Volume 58, Number 3    August 30, 2010         

Robert J. Nava named vice president for University Advancement
Robert J. Nava has been appointed by President Robert A. Corrigan as the new vice president for University Advancement. Nava, formerly the associate vice president for Institutional Advancement at the University of Texas, El Paso (UTEP), will be responsible for advancing the University's external image and maintaining relationships with key University constituencies. Units reporting to him will include University Development, University Communications, Alumni Relations, Special Events and Government Relations. Nava will report directly to President Corrigan, serve on the president's cabinet and work as president of the University Foundation.

"Robert Nava brings a broad portfolio of success in higher education to SF State," President Corrigan said. "Not only does Mr. Nava boast a record of high achievement, but his 24-year career in higher education reflects his commitment to social justice and equity -- values that are central to SF State."

In his five years at UTEP, Nava led the development and alumni units and directed the University's Centennial Campaign, which raised almost half of its $200 million goal before its public launch. "I was attracted to the mission of San Francisco State," said Nava. "The University's national reputation and commitment to social justice, access for residents of the region and its excellence brought me to this campus."

Nava has an intimate knowledge of higher education in California, having worked for 19 years at the University of California, Riverside, most recently as interim vice chancellor for University Advancement and president of the UC Riverside Foundation. He also served as the University's lobbyist in Sacramento and Washington D.C. During much of his UC Riverside career, Nava also taught as an adjunct faculty member in CSU Fullerton's Chicano Studies program.

Nava holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from UTEP, a law degree from Western State University College of Law and was a member of the Harvard Graduate School of Education's Institute for Management and Leadership in Education. He is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE), a credential attained by demonstrating success in fundraising and supporting professional standards in philanthropy.

He takes over for Lee Blitch, who will retire after serving five years as vice president for University Advancement.

Three faculty members honored at opening faculty meeting
At SF State's opening faculty meeting on Aug. 23, three faculty members received Distinguished Faculty Awards in recognition of their outstanding contributions in research, service and teaching. The awards were presented by Provost Sue Rosser.

The Distinguished Faculty Award for Excellence in Service was awarded to Gail Weinstein, professor of English, for her creative integration of classroom learning with community service, which has improved the lives of immigrant communities and provided students with valuable teaching experience.

The award for Excellence in Professional Achievement was awarded to Professor of Biology Edward Connor, whose contributions to science have been recognized by his election as a Fellow of both the California Academy of Sciences and the Royal Entomological Society.

Professor of Health Education John Elia received the Sarlo Excellence in Teaching Award. Elia consistently receives exceptional teaching evaluations from students and has received 12 letters of commendation for "Excellent Teaching" from the Academic Advising Center during his more than 20 years at the University.

For more information, visit www.sfsu.edu/~news/2010/fall/1.html

Jules Tygiel Memorial Forum on Post-9/11 World Affairs
The History department will present the Ninth Annual Jules Tygiel Memorial Forum on Post-9/11 World Affairs on Sept. 13. Professor of History Robert Cherny will present opening remarks before turning the forum over to a panel of faculty experts:

• JoAnn Aviel (International Relations: will focus on the U.S. and Latin America)
• Sanjoy Banerjee (International Relations: will discuss US relations with Pakistan and Afghanistan)
• Maziar Behrooz (Hisotry: will focus on the US and the Middle East)
• Tony D'Agostino (History: will focus on U.S. relations with Europe, including the EU nations and Russia)
• Sujian Guo (Political Science: will focus on US relations with China)

The forum will conclude with a question and answer session and reception. The event is sponsored by the faculty for Middle East and Islamic Studies (MEIS) and the Department of Jewish Studies.

Academic Senate
Academic Senate Standing Committees meet Aug. 31.

The first Senate Meeting for Fall 2010 is Sept. 7 at 2 p.m., Seven Hills Conference Center, Nob Hill Room.

Senate meeting dates are posted on the University web calendar and on the Senate website at www.sfsu.edu/~senate

This week in Insiders: Professor of Art Barbara Foster, Associate Professor of Cinema Joseph McBride, Assistant Professor of Cinema Weimin Zhang, Assistant to the Director of Creative Arts Technical Services Diana Rumjahn, Assistant Professor of Dance Yutian Wong and Professor of Theatre Arts Rhonnie Washington.

Read Insiders: www.sfsu.edu/~news/cmemo/fall10/aug30insiders.htm

This week in Newsmakers: Associate Professor of Hospitality Management Colin Johnson, Professor of Communication Studies Joseph Tuman and Professor of Management John Sullivan.

Read Newsmakers: www.sfsu.edu/~news/cmemo/fall10/aug30news.htm

SF State received $6,193,550 in grants and contracts in June and July.

Read Grants & Contracts : www.sfsu.edu/~news/cmemo/fall10/aug30grants.htm

Submitting events to CampusMemo
CampusMemo now picks up events listings directly from the University Calendar, to streamline the events publicity function for campus units. Departments interested in publicizing an event in CampusMemo simply need to register the event on the University Calendar by 10 a.m. on Wednesday of the previous week. To submit an event, go to http://www.sfsu.edu/calendar/ and click on "Submit an Event" in the left-hand navigation bar. This new procedure saves event sponsors the extra step of entering information specifically for CampusMemo, and the later deadline for submittal allows more time for event sponsors to submit their items to CampusMemo.

Click on the link for each event to view full listing in the University Calendar.

Tuesday
Aug. 31: Workshop: iLearn Start Up Kit: 10 a.m.

Wednesday
iLearn Assignments: Provide students feedback on work: 10 a.m.

iLearn Forum: Create and Facilitate Online Class Discussions: 11 a.m.

Thursday
Open House: Osher Lifelong Learning Institute: 3:30 p.m.

iLearn Forum: Create and Facilitate Online Class Discussions: 1 p.m.

iLearn Assignments: Provide students feedback on work: 2 p.m.

Friday
Academic Technology Open Lab: 10 a.m.

Coming Up
Sept. 6: Labor Day Observed: No Classes; Offices Closed

Sept. 7: Academic Senate Meeting: 2 p.m.

Sept. 8: Open House: Osher Lifelong Learning Institute: 3 p.m.

Sept 11: Miniconference: "Creativity: The Arts and Your Gray Matter": 1 p.m.

Sept. 12: Recital: Faculty tribute to Carlo Bussotti: 3 p.m.

Sept. 13: Single Subject Credential Program Information Meeting: 2 p.m.

Sept. 16: San Francisco Rights Conference: 8:30 a.m.

Sept 16: Park(ing) Day: 8 a.m.

Sept. 17: San Francisco Rights Conference: 9 a.m.

For more upcoming events, see the University Calendar

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Last modified Aug. 30, 2010 by University Communications.