"Brian is a wonderful, positive thinking and active person," said Lynn Fox, professor of secondary education. "He is on top of things and adds personal touches, such as positive e-mails and notes on the chalkboard in the office. He is helpful to callers, visitors and faculty and is good in a chaotic situation."

Perkins has worked in the Secondary Education Department since 1996 when he was hired as a student assistant. He became a member of the department's staff in July 2001. When the academic support coordinator went on leave last spring, Perkins took on the responsibility of running the department office.

Fox said that the words of Leo Buscaglia aptly describe Brian's work in Secondary Education: "Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around."

A San Bruno resident, Perkins will move to London in September to study at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and earn a bachelor's degree in his chosen profession and passionÑstage management and technical theatre.

Over the years he has taken classes in theatre arts on campus and has worked as a stage manager for the last four years with several different Bay Area theatre companies, including the Pacifica Spindrift Players, the Summer Repertory Theatre in Santa Rosa and the Shady Shakespeare Company.

He has managed productions ranging from the Broadway classic "Little Shop of Horrors" to Shakespeare's "Two Gentlemen of Verona."

"As a stage manager you are there from the start," said Perkins. "You are able to see a production born. You start off with a script and throughout the rehearsal process you see the show being formed from the first rehearsal to when the curtain comes down for the last time."

Perkins also enjoys the collaborative effort it takes to mount a theatre production.

"Every show I do involves a new team," he said. "From each team, I learn so much and make many new friends."

While he is excited to pursue his theatre career, Perkins will miss Secondary Education.

"I most like working with all of the students," he said. "I see a lot of really enthusiastic people who want to become teachers, and I think that is wonderful."

Please join us in congratulating Brian and thank him for making such a difference.

As the STAR of the Month, Perkins will enjoy four free lunches on campus, a free parking pass or equivalent in one month's public transportation costs, and more. He will also be eligible for the STAR of the Year award.

• Meet previous STARs of the Month.

• Nominate a STAR

• Join the STAR selection committee

• STAR information.