February 5, 2010
On the Internet at www.MISSIONTIMESCOURIER.com
Volume XVI – Number I
Scholarship Helps Students Fulfill Friends of Lake Murray By Barbara Cleves Anderson Dream to Study Abroad Kurt Vonnegut wrote, "We are here to help each other By Golda Akhgarnia San Diego State senior Ashley Berry was always determined to study abroad despite facing financial hardship. "Studying abroad has always been a dream of mine," Berry said, "and I knew one day I'd make it happen for myself." When it came time to start planning her trip, Berry knew she would need some help to fund her dream. She applied for the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship and was one of four SDSU students (out of 900 recipients) to receive the scholarship. Now Berry plans to use her award to study in Montevideo, Uruguay.
Gilman scholarship The Gilman scholarship provides awards of up to $5,000 for U.S. undergraduate students to study abroad for up to one academic year. It serves students who are receiving a Federal Pell Grant at the time of the application or at the time of study abroad. SDSU ranks high in the nation for students studying abroad as part of their college experience. Berry did not want to miss out on this Eduardo Santacruz experience; receiving the scholarship meant a lot to her, as she will now be in far less debt and does not have to worry about taking out loans. She plans to take advantage of this opportunity to immerse herself in Uruguay's rich culture, and will take courses with Uruguayans and live with a host family. "I'm looking forward to exploring the unknown, learning the language, trying new food, meeting new people and experiencing a different way of living." SDSU junior Eduardo Santacruz, another Gilman scholarship recipient, will study Spanish Ashley Berry literature at the University of Barcelona during the spring 2010 semester. He looks forward to learning more about a different part of the world, as well as himself, as he goes out on his own and develops his continued on page 13
Alvarado Hospital's Dr. Curtis McGuyer named new Chief of Staff Dr. Curtis McGuyer, pathologist, has been named Alvarado Hospital chief of staff, effective the first of January. The appointment is well deserved following 19 years of duty at the hospital, including serving as the chief of staff elect for the past year. As the chief of staff, Dr. McGuyer now has many new duties in addition to continuing his position as a pathologist. This includes enforcing the rules and regulations of medical bylaws for patient safety, review policy and procedures, being a spokesman for the more than 450 members of the medical staff, responsibility for sanctions and continued education, interpreting policies to the governing staff, and appointing committee chairs for standing committees. In addition to becoming chief of staff, Dr. McGuyer is also a California State Commissioner for the College of American Pathologists and helps di-
rect two reference labs in San Diego. He is also a member of the San Diego Medical Society, California Medical Society and American Society of Clinical Pathology. He was voted "Top Doctor" by San Diego Magazine in 2006, 2008 and 2009 for his medical contributions Dr. McGuyer to the community. "As a right brain thinker, I find working on difficult cases in the lab similar to solving pieces in a challenging puzzle," said Dr. McGuyer. "It's wonderful to be able to diagnose and solve an issue while helping others continued on page 10
get through this thing, whatever it is." Charlotte and Ed Blank walk at Lake Murray. Charlotte doesn't walk every day but occasionally a group of us get together for breakfast and we talk. We recently discovered that we both like quotes. I read them, savor them and forget most of them. Charlotte writes them down to peruse from time to time. A good quote is one that makes one say "Hmmm." I read a quote recently that put in perspective what I had been thinking about. "Compassion is a foundation for sharing our aliveness and building a more humane world." - Martin Lowenthal. I read this quote and immediately thought of a young family I've heard of but haven't met. Court Levy and his wife Amy by all indications are kind. They also act on their kindness. Court's mom is one of the Floras. (When I first met Flora, I couldn't tell them apart. One Flora is Fran and the other is Dora. They both have reddish, short hair and Amy Levy with her daughter wear visors. They are approximately the Sarah Elizabeth. continued on page 11
Home of Guiding Hands and the Lake Murray Playground Project benefit from “The Trails” Fundraiser The Trails Neighborhood Eatery helped raise funds for two community organizations in mid-January: the El Cajonbased Home of Guiding Hands, and the Lake Murray Playground Project. Owner Stacey PoonKinney donated 10 percent of the restaurant's dinner proceeds to each nonprofit, totaling just more than $300 for the Home of Guiding Hands' fund- Families enjoyed dinner at The Trails raiser on January 14th and Neighborhood Eatery as part of a Lake 15th, and about $200 for the Murray Playground Project fundraiser. Lake Murray Playground Project's fund-raiser on January 16th. "This is just the beginning for us," says Poon-Kinney. "We intend to make this a cornerstone of our business. Part of our mission is to take care of the community that takes care of us." The Home of Guiding Hands, based in El Cajon, provides services to people with development disabilities and Local children checked out the their families. The Lake Murray proposed Lake Murray Community Playground Project is working Park playground design at a fundraiser to design, fund and re-build the held at The Trails located in San Carlos. playground at Lake Murray Commuplayground. nity Park. Both community organizations The playground boosters were were able to invite their own friends able to raise additional funds through and families to the fundraising dinan opportunity drawing, t-shirt and ners, with The Trails also donating a water bottle sales, and orders for pavportion of its proceeds from walk-in ers that will surround the revamped continued on page 12
Photo credit: Rob Hotz
Four SDSU students are recipients of the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship