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SFSU Public Affairs Press Release

Published by the Public Affairs Office at San Francisco State University, Lakeview Center.

#100
Contact: Matt Itelson
(415) 338-1665 e-mail: pubcom@sfsu.edu

'Frasier' producer, Oakland schools superintendent selected to
SFSU Alumni Hall of Fame


SAN FRANCISCO, June 4, 2001 - Peter Casey, an Emmy-winning television writer and producer who resides in Toluca Lake, and Oakland native Dennis Chaconas, superintendent of the Oakland Unified School District, have been inducted into the San Francisco State University Alumni Hall of Fame.

Casey and Chaconas, along with jazz artist and Alumna of the Year Wesla Whitfield, were honored Friday, May 25, at a campus reception. The SFSU Alumni Association selects the Hall of Fame inductees and annual Alumnus of the Year award.

Casey, a co-creator and executive producer of the NBC hit sitcom "Frasier," received a bachelor's degree in radio and television from SFSU in 1975. He was hired as a writer on "The Jeffersons" in 1979 and was later promoted to producer. He was also a writer and producer for "Cheers" for three and a half years and helped create the hit sitcom "Wings." A native San Franciscan, Casey is a 14-time Emmy nominee and seven-time winner.

Dennis Chaconas was hired as superintendent of schools for the Oakland Unified School District last year. An Oakland resident, Chaconas previously served for seven years as superintendent of schools in Alameda. He graduated from SFSU in 1969 with a bachelor's degree in economics. Chaconas has worked in education for more than 29 years as a teacher and principal and has taught education courses at Mills College, City College, Harvard University and CSU Hayward.

The Hall of Fame recognizes outstanding SFSU alumni who have earned the respect of their peers through professional, cultural and civic achievements. Past inductees include actor Danny Glover, actress Annette Bening, UCLA head football coach Bob Toledo, journalist and author Melba Beals, conductor Kent Nagano and San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown.

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