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A
Message from President Corrigan
Powerfully
big things often start very small. Consider, for example, that just
55 delegates attended the United States Constitutional Convention, framing
what is arguably one of the most inspiring documents of modern times.
In these pages, you'll read many examples of words, movements and decisions
that started small and grew into something that transformed the lives
of countless others. Of how one author stepped onto campus to offer
a workshop, and word by word a leading center of creative writing took
shape. Of how one dancer turned her focus to at-risk youth, to teach
steps that entertain and empower. Of how one hospital volunteer's promise
to a dying man led to summers of "regular" kid fun for hundreds
of children diagnosed with cancer. Of how one scared young girl can
join eight other African-Americans to make nine -- the Little Rock Nine
-- and claim a place in history.
You'll read how just a few degrees of global warming can put a species
at risk, and just how many painstaking drawings it can require to make
a single minute of dazzling film animation. You'll learn the huge number
of practice hours it takes for a humble state university's debate team
to out-talk the best of the Ivies, and get a sense of the many tough
questions a researcher must pose to make gains in young people's self-esteem,
confidence and successes.
Together, these individual portraits paint a picture of something much
larger. They illustrate the "something special" that happens
on the SF State campus, that inspires people to step up, take action,
and make a difference. It is one of SF State's greatest strengths, and
as stated in our strategic plan, at the heart of our number one goal:
to demonstrate commitment to the core values of equity and social justice.
Call what this University collectively stands for "San Francisco
values," or call our perspective the "San Francisco State
of Mind." We are equally proud of both. On May 26 we encouraged
more than 8,000 graduates to carry these values into their personal
and professional lives.
Consider the many small steps, words, gestures and decisions of which
these men and women are capable -- and the collective impact that they
can have -- and one truly comprehends the value of San Francisco State
University.
Sincerely
yours,
Robert
A. Corrigan
President
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