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Release published by the Office of Public Affairs & Publications
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8,000
grads include All-American in speech/debate, rap artist, filmmaker
with cerebral palsy
SAN
FRANCISCO, May 19, 2006 -- San Francisco State University will
confer a record number of bachelor's and master's degrees
at its 105th Commencement at 12:15 p.m. Saturday, May 27. The 7,997
graduates -- the largest class in the University's history -- include
representatives of 119 countries. Below you will find selected stories
of outstanding graduates, including this year's hood recipients,
who are top graduates chosen to represent their fellow students from
each of SF State's academic colleges, Liberal Studies Program
and Division of Graduate Studies. For assistance in contacting any
of these students, call the SF State Office of Public Affairs and
Publications at
(415) 338-1665. The sampling below includes:
- A
self-confessed 'nerdy girl' pursuing
a career in biochemistry
- Two artists
with cerebral palsy: a fledgling filmmaker and a future television
writer/ producer and Web designer
- A future
pediatrician who helped her mother foster infants born with drug and
alcohol dependencies
- An ethnic
studies major who plans a career pursuing social justice
Donis Georgiou, making films that break down stereotypes of the disabled
Throughout Donis Georgiou's life, he has been told that his cerebral
palsy will prevent him from realizing his dreams of graduating from college
and becoming a filmmaker. He has already proved them wrong. Graduating
with a bachelor's degree in cinema, the Cyprus native and San Leandro
resident is editing his autobiographical documentary "The Hidden
Gift," an earlier version of which screened at the 2003 Film Arts
Festival of Independent Cinema. Georgiou, 29, travels around the campus
in a motorized wheelchair, which will soon have his digital camera attached.
He said that students and faculty are supportive of his work and help
him, but he is the one in charge. "I do my own work," he
said. "I'm not asking for a second hand." Georgiou
would like to continue to make films that break down stereotypes of the
disabled, as well as write screenplays and direct music videos. "The
Hidden Gift" will screen at 3:15 p.m. June 12 at the August Coppola
Theatre in the Fine Arts building on the SF State campus.
Edana Contreras, a positive role model for disabilities on television
Edana Contreras, who completed her bachelor's degree in radio and
television in January, has conducted research on portrayals of disability
on television, a subject previously not explored in depth. She is an
ideal researcher for the topic, as she has cerebral palsy and
dyslexia. "Only now you are starting to get complex characters
who have disabilities," Contreras said, citing the Fox drama "House," in
which the title character walks with a cane, as a positive example. Her
interest in television and the Internet has led her to pursue a career
that combines both media, most likely as a writer, producer and Web designer. "I
absolutely love writing and telling stories," she said. Contreras,
a 26-year-old Mission District resident and San Francisco native, plans
to continue her research in the future as an SF State graduate student
in radio and television.
Kevin Briancesco, an All-American in speech and debate
Briancesco received a bachelor of arts (magna cum laude) in speech and
communication studies. A native of the San Francisco Mission District,
he was raised by his single working mother and grandmother. This All-American
in speech and debate often uses the difficulties his mother faced and
feminist issues as material for speech competitions. "I want
the world to be a better place for my mom," he said. When he's
not competing in debate and speech tournaments, Briancesco volunteers
and works at several after-school programs. "I like working with
kids," he said. "Kids' voices need to be heard, too." The
first in his family to graduate college, Briancesco has won a full
scholarship to Arizona State University to continue his study in communications
and eventually teach it in college.
HOOD
RECIPIENTS: One outstanding student from each academic college,
the Liberal Studies program and Division of Graduate Studies will receive
the symbolic investiture of the hood on behalf of their fellow students.
The hood recipients are as follows.
Valerie Francisco (Behavioral and Social Sciences), activism, scholarship
and hip-hop
When Valerie Francisco began rapping years ago, she gave herself the
stage name Hood Scholar. Now Francisco is the hood recipient for the
College of Behavioral and Social Sciences and a fledgling scholar in
sociology and Asian American studies. Francisco, a native of Parañaque,
Philippines, moved to the United States at age 9. She spent most of her
adolescent years in Concord, in the Latino barrio of Monument. Her life
experiences have shaped her academic interests. "When you're
growing up in poverty, not having anything, and everybody around you
doesn't have adequate housing, I really saw -- as a sociologist -- the
inequalities," Francisco said. She is a founder and the mass campaign
officer of babae, a San Francisco nonprofit that address the rights and
welfare of Filipina Americans. This fall she enters the doctoral program
in sociology at City University of New York. She plans to become a university
professor and remain active in the Bay Area's Filipino community.
Francisco, now known as Sho Shock, performs hip-hop music with Rhapsodistas,
a collective comprised of four young Filipinas. "My art is a way
to talk to people who wouldn't come to see me give a lecture," she
said. "My people, my community and my family are most important
to me. They are my bedrock."
Kristin Farr (Creative Arts), creating and teaching art
Kristin Farr was too intimidated to pursue art professionally until she
enrolled at SF State. Farr, a 1996 graduate of Redwood High School
in Larkspur, considered majoring in education or theatre arts, but
instantly fell in love with the SF State Art Department. Students and
faculty allayed her fears. "My professors encouraged me to be
open and take risks in art making and to not be afraid," said
Farr, who now lives in Pacifica. "They offered support and shared
ideas." Farr, who graduates cum laude, chose a dual emphasis
in sculpture and textiles. She has exhibited her work at restaurants
and cafes, as well as in a student show that spent one night at the
de Young Museum this spring and raised $15,000 for St. Vincent de Paul
Society of San Francisco. Farr teaches art at an after-school program
at El Dorado Elementary School in San Francisco. She works full time
as outreach coordinator for "SPARK," a program on KQED-Channel
9. There, she brings artists featured on the program to speak at Bay
Area high schools and colleges. Farr plans to attend graduate school,
continue to make and exhibit art, and eventually become an art professor.
Marie Dorcas Brown (Education), Second generation teaching special education
With her graduation, Brown is now a second-generation special education
teacher; her mother earned bachelor's and master's degrees
in special education in orientation mobility at SF State. While still
a teenager, Brown, who was home-schooled, decided to take a special
education course at Solano Community College. She showed an aptitude
for learning American Sign Language as well as for tutoring those with
learning disabilities. In addition to compiling an excellent academic
record at State, Brown worked as a speech therapy aide in the Child
Development Center at California Pacific Medical Center. She was also
a teacher's aide in the South San Francisco Unified School District,
working one-on-one with children who have learning disabilities. And,
she volunteered her time one day a week in the special education classroom
at Francis Scott Key Elementary School, helping students with language,
reading and social skills. Marie will begin master's studies
this fall in speech-language pathology in the College of Education.
She hopes to find work with a school district when she finishes the
program and eventually open her own speech pathology practice.
Sonia Elena Mays (Ethnic Studies), inspired by her American Indian heritage
Mays receives a bachelor of arts (summa cum laude) in Raza studies and
minor in American Indian studies. The San Francisco native of Bolivian,
European and American Indian heritage attended SF State as a Presidential
Scholar on a full scholarship. Mays originally planned to major in
psychology and become a teacher, but her first class in American Indian
studies altered that pursuit. "I found I could apply what I had
already been exposed to at home to an academic setting that critically
analyzes history," she said. She plans to continue her education
in public policy.
Anna Abeyta (Humanities), studying world religion
Moving to San Francisco from Oklahoma has opened Abeyta to the religions
of the world. The summa cum laude graduate in philosophy has become
fascinated by religion and wants to continue learning about religions
for the rest of her life. "I am drawn to the universality of
religion as a human experience, the need to ask why and seek a purpose," said
Abeyta, a 1999 graduate of Mustang, Okla., High School. Abeyta has
found her purpose. She plans to learn Japanese, pursue a doctorate
in religious studies and eventually become a professor in the subject,
preferably at a public university like SF State. "She embodies
everything that a young seeker of truth should be," philosophy
Professor Jacob Needleman said. "(She possesses an) excellent
academic mind combined with a deep, serious, heartfelt interest in
wisdom and truth." Abeyta, a resident of the TenderNob neighborhood
in San Francisco, is of Irish and Native American (Cherokee) descent.
She is also interested in studying Native American religions and the
Cherokee language.
Marlisa
Pillsbury (Science and Engineering), a 'nerdy girl' who
loves science
Pillsbury receives a bachelor of arts (summa cum laude) in biochemistry.
She is the first in her family to graduate high school and college. While
other children watched "Ninja Turtles" on Saturday mornings,
she preferred "Bill Nye the Science Guy." The self-confessed "nerdy
girl" will move on to the Ph.D. program in biochemistry at University
of California, San Francisco, this fall. She plans a career in medical
research and also plans to encourage more women and minorities to pursue
careers in science. "If you keep your head down and really concentrate,
you just won't have time to be intimidated," the Emeryville
resident said.
TaiJuana
Sylvester (Graduate Studies), dedicated to children's
health
Sylvester receives a master of science in biology. She lost her mother
while pursuing her undergraduate degree at SF State. Though devastated,
she discovered in herself the strength and determination she always admired
in her mother, and persevered. Sylvester's professional plans are
a tribute to her mother, who fostered infants born with drug and alcohol
dependencies. She plans to become a pediatrician and a researcher in
infectious diseases. The Fairfield resident will enter medical school
at either Boston University or Stanford University this fall.
Michelle Reardon (Liberal Studies), a former model and future teacher
Reardon is proud to be graduating from college at age 51. After a brief
modeling career in New York, Reardon's life took several twists
and turns. Five years ago she decided to go back to school. She was
a single mother working as an executive administrative assistant in
San Francisco and felt it was time to make a change. To her surprise,
she found that she both enjoyed and was very good at academic work.
As a liberal studies major, Michelle has a head start on earning a
teaching credential. She plans to finish her credential up at SF State
and hopes to teach second grade in San Francisco, perhaps even at Claire
Lilienthal, the school her daughter attended.
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NOTE
TO EDITORS: Reporters who cover Commencement must contact the
SF State Office Public Affairs and Publications for media credentials.
Please call (415) 338-1665 prior to Commencement. A transcript of
Commencement will be posted online shortly after the conclusion of
the ceremony on May 27 at: www.sfsu.edu/~news. Photos are available
upon request.
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