Commencement 2010

It’s that time of year again! More than 10,300 students are expected to walk across a stage at California State University, Northridge this week to celebrate their graduation from the university. Thousands of friends and family members are expected to come to campus to help celebrate. There are nine ceremonies scheduled to take place over four days—Monday, May 17-Thursday, May 20, 2010. For more information see http://www.csun.edu/commencement/

Each student has a personal story.  One inspiring story:

First Lt. in National Guard and Single Mom Leah McGowan to Receive CSUN’s First Outstanding Graduating Veteran Award

Leah McGowan enlisted in the Army when she was 19, temporarily leaving behind her young son so she could complete basic training. In the 10 years since, the 29-year-old Northridge resident has worked as a mental health specialist with the Army, earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from UCLA, was commissioned in the officer corps, joined the National Guard and quickly rose to the rank of first lieutenant, works with homeless veterans for the Veterans Administration, and is now about to receive her master’s degree in social work from Cal State Northridge. http://blogs.csun.edu/news/2010/05/veteran-award/

To read more about some of our outstanding graduates, click here.

Alumna Michelle DeYoung ’09, an international opera star, will receive her Honorary Degree on Tuesday May 18 following the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media and Communication Commencement. http://blogs.csun.edu/news/2010/04/deyoung/

CSU Economic Impact Report

This week, the CSU released its Economic Impact Report. Some highlights:

• CSU creates more than $17 billion in economic activity in California, including job creation on the campuses, reduced unemployment by people who have college degrees, and state and local taxes earned by alumni.
• For every $1 that the State Legislature invests in the CSU, we return $5.43.

State Watch

A bill authored by Assemblymember Bob Blumenfield-- AB 2382: California State University: Doctor of Physical Therapy degrees-- has passed the Assembly floor after moving through the Higher Education, Business, Professions, and Consumer Protection, and Appropriations Committees. While the CSU has not taken a position on this legislation, it would affect Cal State Northridge by allowing the granting of professional doctorates in Physical Therapy at CSU campuses. Cal State Northridge has one of the four PT programs in the CSU and received more than 400 applications to the program for Fall 2009. Without legislation, Cal State Northridge would lose the ability to grant PT degrees. The Physical Therapy profession is taking the lead on securing support and passage of this legislation.   The next step is the State Senate.

For a list of CSU state "priority legislation" see http://ct2k2.capitoltrack.com/report.asp?rptid=U32960

Legislative Aides Association

Thank you to everyone who joined us at the most recent Legislative Aides Association on April 28- which was the final meeting of Academic Year 2009-2010. Some of you indicated an interest in seeing campus during the summer months to learn more about the camps, events, and other activities going on. If there is enough interest, we’ll set up a half day visit. Please reply to this email indicating whether you would be interested, and if there are specific things you’d like to see or experience.

Please mark your calendars for the following 2010-2011 meeting dates

Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Meetings run from 9 a.m. until 10:30 a.m.  Locations TBD.

Federal Watch

U.S. Department of Education Under Secretary Martha Kanter was the keynote speaker at the inaugural Eisner Education Lecture and Colloquium on Tuesday, May 4.  More than 100 community leaders, alumni, faculty and other guests, including Jane and Michael Eisner (Hon.D.’05) attended. Cal State Northridge continues to be nationally recognized for its teacher preparation curriculum and research and was pleased to host the Under Secretary.

CSU Chancellor Reed recently signed a letter (.pdf) urging enactment of a federal DREAM Act this year, either as part of comprehensive immigration reform, or as a stand alone bill.  The letter originated with Arizona State University President Michael Crow and was signed by several other public university leaders, including the UC’s Mark Yudof.

Save the Date! “Sunday Night Lights”

Sunday, August 22, 2010
Save the date for the first “under the lights” soccer game at Cal State Northridge. The women’s soccer team takes on the University of Portland—a national powerhouse in women’s soccer.

Join us before the game from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. at the newly (to be developed this summer) installed Matador Spirit Plaza.

Game time is 7:00 p.m. Players, alumni, donors, community leaders, neighbors, and elected offcials will celebrate the installation of the new lighting.

If your boss or you would like to be a guest at the pre-game celebration and/or the game, please let me know. I have a limited number of tickets.

Check out the New Website for the Valley Performing Arts Center

http://www.valleyperformingartscenter.org/

Do you or do you have friends and family in the Valley who love the arts?

“Cal State Northridge officials have announced the fall schedule for the Plaza del Sol Performance Hall, which includes an inaugural concert by the Moscow State Symphony Orchestra in the university’s highly anticipated new Valley Performing Arts Center Great Hall. The sneak preview of the new state-of-the-arts center, scheduled to officially open in January 2011, will be available only to patrons who buy a 2010 Fall Season subscription, which consists of any four shows in the fall lineup….” http://blogs.csun.edu/news/2010/05/fall-season/

Free Furlough Yoga Summer Session Has Begun!

We’re all affected by the state budget and the national economic situation. In honor of the State Budget Campus Closure Program, the Employee Assistance Program at Cal State Northridge is providing free yoga classes to faculty and staff. As the yoga teacher for the free classes, I’d like to extend an invitation to legislative aides to participate. You can use your campus parking pass when coming to campus for the classes.   Wednesdays at noon in room 230 Redwood Hall.