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Habitat for Humanity founder to receive honorary degree
Millard Fuller, the founder of Habitat for Humanity International, which has fulfilled the dream of owning a home for more than half a million people across the world, will receive the honorary degree doctor of humane letters from SFSU during commencement ceremonies Saturday, May 25, in Cox Stadium.
Since Fuller started the grass roots, volunteer organization in 1976, more than 500,000 people in about 2,000 communities worldwide now have a place to call home. In the Bay Area alone, Habitat for Humanity has built more than 200 homes.
"Millard Fuller is truly an inspiration to us all. His selfless acts of providing a need as basic as shelter has benefited thousands of people. He was so committed to his mission of giving hope and homes to others that he willingly sacrificed his own personal luxuries to help those who were less fortunate," said President Robert A. Corrigan. "Years ago Millard was at the forefront of service to the community, a philosophy we deeply embrace here at the University. He continues to exemplify the admirable qualities of a humanitarian who continually gives to those around him."
Each campus in the CSU system nominates honorary degree recipients. The degrees are bestowed by the CSU and the individual campus during commencement each spring.
Fuller achieved the pinnacle of success at age 29 when the law school graduate became a millionaire after opening a mail-order business. While material possessions were in abundance, his marriage, integrity and spirituality were faltering. In 1965 Fuller and his wife, Linda, moved to a farming community in Georgia where they agreed to reestablish their lives based on Christian values. Fuller developed the concept of "partnership housing."
The philosophy of Habitat for Humanity is simple: Through volunteer labor and donations of materials and money, houses are built with the help of the soon-to-be homeowner families. Each family receiving a house must put in 300 to 500 hours of work as "sweat equity." The houses are sold to the families at no profit, financed with affordable, no-interest loans. The homeowners' mortgage payments are then used to build more Habitat homes.
The organization gained national prominence in 1984 when former President Jimmy Carter, an avid carpenter, offered his talents and time and helped champion the cause.
Jerry Platt named dean of College of Business
Jerry Platt, interim dean of the College of Business for nearly a year and a member of the faculty for more than 25 years, has been selected permanent dean of the College of Business effective immediately by President Robert A. Corrigan, following a nation wide search. Platt replaces former dean Ray Maghroori who left last June to return to Southern California.
"We are immensely fortunate to have found in Jerry Platt a combination of fresh energy and vision with a seasoned knowledge of the university and the College he will head," said Corrigan. "In his 26 years here, Jerry has held posts of increasing responsibility and scope. In this last year, as interim dean, he has given us a satisfying preview of the kind of leadership he will offer for years to come. With Jerry at the helm, and with a talented and creative faculty behind him, I expect this college to reach new heights."
Platt joined the SFSU faculty in 1976 after working in senior management in the private sector. While at Health Applications Systems of Burlingame from 1974-76, he served as manager of government contract research and later as director of analytical services. In 1973, Platt was one of the founding faculty members of the Graduate School of Public Affairs at the University of Colorado.
Platt earned his MBA in finance from Wayne State University in 1970. He went on to received his master's degree in public administration in 1972 and his doctorate in public administration in 1974, both from Ohio State University. He also earned his post-doctorate master's degree in statistics from Stanford University in 1982.
While at SFSU, Platt has been chair of the department of finance and associate dean of the College of Business before becoming interim dean of the College of Business.
Platt said of his appointment: "My intention is to help this College rebuild itself from the inside out, in response to changing market conditions and opportunities. We will be addressing issues of shared governance within the College, working toward partnership arrangements with several Colleges across campus, and tailoring external degree programs for off-campus delivery to students throughout the Bay Area--and perhaps throughout the world. We also will be developing seminars and advanced training programs to serve our alumni as our end of a lifelong learning commitment. The business education landscape is changing fast, and we plan to move boldly in expanding our influence".
A noted expert in using computers for statistical modeling in financial data analysis, Platt has published extensively on topics that include empirical studies of developing markets, the design and application of computer-intensive statistical methods, and the construction of price indices. He also has been principal investigator on nearly 25 federal research contracts, and is a recognized economic expert in litigation proceedings.
Platt's wife of more than 30 years, Cathleen, is a professor of information systems and business analysis in the College of Business. A member of the faculty since 1980, she and her husband have often teamed to conduct joint research involving statistical modeling.
The Platts, who live in Portola Valley, have two sons Jason and Kevin. Two years ago Jason became the first hockey player in Northern California in 20 years to be drafted by the National Hockey League. Jason, who now attends Providence College, was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers, which retain draft rights while Jason attends college. Thirteen-year-old Kevin also is an aspiring hockey player.
Announcements
Martinez to leave journalism center
Eva Martinez is moving on after 12 years as director of the Center for Integration and Improvement of Journalism (CIIJ) to become executive director of Accion Latina, a nonprofit organization in the Mission District that publishes the bilingual newspaper El Tecolote.
The Journalism Department is throwing a farewell party for Martinez from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Friday in HUM 308. The event also celebrates the "10+2" anniversary of the Center. Keynote speakers are Pamela Newkirk, author of "Within the Veil: Black Journalists, White Media," and Betty Medsger, CIIJ founder and emerita professor of journalism.
RSVP by 5 p.m. today to ciij_rsvp@yahoo.com.
Ballots for University-wide elections must be returned by Friday to the Academic Senate Office, ADM 551. Voters should note that there are two positions to be filled on item H, the vote for members to the University Promotion Committee. Also note that approval voting still applies. You may vote for more than one candidate for each open position.
The new Academic Senate will be seated at the last meeting of the semester, Tuesday, May 14. All new and returning senators must be in attendance so they can meet with their new standing committees and elect committee chairs.
Athletics is offering a series of summer volleyball camps for middle and high school at the end of July and beginning of August. The camps range in price from $75 to $120.
The camps vary in skill level required for participation. All camps will be held in the gymnasium.
For details and a registration form, contact Heather Sisneros at ext. 8-2707.
Monday
Members of the campus community will share their singing and songwriting talents from noon to 2 p.m. on Malcolm X Plaza of the Cesar Chavez Student Center. The event, sponsored by the S.A.F.E. Place, is in celebration of Rape Awareness Month.
For details, call ext. 8-2819.
Tuesday
The Academic Senate will meet from 2 to 4 p.m. Tuesday in the Nob Hill Room of the Seven Hills Conference Center.
Agenda items include: a report from Jerry Duke, chair of the Academic Program Review Committee; a proposed joint doctorate in urban educational leadership; a proposed new graduate certificate of clinical competence in physical therapy; a proposed revision to the bachelor of arts in chemistry; a proposed revision to the bachelor of science in biochemistry; a proposed first-year retention report and recommendation form for tenure-track teaching and library faculty; and a proposed academic calendar for 2003-04.
The College of Humanities invites the campus community to a reception and opening of a photography exhibit by Edward Kaufmann from 3 to 5 p.m. Tuesday in HUM 485. Refreshments will be served.
Kaufmann, an emeritus professor of humanities, died March 9.
The exhibit will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday through May 24. For details, contact Nancy McDermid at ext. 8-7395.
Fairness of work/life policies
Kathleen Mosier, Psychology, will speak on "Fairness Perceptions of Organizational Work/Life Policies" at 4 p.m. Tuesday in HSS 361.
The event is part of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences' Faculty Lecture Series.
Thursday
The Spring 2002 Foreign Language Colloquium Series presents "Culture-Specific Language Styles: The Development of Oral Narrative and Literacy," a lecture by Masahiko Minami, Japanese, from 4 to 5 p.m. Thursday in HUM 471.
The event is sponsored by the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures. For details, contact Midori McKeon at ext. 8-7413 or mmckeon@sfsu.edu.
The Technical and Professional Writing Program will hold its annual career workshop, "Opportunities for Workplace Writers," from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in HUM 408.
The workshop will begin with a panel of speakers from the field, followed by a Q&A session. Light refreshments will be served. The event is free and open to the public.
For details, call ext. 8-7025 or e-mail tpw@sfsu.edu.
The Poetry Center and American Poetry Archives present an evening of contemporary Turkish poetry from poet and translator Murat Nemet-Nejat at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Unitarian Center, 1187 Franklin St., San Francisco.
Nemat-Nejat has been engaged for many years in bringing modern Turkish poetry to English language readers. A poet in his own right, he is the author of the long narrative poem "The Bridge."
A $7 donation is requested.
Friday
The Dance Department presents its end of the year recital "No Boundaries/New Dances" at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday in McKenna Theatre in the Creative Arts Building. Tickets are $12 for general admission and $8 for students and seniors. To reserve tickets, call ext. 8-2467. Tickets also go on sale one hour before each show.
The program includes a performance of "Concerto in D" by Igor Stravinsky, choreographed by Cathleen McCarthy.
Saturday
The Composition and Reading Association for Future Teachers will hold its third annual Composition and Reading Conference from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at the Seven Hills Conference Center. The conference is open to all faculty, staff, students and others interested in issues surrounding reading and writing in the high school or college classroom.
The cost is $30 at the door.For details, call ext. 8-2327 or e-mail craftorg@sfsu.edu.
Coming Up
Marjorie Perloff will present "Writing Poetry, Writing About Poetry: Some Problems of Affiliation" at 6:30 p.m. Monday, May 6, in HUM 381. Perloff, a Stanford University professor emerita of humanities, is an expert on modern poetry and poetics and of the relationship of poetry to theory.
The event is sponsored by the Department of Comparative and World Literature.
The University Club Board will meet at 8 a.m. Wednesday, May 8, in the University Club. All U. Club members are invited.
Those great Irish short stories
Stephen Arkin, English, will present "Why Do the Irish Write Such Great Short Stories" at the annual meeting of the Friends of the J. Paul Leonard Library from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 8, in the de Bellis Collection room of the Library. A reception follows.
The Friends of the Library will meet at 3 p.m. to elect officers and board members.
To send events: call EXT 8-1665 or send e-mail to pubnews@sfsu.edu
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Last modified April 29, 2002, by the Office of Public Affairs