| 
|
| |
| |||
| 
| ||
|
CONTACT:
| CAL STATE L.A.'S CLASS OF 2000 Los Angeles, CA - June 1, 2000 - The 53rd Commencement exercises at California State University, Los Angeles will take place on Saturday, June 10, 2000, in the University Athletic Stadium, located at the southeast corner of the campus. The academic procession will start at 8:15 a.m. and the formal exercises are scheduled to end at approximately 10 a.m. Commencement speaker will be The J. Paul Getty Trust President and CEO Barry Munitz, who served as CSU chancellor from 1991 to 1998. Department and program receptions in various campus locations will follow the ceremony. More than 20,000 people are expected at this year's graduation to witness the conferral of more than 1,082 master's degrees and 3,357 bachelor's degrees. Among the students receiving degrees are: 4.0 student Glenda Giron, outstanding volunteer for children's rights and the environment; Jason Timmons, recipient of the 1999 Multicultural Motion Picture Association Educational and Development Scholarship; Cristal Gama, recipient of Caltech graduate fellowship in biochemistry; Brett Nagatani, this year's Phi Kappa Phi top honors student; and 18-year-old biology major Zhong Tan, the youngest undergraduate in the Class of 2000. Another 18-year old, Cal State L.A. alumnus Mark Gordon, will be the University's youngest graduate degree recipient. Seventy-two-year-old Liberal Studies major Xuan Guo is Cal State L.A.'s "senior" undergraduate, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Barry Munitz, president/CEO, The J. Paul Getty Trust Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Dr. Munitz received a bachelor's degree in classics and comparative literature from Brooklyn College, and earned a master's degree and Ph.D. from Princeton University. He began his academic career in 1966 at UC Berkeley, where he taught drama and literature for three years. From 1968 to 1970 he served under former University of California president Clark Kerr at the Carnegie Foundation Commission on Higher Education. In 1970, Dr. Munitz accepted a position at the University of Illinois, where he served for six years, first as associate provost and later as academic vice president for the University of Illinois system. He became vice president and dean of faculties at the University of Houston-Central Campus in 1976 and was named chancellor of that university in 1977. Dr. Munitz entered the business sector in 1982, when he became a senior executive at MAXXAM, Inc. in Houston. He remained at the company until he joined the California State University system in 1991. In addition to his professional affiliations, Dr. Munitz has been a national leader in promoting educational excellence at all levels. Since 1992 he has served on numerous public and private boards. He was chair of the American Council on Education, the leading higher education group in America, and chair of the California Education Round Table. He also served on the Commission on National Investment in Higher Education, the White House Commission "America Reads." He has served on the board of directors of SunAmerica, and is a director of SallieMae and Kaufman & Broad. Currently, Dr. Munitz is on leave from his CSU Trustee Professorship as a tenured faculty member in the Cal State L.A.'s Department of English.
Top Child Development undergraduate and outstanding volunteer Glenda L. Giron A teacher's aide at Wright Elementary School in El Monte since 1994, Glenda's career goal is to eventually become a full-time elementary school teacher. Her desire to teach began early-she studied at the Instituto Nacional para Senoritas de Oriente, a high school in Chiquimula, Guatemala, which prepares future educators. Glenda's joy in working with children can also be demonstrated in her volunteer work in Guatemala. In 1997, she took a break from college in order to volunteer as a facilitator for Guatemala's human rights educational program and, then in 1998, at an environmental awareness program. Advocating human rights and promoting environmental awareness, both programs were tailored specifically for children. Her journal, "La Boda de la Vida," was included in the 1998 program booklet. An El Monte resident, Glenda is also an active volunteer in her local community. She is an active member of the CSEA (California School Employees Association), participating in the committee for student scholarships and committee for employee of the year. Additionally, she has volunteered as a storyteller at the 2000 Annual Fiesta of Book in El Monte. Glenda attributes her knowledge and skills in teaching to Cal State L.A.'s professors Kaveri Subrahmanyan, Rico Gnaulati, and Jennifer Ferris. Glenda also notes, "Although she is not my direct adviser, Sally Farnham has helped me register for the classes I needed to earn my degree." Professor Ferris says, "...it hasn't been an easy road for Glenda. She didn't speak any English when she moved here from Guatemala in 1992. She took night classes to learn English at the same time she was working with her mother sewing clothes, and then got her high school diploma in less than six months.... Glenda has achieved extraordinary academic distinction." After graduation, Glenda plans to continue her studies at Cal State L.A., pursuing a multiple-subject teaching credential and a master's degree in Educational Foundations and Interdivisional Studies.
Up and coming filmmaker Jason Christopher Timmons Jason's favorite directors include James Cameron (Titanic) and John Woo (Face Off). He explains, "In their own ways, both of them make conscious efforts to deliver, with considerable emotional and physical impact, films that haven't been seen before." He places a high value on films that reflect and generate "something fresh and daring...a different way of thinking." A Los Angeles (90016) resident, Jason was awarded a Multicultural Motion Picture Association Educational and Development Scholarship in 1999 for his impressive determination in cinematic arts. He has more than a hundred student music videos and drama productions to his credit, as well as a pair of independent short films, and currently has a script in progress. Jason has been a Dean's List scholar, and has earned membership in the Golden Key honor society. This year, he was selected by the Communication Studies Department to receive a Certificate of Honor, an annual award presented to only two undergraduates and two graduate students in each academic department. Jason's academic and professional achievements are even more impressive in light of his personal challenges. In 1993, he was involved in a near death auto accident. His left leg amputated, Jason had to learn to walk with a prosthesis. His strength and perseverance have helped him become a positive example for other students who may be struggling to reach their educational and career goals. Jason credits his Cal State L.A. mentor, professor Alan Bloom, with encouraging him to pursue his dream-to work in the film and entertainment industry. Under Bloom, and then professor Ivan Cury, Jason has been working as a teaching assistant for nearly four years in Cal State L.A.'s TV News Magazine broadcasting course as well as the Music, Video and Drama Production broadcasting course. With the knowledge and experience gained in his educational career at Cal State L.A., Jason is now proficient in the use of digital non-linear video editing systems, Panavision 35mm Platinum and Gold Camera Packages, Sony Hi-8 commercial video cameras, and Web developing tools. He hopes to study overseas at the International College of Cannes in France in the near future-bringing him one step closer to his "filmmaker's dream, to win an Oscar in directing and cinematography...and for my credit to appear on an Academy Award-winning film."
DNA, Mutant Plants Inspired Biochemistry Major Cristal Gama The DNA experiment in her ninth grade biology class was Cristal's first introduction to laboratory work. She was fascinated with scientific exploration. Now 22, the biochemistry major will graduate from Cal State L.A. in June-and pursue a Ph.D. at Caltech on a full fellowship that covers tuition and a stipend. "I breathed a sigh of relief after I heard I got in. I think I was accepted because of my research experience at Cal State L.A," said Cristal, an East Los Angeles native. Her parents, both the eldest among many siblings, were born in Mexico and never finished elementary school because they had to support their families. While in high school, Cristal attended Saturday lab classes held at Cal State L.A. through the University Preparatory Program (UPP), a pre-college cooperative program with Lincoln High begun in 1989. The many research opportunities for undergraduates, excellent laboratory facilities, and the high level of support from Cal State L.A. faculty and staff influenced her decision to pursue a bachelor's degree at the University, Cristal says. She recalls establishing instant rapport with chemistry professors Ray Garcia and Carlos Gutiérrez, and biology/microbiology professor Margaret Jefferson, all of whom had welcomed her during a tour of campus. Recruited by professor Gutiérrez for the Minority Access to Research Careers honors program, Cristal became a star pupil, maintaining a grade point average well above the required 3.5. She was later selected as one of the first four participants in the prestigious Beckman Scholars program. Since her second quarter, Cristal has been working with chemistry professor Robert Vellanoweth on various research projects that center on growing mutant plants. By injecting an extra copy of the plant's defense enzyme, the researchers hope to understand, and eventually increase, the life span of the plant arabidopsis thaliana. Successful results of this type of research, said Cristal, could be applied to increasing the production of crops such as wheat and rice. The doctoral-bound student is still committed to the program that introduced her to the world of science. She has consistently done volunteer work for UPP, and has even led some chemistry classes, said chemistry assistant professor Vicky Anderson. "Cristal is a shining example and an excellent role model. We're all proud of her," Anderson said.
Phi Kappa Phi honors student Brett Nagatani "Dentistry was there for me all throughout my life, but I didn't choose it because it was my father's profession. I chose it on my own," said Brett. His dentist father and mother, a middle school teacher, are second generation Japanese Americans who raised six children. Brett, their second youngest child, worked at a bank for approximately seven years after graduating from high school. An automobile accident in 1994 left Brett with a broken neck and a new vision for his career. He attributes his decision to return to academia to the medical professionals who impressed him during his hospitalization and treatment. "The doctors and nurses shared three common characteristics: compassion, education and integrity," said Brett, a Dean's List student who exemplifies these attributes himself, according to his professors. His genetics professor, Howard Rosen, ranks him in the top five students that he has ever encountered throughout his nearly 30 years of teaching. About his professors, Brett comments: "I've never met people who share so much dedication to their students. Chemistry professors Raymond Garcia and Donald Paulson, and biology professors Howard Rosen and Wayne Alley are my role models. "I feel this is a first-rate school, with first-rate professors and first-rate students. To go to a school with so many different people with so many different backgrounds in the same quest for an education is truly amazing," added Brett. Proud to be a product of Cal State L.A., Brett (Studio City resident) is looking forward to walking alongside his fiancée, fellow biology major Beatriz Manahan, at the June 10 Commencement ceremony.
Former teacher in China, 72-year-old Xuan Kui Guo is Class of 2000 "senior" undergraduate Guo's long-awaited immigration to America came late in his life, and was bittersweet. In 1993, he left his home city of Dalian in the northern province of Liaoing to reunite with his father, by then a U.S. citizen. Sadly, his father died only a year later. Still later, Guo's son and daughter were able to join him in California. Although Guo had learned English in school ("before the Cultural Revolution," he reminds us), there was no question in his mind that he would take English classes once he was in California. He started with Los Angeles adult education classes, and felt confident after less than a year, to enroll at Los Angeles City College, majoring in Liberal Arts. A bare two years later he began his University studies at Cal State L.A., majoring in Liberal Studies. Guo counts geology and psychology among his favorite courses, although "every class was impressive to me because I learned new things...I'm always happy learning something new." Did he ever feel too old to be in school? Not at all, he responds, "there is a saying in Chinese that no matter what age you are, you always need to learn." Marching in the procession on June 10, Xuan Guo's love of learning will be an inspiration to his daughter, his son and daughter-in-law and their child-his infant grandson-as well as to the many Cal State L.A. students and families who also believe in the value of an education.
Youngest bachelor's degree recipient, Class of 2000: Zhong Y. Tan Zhong, now 18, describes his experience at Cal State L.A. as interesting and challenging. He praised the excellent teaching of chemistry professor Donald Paulson, for whom he worked as a lab assistant, and English professor Geoffrey Middlebrook. He has high praise for the Early Entrance Program, which gave him the opportunity to start college early and to interact with peers-teenagers who share the same academic interests. Even though Zhong will be receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in biology, he'll be pursuing a career in law after graduation. After some personal introspection, and volunteer work at Garfield Medical Center and the Los Angeles County Superior Court, Zhong discovered his attraction to law and his interest in the legal process. Admitted to both Columbia and Duke Law Schools on fellowship, he has recently decided to attend Columbia. He is a National Dean's List student and a Golden Key honor society member. Zhong enjoys playing piano and video games in the midst of studying, going to classes and conducting research in the chemistry lab. "Zhong is a very talented student," says EEP director Richard Maddox. "With his intelligence and personality, I know he'll do exceedingly well in either law or medicine." Youngest Master's degree recipient in the Class of 2000: Mark J. Gordon Mark Gordon graduated from California State University, Los Angeles only last year, after earning his B.A. in a record three years-at the age of 17. On June 10, now that he is 18 years old, he will receive a Master of Arts degree in Anthropology-earned in a single year. The L.A. resident entered Cal State L.A.'s Early Entrance Program in 1996 directly from Horace Mann Elementary School in Beverly Hills. "I haven't skipped a summer quarter since," says Mark, who, after taking the full load of classes for 16 quarters in a row is planning to relax this summer. "I might take a trip across country with my family," he says. Or he might play (drums) with a group he's been connected with for about a year. But Mark's main interest is in pursuing an M.D./Ph.D., and he's currently applying to medical schools. Although the field of anthropology conjures up images of deep, scholarly pursuits, it's the opportunity to practice medicine-and help people-that engages Mark the most. "I chose anthropology as a major because it combines hard science with working with people," says the personable and sociable teen. During his brief but intense four-quarter year as a graduate student, Mark took a course that combined human osteology with forensic anthropology, taught by assistant professor Elizabeth Miller, an expert forensic anthropologist who was recently deputized by the Los Angeles County Department of the Coroner. He then served as her teaching assistant during two subsequent quarters. "I worked at a very brisk pace," says Mark, explaining how he was able to complete the 45 units necessary to earn a master's degree. Some courses were harder than others-"Graduate Theory is a course that kills!" he admits, and his comprehensive exam was no piece of cake. Nevertheless, the University's youngest graduate degree recipient of the year 2000 came through with flying colors. His teachers, Cal State L.A.'s Early Entrance Program and his parents, he says, have prepared him for any challenges, in med school and beyond. Cal State L.A.'s Early Entrance Program (EEP)-the only one of its kind in the nation-has grown steadily since its introduction on campus in 1983. Modeled after the program at the University of Washington, Seattle, the EEP admits extraordinarily gifted youngsters-some as young as 11-directly into college, providing the early entrants with monitored evaluation, regular counseling sessions, and the opportunity to study with like-minded peers. This year, nine Early Entrance Program students will receive baccalaureate degrees and one will be awarded the Master of Arts degree.
# # # |