Volume 55, Number 14   November 12, 2007         

SF State announces Willie L. Brown Jr. Leadership Center
The University has announced the formation of the Willie L. Brown Jr. Leadership Center. Named for one of the most influential African-American politicians in the late 20th century, the Brown Center will be the first program at a major university dedicated to mentoring and developing the next generation of political leaders at the local and regional level.

The center will be headed by Steve Kawa, a long-time aide to Brown during his tenure as mayor of San Francisco. Kawa also served as Mayor Gavin Newsom's chief of staff for three years before joining SF State.

"I spent 15 years 'under the dome,'" Kawa said, "and I recognize the need to attract and develop talent in the public sector. The Brown Center will become a prototype for training future leaders on how to tackle some of our nation's most challenging problems -- education, public safety, housing, transportation, economic development and public health."

Initially, the Brown Center will focus on placing and mentoring 40 SF State students in public sector positions and will host the Brown Speaker Series, focusing on the 2008 local, state and national elections. In addition, SF State will be the recipient of Brown’s large and diverse collection of artifacts, videotapes and state legislative papers compiled during his nearly four decades of public service.

For further details, visit the center's Web site at www.sfsu.edu/~wbcenter

Read more about this ground-breaking discovery at: www.sfsu.edu/~news/2007/fall/80.htm

To qualify for the grant, 40 percent of University faculty must complete a survey by Nov. 30. CTFD would like a response rate higher than 40 percent, which they feel will reflect favorably on the University community's commitment to these issues.

The survey is available at: https://survey2.clearpicture.com/sloan_faculty_2007

The Bridge Initiative is available online at the Center for Teaching and Faculty Development Web site at http://www.sfsu.edu/~ctfd

The film is just one of many events celebrating International Education Week (IEW) Nov. 13 - 17. Launched in 2000, IEW is an annual nationwide celebration of international education, exchange programs and intercultural understanding. For more information, see the Events and Announcement sections of CampusMemo, visit the OIP Web site at http://www.sfsu.edu/~oip/iewcalendar2007.htm, or contact the OIP at ext. 8-1293 or iew@sfsu.edu

• Announced that Faculty Trustee Craig Smith will visit campus on Dec. 4;
• Discussed the Bridge Initiative to improve career flexibility and the University's family-friendly environment. Pamela Vaughn, Director of the Center for Teaching and Faculty Development, said potential funding for the initiative could come from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. As the first step in applying to Sloan, CTFD is asking all faculty to fill out a survey online at www.sfsu.edu/~ctfd
• Elected Andrea Boyle, associate professor of nursing, to the Enrollment Management Committee;
• Passed a resolution regarding the Collegiate Learning Assessment;
• Approved changes to the minor, bachelor's and master's in Chinese;
• Discussed a proposal from the Faculty Affairs Committee to endorse the American Association of University Professors Statement on Professional Ethics.

For more information, visit the Academic Senate Web site at www.sfsu.edu/~senate

Assistant Professor of Biology Felipe-Andres Ramirez-Weber lost his battle with leukemia on Nov. 1.

Read more about his life and work at In Memoriam.
www.sfsu.edu/~news/cmemo/fall07/nov12memoriam.htm

This week's Insiders include Nina Roberts, assistant professor of recreation and leisure studies, who received an honor for her contributions to experiential education; Associate Dean of Creative Arts Ron Caltalbiano, who released a composition for solo marimba; Professor of Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts Betsy Blosser, who wrote about her experiences in South America for a new book on service learning; and Professor of Music Richard Festinger, who had several works performed in the U.S. and internationally earlier this year.

Read Insiders:
www.sfsu.edu/~news/cmemo/fall07/nov12insiders.htm

This week in Newsmakers: Professor of Cinema Jan Millsapps discusses Laika, the Soviet pooch that was the first living creature to orbit the earth; Nancy Hayes, dean of the College of Business, and Murray Silverman, professor of management, provide some of the reasons behind the 25 percent increase in M.B.A. students at SF State; Professor of Africana Studies Wade Nobles talks about the benefits of a child-centered family structure; Assistant Professor of Biology Jonathon Stillman talks about how even slight increases in temperature can damage the marine ecosystem; Terry Jones, a lecturer in secondary education, imparts the value of putting student teachers into school classrooms as early as possible; and Professor Emeritus Richard DeLeon predicts Gavin Newsom's next political move.

Read Newsmakers: www.sfsu.edu/~news/cmemo/fall07/nov12news.htm

Tuesday
Critical social thought readings
SF State's experts on critical and social thought will read excerpts from their recent or forthcoming books from 4 to 6 p.m. in EP 116. The event features post-reading discussions and refreshments. Readers include Anatole Anton, professor of philosophy; Sandra Luft, professor of humanities; James Martel, assistant professor of political science; Roberto Rivera, professor of raza studies; and Joel Schechter, professor of theatre arts.

Gospel Choir performance
As part of the School of Music and Dance's "Fall Into Jazz" program, the University Gospel Choir will perform from 7:30 to 9 p.m. in Knuth Hall in the Creative Arts building. For more information call ext. 8-1431 or visit http://musicdance.sfsu.edu

Blockbuster culture and Chinese cinema
In celebration of International Education Week, the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures will present "Hero: The Real Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon and Blockbuster Culture in Chinese Cinema," with guest speaker Jenny Lau, associate professor of cinema from 3 to 4 p.m. in HUM 473.

Foreign language learning and teaching
Assistant Professor of Foreign Languages and Literatures H. Lin Domizio presents "Mother Tongue Maintenance, Foreign Language Education and U.S. Government’s National Security Initiatives: A Chinese Case" from 4:10 to 5:30 p.m. in HUM 473. The event is part of International Education Week.

Poetry Center event
Matthew Clark Davison and Dustin Heron will read their fiction at the Poetry Center at 7 p.m. in HUM 512. The event is free.

Wednesday
Jazz Chorus and Afro-Cuban Ensemble in concert
As part of the School of Music and Dance's "Fall Into Jazz" program, the University Jazz Chorus will perform a lunch-time concert along with students, faculty and guest recitals from 1:10 to 2 p.m. in Knuth Hall in the Creative Arts building. At 7:30 p.m. the Afro-Cuban Ensemble and Creative World Ensemble will perform, also in Knuth Hall. For more information call ext. 8-1431 or visit http://musicdance.sfsu.edu

China Rising and the World
Dean of Behavioral and Social Sciences Joel Kassiola and Assistant Professor of International Relations Kathleen McAfee will lead the seminar "The Chinese Environment and Sustainable Development." The lecture is part of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences' free public lecture series, "China Rising and the World," held each Wednesday evening from 7:15 to 8:55 p.m. in HSS 154 through Dec. 5. Lectures explore the impact of China's rising status in the global economy. For more information, including a complete list of lectures, visit http://bss.sfsu.edu or call ext. 5-2402.

Tea ceremony
The Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures holds a traditional Japanese tea ceremony (Cha-no-yu). Guests will enjoy Japanese sweets and matcha green tea prepared according to 400-year-old procedures. Admission is $5 (cash) at the door. For reservations and information, contact Professor of Japanese Midori McKeon at ext. 8-1346 or mmckeon@sfsu.edu

Thursday
Big band and jazz combo concert
The University's big band and jazz combo will perform from 7:30 to 9 p.m. in Knuth Hall in the Creative Arts building. The performance is part of the School of Music and Dance's "Fall Into Jazz" program. For more information call ext. 8-1431 or visit http://musicdance.sfsu.edu

Women studies lecture
Shannon Steen, assistant professor of theatre, dance and performance studies at University of California, Berkeley presents "Racial Geometries: Black Asian Internationalism" from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in HUM 115. Steen's talk is part of a weekly series of women studies lectures held each Thursday through Dec. 13. For the complete schedule, visit www.sfsu.edu/~woms or contact Assistant Professor of Women Studies Kasturi Ray at ext. 8-3128 or kasturiray@yahoo.com

The Poetics of the Library
This public lecture and presentation for curators, archivists, librarians, scholars and students features Sara Wingate Gray, the Itinerant Poetry Librarian and the Poetry Center's 2007 Visiting Research Scholar. Gray travels the world with a library of lost and forgotten poetry and records the sounds and poetry of the people, cities, and countries she meets. Her lecture and presentation begin at 7 p.m. in HUM 512. For more information visit www.sfsu.edu/~poetry

"Troy: The Gates of Hell"
This debut adaptation of Homer's classic myth combines the past and present day. The victims of the battle of Troy -- caught in limbo and awaiting their final destination after death -- are the Chorus. The show begins at 8 p.m. and runs through Dec. 2 in the Little Theatre, Creative Arts building. Thursday's show is a preview. Additional performances this week are Friday, Nov. 15 (opening night) and Saturday, Nov. 16, both at 8 p.m. For tickets, call ext. 8-2467 or visit www.ticketweb.com. For more information, visit http://creativearts.sfsu.edu or call ext. 8-1431.

"Tartuffe" closing weekend
Based on celebrated French playwright Moliére’s comedy of the same name, Kirke Mechem’s comic opera involves students and faculty from the Theatre Arts Department and the School of Music and Dance. Set in 17th century Parisian high society, "Tartuffe" tells the story of a religious hypocrite and bad houseguest. Performances are Thursday, Nov. 15 – Sunday, Nov. 18 at 8 p.m. in the Studio Theatre, Creative Arts building. For tickets, call ext. 8-2467 or visit www.ticketweb.com. For more information, visit http://creativearts.sfsu.edu or call ext. 8-1431.

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Last modified Nov. 12, 2007 by University Communications.