May 11, 2013(San Diego) — In 1963, President John F. Kennedy gave the commencement speech at San Diego State University and was awarded SDSU’s first honorary doctorate degree. Fifty years later, as SDSU prepares to confer degrees upon nearly 9,100 students May 16-19, his words on the importance of higher education for our nation’s future are still just as meaningful.

“A lot of what JFK said at that time continues to be relevant, including his recognizing California and San Diego State as premier sites of higher education,” said Rob O'Keefe, president of SDSU Associated Students. “Fast-forward to today, we see how things have progressed, how in just the past year things have been truly transformational for this campus.”

Half a century ago, Kennedy told SDSU graduates, "As a nation, we have no deeper concern, no older commitment and no higher interest than a strong, sound and free system of education for all...In fulfilling this obligation to ourselves and our children, we provide for the future of our nation—and for the future of freedom." He reflected on the educated founders of our nation, the importance of an educated populace for the future, and the disparities in educaitonal opportunities across the nation.   View video of Kennedy's 1963 SDSU commencement address.

May 11, 2013 (San Diego) – An armed gunman tried to abduct a women in the College area shortly after midnight  According to an alert sent by San Diego State University police, the suspect approached the victim in the 5800 block of Linda Paseo at 12:18 a.m. and asked if she was alone. He displayed a black handgun and told the victim to “get in the car.”

She refused and was not injured. The suspect was last seen walking toward College Avenue. He may be driving a black Ford F-150.  He is describe as a white, 6 feet 1 inches tall, wearing a blue T-shirt, blue jeans, a tan jacket, possibly white shoes, and rectangular glasses.

May 8, 2013 (San Diego) – San Diego State University will celebrate Commencement 2013 from May 16 to 19, graduating 9,038 degrees candidates.  There will be eight separate ceremonies throughout the weekend. By tradition, SDSU’s Commencement ceremonies include a processional, introductions, awards, a speaker and a recessional. Each processional is led by a grand marshal carrying a college banner, followed by the faculty marshals donned in full academic regalia. This year’s speakers include former Mayor Jerry Sanders, business leaders, and Kumeyaay.com founder Larry Banegas, among others.

April 21, 2013 (San Diego) – San Diego State University (SDSU) police have issued an alert to warn students of a man who grabbed a woman, 20, who was walking in the south alley of 5600 Montezuma Road just off campus this morning at 3 a.m.  The suspect is described as an Asian male, tall with spiked hair,  in  his mid-20s, wearing black-framed glasses, a white shirt and light jeans.  He fled in a black four-door BMW toward Campanile Drive.

According to police, the suspect  walked up to the victim, grabbed her arm and leg and attempted to pull her. She suffered no injuries and no weapon was used in the incident.

Story credit:  SDSU News Center

April 18, 2013 (San Diego) – California State University Chancellor Timothy P. White will visit the San Diego State University campus April 24 and 25.  In addition to touring the campus and meeting with university representatives, Chancellor White will host an open forum for all members of the university community.

The forum will take place on Wednesday, April 24 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Athletics Auditorium in the Fowler Athletics Center.

At the open forum, Chancellor White will provide brief remarks and take questions from members of the audience.

Savor the flavors from more than 20 restaurants to suit your fancy at the College Area Taste on Sunday, April 14 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door. 

To purchase tickets, visit   https://tix.extremetix.com/Online/?siteID=1526&cartID=edf319ce-ae52-424b-b4cb-0413e46ffdbd.

March 26, 2013 (San Diego) – With more than 350 education abroad programs in more than 50 countries, international study is a central part of the educational experience at San Diego State University. Through the university’s Office of International Programs and the College of Extended Studies, SDSU continues to expand its international offerings to include educational, research and service-learning programs.

This spring break, April 1-5, many SDSU students will travel abroad to prepare for positions of leadership in a global society. Some of the highlighted destinations include South Africa, Mexicali and Guatamala.

Detailed descriptions of suspects and vehicles including partial license plate

January 20, 2013 (San Diego) – San Diego State University Police have issued a crime alert to warn students of an armed robbery that occurred at 6:30 p.m. tonight in the 5400 block of 55th Street.  According to campus police, the victim was approached by six suspects armed with handguns who demanded the victim’s property.

Five suspects were African-American adults, four wearing ski masks. They left the scene in a Grey Dodge Challenger with partial CA license plate of X354.  The sixth suspect was a white male adult, six feet four inches tall, wearing a white baseball cap and grey basketball shorts. He left in a silver Chrysler 300.

Congresswoman Susan Davis to Host Forum

October 25, 2012 (San Diego)--The Federal Government buys nearly anything imaginable and Congresswoman Susan Davis has assembled a Small Business Forum for local business owners, so that they may learn how to break into this huge marketplace.

October 22, 2012 (San Diego) – On Thursday, Oct. 25, Poetry & Art Series 2012 features Poetry International with special guests Steve Kowit, Sandra Alcosser and Camille Dungy.  These renowned authors will read with select MFA students from SDSU.  The Blacks Sands will make music.  This arts and culture event takes place in the Museum of the Living Artist, 1439 El Prado, Balboa Park.  Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for snacks, music, poetry, and more.  Members are free, $5 at the door or bring wine to share and get in free.

Poetry International is an annual literary journal published by SDSU with Ilya Kaminsky as editor-in-chief.

Students set new records of success on all fronts

October 22, 2012 (San Diego) – San Diego State University students have set new records in graduation and continuation rates. And new campus census numbers released last week show that SDSU continues to be a national leader in eliminating the “achievement gap” between students of color and their counterparts.

The six-year graduation rate, which is the national benchmark for graduation rates, is at an all-time high of 66.5 percent at SDSU, up from 65.7 percent last year. For students of color, that number is at a record 63.5 percent, an increase from 61.3 percent in 2011.

Dept. of Energy grant will turn a theory and a lab model into a full-scale testing device.

October 22, 2012 (San Diego) – For the last few years San Diego State University engineering professor Fletcher Miller has been working in his campus lab to prove a theory about a more efficient way to produce solar energy. Thanks to a U.S. Department of Energy grant of $3.9 million, he will now be able to test his theory in a more realistic scenario.

The grant, from the SunShot Initiative, will enable Miller and his team of graduate and undergraduate student researchers to take a lab-scale model and, over the next four years, develops a full-scale model that will be tested at the National Solar Thermal Testing Facility in New Mexico.

October 15, 2012 (San Diego) – San Diego State University announced on Thursday, October 11 a transformative gift from two former faculty members. Professors Emeriti Carey Wall and Terry O’Donnell have partnered on a $2.4 million dollar gift to SDSU’s musical theater program.

Wall’s and O’Donnell’s gift will endow a faculty position in the nationally renowned program.  The funding ensures SDSU musical theatre students will continue to have opportunities to learn from top faculty members.

SSDSU and Olympic Gold Medalist Keshia Baker partner with the new Helen Knoll Foundation to promote breast cancer prevention

October 10, 2012 (San Diego)– San Diego State University will co-host the “ThinkPink@SDSU” breast cancer health fair with the Helen Knoll Foundation. The event is designed to educate women aged 18 to 40 about their breast cancer prevention and early detection options. Breast cancer is 98% treatable if caught in the early stages.

October 5, 2012 (San Diego) -- Mid-October is Homecoming week for San Diego State University. This year’s homecoming theme is “Paint the Town Red”--something the Honorary Chair and Grand Marshall for the festivities – The Show – knows all about!

SDSU will host several events starting Sunday, Oct. 7 and leading up to the homecoming football game against the Colorado State Rams on Saturday, Oct. 13, 2012 at 3:45 p.m. at Qualcomm Stadium.

Six SDSU alumni are part of the Mars Science Laboratory team that landed the Mars Rover "Curiosity" on the planet.

By Gina Jacobs
 
August 9, 2012 (San Diego)--At approximately 10:31 p.m. PDT on Sunday, Aug. 5, the Mars Rover “Curiosity” touched down on Mars where it began a long-term exploration mission of the red planet.

By E.A. Barrera

May 23, 2012 (San Diego) -- Steve Danon has been active in Republican politics since his days as College Republican president at San Diego State University. He has worked for Republicans ranging from Supervisors Dianne Jacob and Ron Roberts to Congressman Brian Bilbray.

He is one of a new generation of youthful conservative leaders emerging in San Diego that include Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher and City Councilman Kevin Faulconer (both of whom have endorsed Danon).

We still have tickets left! Students $10; $35 tickets for ECM subscribers

March 1, 2012 (San Diego) – If you care about the future of our region, come join a grassroots movement and discussion to shape the energy, water, transportation and food policies of tomorrow.  Should we be investing in rooftop solar or wind farms?  Algae-based fuels or offshore drilling? Greenbelts and community gardens? These are questions that can dramatically affect the future for our children in San Diego and East County.

The Conference will be held in ENS 280; park in lot 2.  Find a map and details at www.unitedgreen.org .  The event kicks off at 9 a.m. Saturday with a continental breakfast.   Famed environmental leader and nationally-known “Ring of Fire” radio host Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will deliver the keynote speech at 3:30 on Saturday. Other participants include members of Congress and Congressional candidates,  scientists, environmental planners, authors and educators. 

February 28, 2012 (San Diego)—A coalition of students and faculty at San Diego State University plan to walk out of class Thursday, March 1 at 12 noon. A rally will follow at the Scripps Cottage Patio, 5500 Campanile Drive, as part of a National Day of Action for Education at universities across America.

Over the last decade, students in the California State University system have seen their tuition and fees more than double. At the same time, budget cuts have reduced course availability and increased class sizes.

Special early-bird rates for ECM members now available

January 28, 2012 (San Diego)--Environmental law professor Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. will be the keynote speaker at UnitedGREEN’s second Forging a Sustainable Future Symposium March 3 and 4, 2012 at San Diego State University.

Kennedy is a professor at Pace University, lead counsel for the Natural Resources Defense Council, and founder of the Waterkeeper Alliances. Son of former U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of the late President John F. Kennedy, he will share his vision for the future.

Tickets are now on sale at www.UnitedGreen.org. Tickets for East County Magazine members/donors is just $35 for those who reserve by February 15, since we are an affiliated organization of UnitedGreen through our parent nonprofit Heartland Coalition. (Cost for non-members is $95, and $35 for all students). 

 
Editor’s note:  When Governor Jerry Brown spoke at San Diego State University last year, he pledged to support public education and fight to restore funding. Now he seeks support from voters for a ballot initiative to raise funds to restore deep cuts made in funding for public schools including grades K-12, colleges, and universities in California.

September 11, 2011 (San Diego) – San Diego State University (SDSU) now offers text and e-mail emergency alerts for students, employees and their families, as well as community members in the College area. The alerts cover critical situations on campus.

 
 
 
August 27, 2011 (San Diego) -- San Diego City Councilmember Marti Emerald will to run for a second term on the City Council, but will do so in the newly created Council District 9. Emerald has represented District 7 since 2008. The Councilmember recently sold her home in Tierrasanta and moved to the San Diego State University (SDSU) area, which was also in her 7th District. However, the San Diego Redistricting Commission has included the SDSU area in the city’s new 9th District.
 
 

Update: This missing person has been located, San Diego Police reports.

July 27, 2011 (San Diego)—Ariana Khair, 19, was last seen on Saturday, July 23 in the area of 5400 El Cajon Blvd in San Diego, San Diego Police reported today.

Juggler/comedian David Lucas joins lineup July 17 at Moxie Theater

July 15, 2011 (San Diego)—Something funny is happening in San Diego’s eastern region. Brew Ha Ha, the popular comedy group founded by Diane Jean and Chris Clobber, is now performing regularly at two locations near San Diego State University: San Diego Desserts and the Moxie Theater.
 

On Sunday, July 17, international juggler and comedian David Lucas will headline a show at the Moxie Theater, 6663 El Cajon Blvd.

By Breanna Feathers

April 12, 2011 (San Diego)--While the Spring semester comes closer to an end and daunting final exams creep up on students at SDSU, an exciting project is underway to build a new, sustainable Aztec Center.

During March 2010, students voted in favor of a $94 per semester fee increase, from which funding would be provided to tear down the current Aztec Center and rebuild this improved facility. Currently, Aztec Center is not able to service the growing number of students who use the facility, and alternative plans to renovate the structure because of imminent safety concerns would actually cost the University more than it would to rebuild it in its entirety.

Fundraiser to provide Japan relief set for March 25

By Jeremy Los

March 16, 2011 (San Diego) -- Following the destruction of the 9.0 magnitude quake and tsunami that hit Japan last Thursday,  many on the San Diego State campus feared for those studying abroad and for the families of the over 100 Japanese students at SDSU.  Shortly after the tsunami, SDSU confirmed on its website that at least 12 of the 16 students studying in Japan were safe and unharmed. The other 4 students were also believed safe because they were studying hundreds of miles away from the areas hardest hit.

“As it stands now all sixteen students traveling abroad in Japan are safe and we’ve communicated to each directly,” SDSU Media Relations Manager Gina Jacobs advised ECM in a subsequent update.

March 10, 2011 (San Diego) - Steve Fisher, San Diego State men’s basketball head coach, has earned Mountain West Conference co-coach-of-the-year accolades, the league announced Monday.  Fisher, in his 12th season at SDSU and 20th overall, garners his first-ever conference coach-of-the-year award and shares it with Brigham Young’s Dave Rose. 

Fisher led the Aztecs to a share of the Mountain West regular-season title with a record of 14-2. He was previously named national coach of the year in 1992.

by Christopher Mohr

December 25, 2010 (San Diego) - The San Diego State University Aztecs won a bowl game for the first time in 41 years with a 35-14 victory over the U.S. Naval Academy Midshipmen Thursday night (12/23) at Qualcomm Stadium. Ronnie Hillman scored four touchdowns and rushed for 228 yards to lead the offense.

That the game even took place as scheduled was nothing short of a miracle. Flooding from recent storms submerged the field in water up to two feet deep in some places 24 hours before the game.

Grand opening at Café Europe is third location for Brew Ha Ha comedy shows 

By Tanya Huang

December 14, 2010 (San Diego) — In the midst of cramming sessions for finals, San Diego State students eagerly sought the comedic relief of Brew Ha Ha’s talented acts at Café Europe on El Cajon Boulevard. The wide array of caffeinated beverages and comfort food served at Café Europe provided the ideal escape from textbooks and lectures. Students and community members were relieved to remedy their stress with effortless laughter and a slight caffeine buzz.