

She explains that, through leadership she has "met many great people and received a handful of opportunities that have opened doors for me." Wafer plans to graduate next year with a double major in business and communications.

Estes will be teaching American history at the University of Efurt in the state of Thuringia, a state that part of East Germany before reunification two decades ago.

One will focus on the history of the American South, that will encourage undergraduate students to think about the ways past political and cultural divisions affect contemporary politics, both in the U.S. and Germany. The second class, part of the Masters of Arts program, examines the American civil rights movement and will connect the story of America's struggle with discrimination to international debates about human rights.

More than 30 programs in 20 countries on five continents compete in this international program. The yearly competition, "Pushing the Envelope” is sponsored by the NTL Institute and is focused on "…emerging trends pursued by some of the fields most innovative thought leaders…" (2008 ODN Conference Program)

As part of winning the award, John presented his research at the OD Network Conference on October 21, 2008 in Austin, Texas. Milburn's presentation was well-received and sparked a lively conversation about the way in which OD practitioner's process anomaly data.

In addition to presenting his work, Milburn's paper was recently published in the January 2009 issue of OD Practitioner, the OD Networks flagship and peer-reviewed quarterly publication.

Several other SSU OD graduates have received the same honor in recent past. In 2004, SSU graduate Jeffrey Young won the prestigious award with his paper entitled, "The Journey toward Human Collaboration: A Travelers Guide," and in 2006 SSU graduate Elissa Berrol wrote a winning paper entitled, "Beyond the Shadow of A Doubt, Self-Doubt and the Development of Self As Instrument: Implications For OD Practice.."

The OD program at SSU continues to produce award-winning research papers which make valuable contributions to the field of OD, as well as graduates who are well-trained organization development professionals.

The Organization Development Network (ODN) is an international professional association of organization development practitioners. Their members come from all 50 states of the USA, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and around the world. Some are external consultants; others work within their organizations to promote healthy change.

They may specialize in such areas as human resources, training, leadership or talent development, change management, strategic planning, and a broad range of initiatives designed to make organizations more effective. The main goal of the ODN is "advancing the theory and practice of organization development." ODN can be found at www.odnetwork.org.

Above is Milburn (center) with OD colleagues.

In a reprise of his first visit in 2007, Wilson conducted performances of his own music, which included the patriotic fanfare “Adamas”, dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the State of Israel which Wilson premiered in Tel Aviv last summer. He also led master classes with wind orchestras from the Moscow University of Art and Culture and the Moscow Region “Governor’s” Orchestra. He conducted his “Symphony No. 3, The Agamemnon” at the gala closing concert.

A highlight of the trip for Professor Wilson was a private tour of the Glinka Museum which houses, among memorabilia of Russia’s famous composers, a massive collection of some 3000 instruments.

For more information, visit http://www.sonoma.edu/performingarts or http://www.brianwilson.com.

In January, Glasmeier took over the longest-running continuous planning program in the United States, repeatedly ranked #1 in the nation. She is the twelfth department head since the program was established in 1933 and the first woman to lead what is now the largest planning faculty in the US, possibly in the world.

Glasmeier holds a BS in Environmental Studies and Planning from Sonoma State University and an MA and PhD in City and Regional Planning from Berkeley. She has worked and traveled all over the world, including Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin America, and is currently engaged in a retrospective examination of poverty and poverty policy in the US, work that is leading to new perspectives on the nature and extent of persistent poverty here.

An expert in economic geography, regional planning and spatial statistics, Glasmeier was previously on the faculty of the Pennsylvania State University and the University of Texas at Austin. Most recently, she was the E. Willard Miller Professor of Economic Geography at Penn State and the John Whisman Scholar of the Appalachian Regional Commission.

For more information, visit http://sap.mit.edu/resources/portfolio/glasmeier/

Along with the support of the C. Paul Johnson Family Foundation, Johnson has allowed OLLI the opportunity to achieve unsurpassed excellence through innovative program development, faculty recruitment and dedicated service to students.

Johnson's hard work and dedication earned her an honorary proclamation from the city of Rohnert Park, which she received on Tuesday, Oct. 28 at an awards banquet.

Now serving on the OLLI Board of Directors, Johnson has become a large part of the organization by providing support and guidance. Additionally, as Chair of the OLLI Legacy Circle (a group who have designated OLLI in their estate plans), her inspiration and example have provided one-of-a-kind donor program in the OLLI network. She also initiated the Johnson Family Endowed Student Scholarship Fund that has benefited student scholarship recipients.

Johnson initiated the Johnson Family Endowed Student Scholarship Fund for OLLI that has benefited student scholarship recipients and her generosity through the underwriting of the Annual OLLI Legacy Luncheon has allowed all OLLI donors, regarding of the size of their gift, to attend the luncheon.

Generous annual contributions from over 130 donors, including Jeanne Johnson and the Johnson Family Foundation, comprise over 40 percent of total revenues of the OLLI program. Such donations allow OLLI to remain self-sufficient. More than 12 courses have been underwritten by donors since the program's launch.

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Sonoma State University features courses for mature adults 50 years or better. Courses are offered through the SSU School of Extended Education purely for the pleasure of learning - no tests and no grades. The OLLI courses are taught on the SSU campus for three eight-week sessions.

They are part of the California State University system's International Program created to help students develop inter-cultural communication skills and international understanding.

Students earn resident academic credit on their CSU campuses while they pursue full-time study at a host university or a special study abroad program.

Sonoma State students studying abroad for the 2008-2009 academic year are:

Jessica Cheney, Psychology, University of Madrid, Spain
Ashley Presidio, Business Administration, University of Granada, Spain
Laura Koue, Kinesiology/Physical Education, Victoria University, Australia
Margaret Allen, Communications, University of Uppsala, Sweden
Vanessa Stubbs, Liberal Studies (Hutchins School), Pontificia Universidad Catolica, Chile
Laura Ivarami, Theatre Arts, Concordia University, Canada
Caroline Ammann, French, University of Paris, France
Tessa Will, Kinesiology/Physical Education, Florence, Italy
Jenna Hornbuckle, Sociology, Concordia University, Canada
Claire Nordlie, Environmental Studies/Environmental Science, Macquarie University, Australia
Andrea Howes, International Studies/Global Studies, Florence, Italy
Steven Koning, Business Administration, Universitat Tubingen, Germany
James Morrow, Psychology, United Kingdom, Canada
Jordan Buskirk, Communications, University of Uppsala, Sweden
Janet Hsieh, Human Development, University of Ghana, Ghana
Katherine Butts, Business Administration, Universitat Tubingen, Germany
Melissa Siemer, Mathematics, University of Uppsala, Sweden
Daniel Koblenz, Business Administration, Queensland University of Technology, Australia
Hope Emry, Psychology, Instituto Techologico de Monterrey, Mexico
Bridgette Dussan, Spanish, University of Granada, Spain
Valerie Martin, Kinesiology/Physical Education, Florence, Italy
Courtney Harkins, Liberal Studies (Hutchins School), Concordia University, Canada
Rachel Eriksen, Psychology, Macquarie University, Australia
Kimberly Savage, French, University of Paris, France
Maire McCann, Liberal Studies (Hutchins School), Denmark's International Study Program, Denmark
Mary Elise Cooper, Psychology, United Kingdom, Denmark
Melissa Staffanou, Anthropology, Universitat Tubingen, Germany
Colin Rennie, Computer Science, Universitat Tubingen, Germany
Brian Tetrud, Music, University of Paris, France
Alexandra Teal, Liberal Studies (Hutchins School), Instituto Techologico de Monterrey, Mexico
Tory Marshall, Communications, Florence, Italy
Angela Best, Human Development, Denmark's International Study Program, Denmark
Chris Finnerty, Kinesiology/Physical Education, Victoria University, Australia
Amanda Becker, History, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, South Africa
Angela Pastor, International Studies/Global Studies, Universitat Tubingen, Germany
Annette Batres, Communications, University of Uppsala, Sweden
Greta Marti, Theatre Arts, University of Hull, United Kingdom
Emily Fisker, Communications, University of Uppsala, Sweden
Amy Harmer, Psychology, Denmark's International Study Program, Denmark
Danny Horgan, Exercise Physiology, University of Western Sydney, Australia
Nicolas Mabardy, Kinesiology/Physical Education, University of Western Sydney, Australia
Elizabeth Brown, Spanish, University of Granada, Spain
Rachele Warner, Liberal Studies (Hutchins School), Florence, Italy
Leigh Prezkop, Communications, University of Uppsala, Sweden
Gabriella Gustafson, Kinesiology/Physical Education, University of Western Sydney, Australia
Ryan Hughes, Spanish, University of Granada, Spain
Aaron McIlnay-Moe, Business Administration, University of Aix-Marseille, France
Stacey Pearson, Spanish, University of Madrid, Spain
Kate Terwilliger, International Studies/Global Studies, University of Aix-Marseille, France
Emily Wilson, Theatre Arts, University of Hull, United Kingdom
Michael Robinson, Business Administration, Universitat Tubingen, Germany
Amy Hubbard, International Studies/Global Studies, Universitat Tubingen, Germany
Heather Benton, English Literature, Florence, Italy
Elizabeth Ranalli, Biology, University of Queensland, Australia
Natalee Burnett, English, Instituto Techológico de Monterrey, Mexico
Emily Meredith, International Relations/International Affairs, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Chile
Carin Loseth, Psychology, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Chile
, Global Studies/Spanish, University of Granada, Spain (fall semester).

Humple works in the SSU DNA Analysis Facility to study the impacts of oil spills on Western Grebe populations. The Western Grebe is a sea bird species that is known to suffer severe mortality rates from oil spills on the Pacific Coast.

This prestigious fellowship provides funding, research, and additional training and networking opportunities for "individual leaders who will be driving positive environmental change."

The Switzer also supports projects that will have "measurable positive results on environmental quality for natural and human communities."

This award represents the fourth Switzer fellow from the Department of Biology at SSU in the past eight years. A review of last year's 22 Switzer fellows shows that the awardees were chosen from notable programs, such as Yale, Brown, UC Berkeley, UC Los Angeles, UC Santa Cruz and MIT.

"It appears that there is a developing record of sustained excellence here at SSU in this area of scholarship," stays Biology Professor Derek Gilman in the announcement of Humple’s fellowship.

Above is Humple at Agate Beach where the damage from the oil spill triggered by the collision of the Cosco Busan resulted in death and injury to thousands of sea birds along the Pacific Coast.