The winter 2006 issue of SF State Magazine, now online, illuminates the many ways SF State alumni, faculty and students are contributing to the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond.

In the cover story, "Dispatches from Danger Zones," two alumni take readers behind the scenes of one of the most perilous professions: overseas reporting. After surviving a kidnapping in Gaza last summer, Fox News correspondent Steve Centanni (B.A., '77) discusses his captivity and why he risks his life to bring viewers the news from war-torn lands. Meanwhile fellow alumnus Lucian Read (B.A., '01), a freelance photographer, discusses his work as an embedded photographer in Iraq.

Cinema Chair Steve Ujlaki, a film industry veteran, discusses his path to SF State in "The Director's Chair" and how his experience informs his work at the University. The profile highlights his role as head of SF State's Documentary Film Institute and his help bringing to its board Martin Scorsese, Richard Leacock, D.A. Pennebaker and other luminaries.

"An International Education" introduces readers to just a few of the nearly 2,000 students who have traveled the globe to study at SF State. These international students -- a botanist, designer and reporter among them -- explain why they chose SF State, the No. 1 master's degree-granting destination for international students for the second year in a row.

Yomi Agunbiade (B.A., '92) credits SF State with putting him on the fast track to a successful career in public service in "Behind the Greens." The profile looks at his work as general manager of the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, where he oversees the upkeep of the city's more than 200 playgrounds and parks.

The magazine's "Campus Beat" department brings news of the latest University developments, including a look at its new Downtown Campus set to open Jan. 24 in the Westfield San Francisco Centre.

"New Releases" highlights the latest publications and musical recordings from faculty and alumni while "Gator Art and Entertainment" provides information on where graduates are displaying their creative talents in San Francisco and across the country.

Magazines are available at a number of campus locations including the information desks at the Cesar Chavez Student Center and Administration building.

Readers may notice that the magazine is no longer SFSU but rather SF State Magazine. The title is consistent with the new University logo. For a free window decal of the new logo, send your name and address (and years attended/graduated, if an alum) to logo@sfsu.edu.

The magazine's reader survey takes just a few minutes to complete and responses will be taken into consideration as the staff plans future issues.

The SF State Magazine Web site also includes an easy way to request a back issue, update an address and send a class note or letter to the editor.

--Adrianne Bee