Fiscal Year 2021-2022
Performing Arts District Impact Report psfa.sdsu.edu
SDSU Performing Arts District
TO PROVIDE THE HIGHEST CALIBER OF ARTISTIC EDUCATION FOR STUDENTS
Mission
To feel invincible, to be a part of something, to smile and create smiles, to sing at the top of your lungs, to ache in beautiful ways, to forget, to live.
College of Professional
Studies and Fine Arts
SDSU's performing arts mission is to provide the highest caliber of artistic education for students. The CSU's support of the performing arts district (PAD) gives the PAD a once-in-a-lifetime chance to leverage the state's investment to benefit the performing arts at SDSU. Students interact with the San Diego community arts as interns, and over 80% of SDSU faculty are represented as performing professionals in San Diego arts organizations. This symbiotic relationship is critical to the success and perseverance of the arts in San Diego.
SDSU FACULTY 80%
Are represented as performing professionals in San Diego arts organizations.
Overview
The PAD has two indoor and two outdoor performance venues tailored to the needs of training the next generation of creative and performing artists. Philanthropic support provides state-of-the-art performance technologies to enhance theatrical experiences for students and the wider community. The PAD enables SDSU to extend invitations to nationally recognized artists to hold Master Classes and partner with the professional arts organizations in Southern California. COMPLETION
2022
The project is on time, on budget, and is scheduled to be completed in late 2022.
Philanthropic Impact | On to a New Stage
Impact
Campaign Background
On to a New Stage is a fundraising campaign to match CSU’s $37 million allocation and ensure that the theatres and their surroundings are state-of-the-art and can support the current and future needs of the university and the community. The campaign is a unique opportunity to leverage the state’s contribution with philanthropic support to showcase SDSU performing arts for decades to come. Prebys Stage
The Conrad Prebys Foundation awarded $6 million to San Diego State University (SDSU) for development of a new stage for student productions and rehearsals. The theater is part of the Performing Arts District project, a new creative hub at SDSU. The Prebys Stage is set to open in 2023.
Heather Canary, PhD Interim Dean, College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts "The second stage was just a shell of a concept until the Prebys gift came along and funded state-of-the-art technology for lighting and sound as well as dressing rooms and seating. Their gift really transformed a beautiful idea
2023
OPENING The Prebys Stage is set to open in 2023.
into a complete reality.”
Thank You
Thank You to Our Supporters
We Saved You a Seat in the Spotlight!
Special thanks to sponsors of the Take A Seat campaign, supporting performances, students, faculty, and the greatest needs of the SDSU performing arts program.
During the FY21-22 fiscal year, donors contributed close to a million dollars to provide technological enhancements to the Performing Arts District. These donations will enhance theater acoustics, provide for outdoor performance areas, and create a state-of-the-art experience for students and the SDSU community. Construction is scheduled to be completed this year with its inaugural season in 2023.
Thank you for your generous support.
For questions regarding this report please contact DonorRelations@SDSU.edu or call (619) 594-2448.
Donor Relations University Relations and Development San Diego State University 5500 Campanile Drive San Diego, CA 92182-8030 SDSU.edu
Fiscal Year 2021-2022
Professional Studies| School of Journalism and Media Studies, School of Communication, and School of Public Affairs Impact Report
psfa.sdsu.edu
SDSU School of Journalism and Media Studies, School
of Communication and School of Public Affairs
ACADEMIC YEAR (AY) 2021-22 POINTS OF PRIDE
Message from Faculty
Temple Northup, Ph.D. Professor & Director School of Journalism and Media Studies School of Communication San Diego State University
Over the past year, the School of Journalism and Media Studies and the School of Communication has seen some exciting developments — none more so than the return to almost entirely in-person instruction. The reality is that our curriculum is designed to be delivered in person, and so it was with great jubilation that starting last fall, we returned to campus. Indeed, since that time, we have seen a reinvigoration of the school. From award winning students to faculty whose research is making a real difference in the world, we have much to be proud of during the past year. I cannot help but draw inspiration from our students, though, as they have pivoted, adjusted and adapted more times than we can count! To be certain, though, part of what made our navigating the challenging times easier, and facilitated our return to campus and in-person excellence, is the support and generosity of our donors. We would not be able to execute our vision or achieve our mission without your support. Every penny makes a difference and has a direct impact on our students and our ability to be among the best schools in the country. On behalf of all our students, faculty and staff, I thank you and look forward to hopefully seeing you soon! Gratefully,
Temple Northup, Ph.D. Director School of Journalism and Media Studies School of Communication
School of Communication Points of Pride
The School of Communication envisions sustained excellence in advancing communication scholarship, promoting social justice, fostering relationships, and enhancing the public good. We enact this vision through inspired teaching, innovative collaborative research, and impactful community engagement. We have a 90-year tradition of excellence in communication scholarship and teaching. We offer two undergraduate majors – one in communication and one in health communication. Our program in health communication is the first undergraduate major of its kind in the State of California. Our faculty’s research is comparable to that of a top doctoral program, but our faculty's focus is on the success of our undergraduate and master students.
Top
10 College of Professional
Studies and Fine Arts
MASTER OF ARTS PROGRAM
Our School of Communication M.A. program is consistently rated by Eduniversal as one of the top 10 communication programs in the United States and the world.
Points of Pride (cont'd)
School of Journalism & Media Studies
Philanthropy
The School of Journalism and Media Studies envisions a global society where citizens are engaged in their communities; where media professionals are ethical and committed to diversity and inclusivity and embrace technology to serve the public good; and where people from all backgrounds think critically about the media. The School is nationally accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications, one of just over 100 programs to receive such a distinction in the world. In this most recent year, we went through our reaccreditation process, which involves a rigorous self-study and an external visit from four faculty from across the country. In evaluating our program, they found we met all nine standards — something very few programs are able to accomplish! Our faculty’s research is comparable to that of a top doctoral program, but our faculty's focus is on the success of our undergraduate and master's students.
One of
100
NATIONALLY ACCREDITED PROGRAMS The School Journalism & Media Studies is nationally accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications, one of just over 100 programs to receive such a distinction in the world.
School of Public Affairs
The US News & World Report ranked our Master of Public Administration (MPA) program #1 in the California State University (CSU) system — the largest university system in the US (2022). The School's online MPA ranked #7 by University HQ in 2022. With this growing visibility, we continue to attract and hire top-notch faculty. Recently, we added four new faculty — two for the main SDSU campus and two for the Imperial Valley campus.
#1
Master of Public Administration (MPA) According to US News & World Report, we are the #1 ranked MPA in the CSU.
The Dr. Jack McGrory School of Public Affairs Excellence Endowment will support the School of Public Affairs by providing internships and other opportunities for students to enhance their SDSU education, including: Much-needed intervention for the SDSU Imperial Valley campus to support our School’s two-degree programs: BA in Public Administration and BS in Criminal Justice The creation of the Imperial Valley Campus Regional Resilience (R2) Lab, an academic center for developing research-driven partnerships with community agencies. The lab will also support multi-disciplinary research among Imperial Valley faculty as well as elevate scholarships on the campus. Travel support to send four Imperial Valley campus students to attend the 50th Annual Urban Affairs Association annual conference in Washington DC, April 12-14, 2022.
Impact on Student Success
Philanthropy School of Journalism and Media Studies
Positive Experiences in the JMS program
San Diego State University was always my dream school. After transferring from community college, I knew I had to put in a lot of work to pursue my passion of journalism and start thinking about my career after college.
Ronald T. Thornton (L) with Hayes Anderson
New Scholarship Provides Financial Assistance for Aspiring Broadcast Journalists
Juan Daniel Avila Journalism Major Reggie Smith Memorial Scholarship Recipient
The Ronald T. Thornton Endowed Internship Scholarship will provide scholarship support to students who participate in an internship in the School of Theatre, Television and Film and the School of Journalism and Media Studies in the College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts.
I am proud to say that all the people I have met in the JMS program have had a significant impact on my life. I have been taught how to be a good journalist and also how to be a better individual. I was taught how to deal with challenges in times of high stress. Most importantly, I was guided on how to stay truly authentic to myself during ups and downs at SDSU. All faculty and staff I have met along the way in our JMS program taught me something that I had not known before. Learning from these people has been such a positive experience.
Individual Scholarship Impact
As a recipient of the Reggie Smith Memorial Scholarship, I would first and foremost say how appreciative I am of being chosen for this scholarship. This scholarship has given me the freedom to fully concentrate on my studies and not worry about how I will be paying for part of my tuition. I have also learned what this scholarship means and represents, which has made a big impact on my education and encourages me to go out of my way to produce good journalism. School of Communication
Positive Experiences in the School of Communication
Hailea Stone Communication Studies Major, Childhood and Family Development Minor Paul Gaske Memorial Endowed Scholarship in Forensics and Percie Belle Senn Memorial Scholarship Recipient
I will forever remember competing for San Diego State University’s Speech & Debate team at the American Forensics Association National Tournament in Lincoln, Nebraska during the 2022 Spring semester. It was our first national tournament since my freshman year of college, and it was an unforgettable experience. I also enjoyed traveling to Peoria, Illinois during the Fall 2021 semester with the team. This was our first in-person tournament in two years, and it was so much fun to see other competitors and coaches again. As for my studies, I absolutely loved Godfried Asante’s Interaction and Gender communication course as well as Dr. Kathleen Czech’s Communication Capstone course.
Individual Scholarship Impact
My scholarships have greatly impacted my education at San Diego State University. These scholarship funds have eased some of my financial responsibilities and allowed me to dedicate more time and energy towards coursework, civic engagement, and my forensics endeavors.
Impact on Student Success
School of Communication
Positive Experiences in the School of Communication The School of Communication at SDSU allowed me to connect with my professors on many different levels, either professionally or for personal advice, they’re always there for you. Within the school, you get to make it your own experience, and you have the choice to focus on certain aspects of communication based on your own interests. Opportunities are everywhere you look — it is up to us to make the decision and engage with what we want in life. Katherine K Chen Communications Major Kevin Simmons Memorial Scholarship Recipient
The School of Communication not only taught me the knowledge of communication but essential skills to achieve your goals and beyond in life.
Individual Scholarship Impact The Kevin Simmons Memorial Scholarship gave me the confidence I needed to continue my studies and provided me with the help I needed to focus on my education.
School of Public Affairs
Noah Cohen Master’s student in the Criminal Justice and Criminology Program Cognella Graduate Student Scholarship in Public Affairs Recipient
During my time at San Diego State University, I was one of the students awarded the Cognella Graduate Student Scholarship in Public Affairs. This scholarship, along with the other financial awards given to me by the School of Public Affairs and San Diego State, have allowed me the opportunity to work, teach, and research to a degree I would not have been able to without them. I was able to use the funding to focus on my research into international human rights and international criminal justice regarding the United Nations. Having been able to embark on my own unique research intrigues, assist in the instruction of undergraduates, engage with world-renown scholars in numerous fields, and present my research at national conferences are opportunities that I shall not soon forget and memories that I am immensely grateful for. Following my time at San Diego State, I will be continuing my education in the Criminal Justice Ph.D. program at The Graduate Center located at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City. There I will continue my research in international criminology with aspirations to continue to learn and understand state-sponsored human rights violence and mass crimes. Had it not been for my time at San Diego State, the people I have become connected with, and the help awarded to me, I would not be in the position I find myself in now.
Thank you for your generous support.
For questions regarding this report please contact DonorRelations@SDSU.edu or call (619) 594-2448.
Donor Relations University Relations and Development San Diego State University 5500 Campanile Drive San Diego, CA 92182-8030 SDSU.edu
Fiscal Year 2021-2022
The School of Theatre, Television, and Film Impact Report
psfa.sdsu.edu
The School of Theatre, Television, and Film
ACADEMIC YEAR (AY) 2021-22 POINTS OF PRIDE
Message from Faculty
'Niyi Coker, Jr. MFA, Ph.D. (SDC) Professor & Director The School of Theatre, Television and Film San Diego State University
Greetings from The School of Theatre, Television, and Film. We hope that you are doing well and that you and your loved ones have been able to overcome the ongoing pandemic with an even stronger love and health. It has been a very difficult two years. One in which we have been tested and challenged. As the world works to heal, we face the same daily struggles without a pandemic or post-pandemic guidebook to consult. Our students and colleagues understood from the very first moment that we are all truly connected. One sick means all sick! Our rehearsals, studio productions, and entire operations, which have traditionally worked collaboratively, were compelled to lose the luxury that we have always taken for granted. The blessing of being able to return, and the added luxury of working in-person and collaboratively again, has become a truly golden one. It is true, you never know the value of what you have until you lose it. These golden moments become heavenly ones when we have you; our patrons and audience were able to join us at the film festival previews and the staged productions. This year, we certainly bowed before the storm! But we never broke! We never broke because we understood that in these chaotic and confusing times, humanity needs artists to help in the distillation of the meaningless. Through this saga, our students have struggled with and adapted to the changes. As a community of artists, we quickly realized that we needed to find unconventional ways to tell stories that otherwise would remain untold. That the isolation caused by the pandemic should not translate into an audience remanded into solitary confinement without the enrichment or engagement with theatre and film productions. We have returned to campus and find that we have been blessed with the approval of a reconstruction of our Don Powell Theatre audience seating, the lobby, and the box office. In addition, there is ongoing construction around the building of a second stage as well as an outdoor amphitheater-style facility. As a result of these reconstruction efforts, we have had to confine all our theatre productions to the Don Powell stage and situate our audience on the stage along with the performers. Our film festivals are located at the Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union theatre, with some aspects of the festival placed virtually to accommodate the limited seating at the student union. Foremost, we are excited and grateful that a large proportion of our student population was able to return to school, and that students and their families who were/are challenged by this pandemic have been able to weather the storm. We never take that for granted, and they remain in our thoughts with every new production that we have embarked on, and will continue to pursue, as the 21/22 season comes to a close and we prepare for our 23/24 season. For the current academic year, our personnel have been blessed with an abundance of riches. Professor Ben Clark from Yale University Theatre is now the Head of Technical Theatre MFA; Jose de Matos, an SDSU alumnus, joins the school as a Studio Supervisor and Specialist; Kat Makarushka joins us from San Francisco as the new Lighting, Sound & Projection Specialist; and Kristine White, the new TTF Coordinator, was hired from the Office of Academic Affairs and replaced Angie Parkhurst, who is now the College Analyst. In the coming year, we are excited about the possibility of hiring two assistant professors in Television and Film in both narrative and documentary film.
College of Professional
Studies and Fine Arts
'Niyi Coker, Jr. MFA, Ph.D. (SDC) Professor & Director The School of Theatre, Television and Film
Impact on Student Success
Philanthropy School of Theatre, Television, and Film
Shelby Wuitschick
Theatre Arts: Performance Major Sybil E. Jones Memorial Scholarship Recipient
My Experience within the School of Theatre, Television, and Film
My time at SDSU has been filled with many wonderful opportunities through the School of Theatre, Television, and Film! I have gotten the chance to work one-onone with many distinguished professors in the classroom and out. As a theatre major, being a part of the School of TTF also allowed me to collaborate with the film department, which has been such an amazing experience. The encouragement from all areas of the school to work with your peers to create the educational experiences you want has been incredibly rewarding. Currently, I am the President of the Musical Theatre Club here at SDSU. Although we are only in our second year, we have just finished a run of “Heathers: The Musical” that was completely student-produced. I am honored to have been a part of this fantastic production, and it truly would not have been possible without the help and support of the entire School of TTF. I have grown so much as a performer within the School of TTF. I will forever be grateful for the people I have met and the mentors I have gained. My experience at SDSU has been extremely positive, and I cannot wait to see what my final year here will bring.
Individual Scholarship Impact
I am incredibly grateful to have been awarded the Sybil E. Jones Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship allowed me to continue pursuing my education without worrying about the added costs of course materials. While I am majoring in theatre arts, I am also currently minoring in both business administration and interdisciplinary studies through the Weber Honors College. This scholarship offered me the opportunity to pursue this added course load and all the additional expenses that come with it. I truly wouldn’t have been able to accomplish all that I have without this scholarship.
New Scholarship Provides Financial Assistance for Aspiring Broadcast Journalists The Ronald T. Thornton Endowed Internship Scholarship will provide scholarship support to students who participate in an internship in the School of Theatre, Television and Film and the School of Journalism and Media Studies in the College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts.
Thank you for your generous support.
For questions regarding this report please contact DonorRelations@SDSU.edu or call (619) 594-2448.
Donor Relations University Relations and Development San Diego State University 5500 Campanile Drive San Diego, CA 92182-8030 SDSU.edu
Fiscal Year 2021-2022
L. Robert Payne School of Hospitality & Tourism Management Impact Report psfa.sdsu.edu
L. Robert Payne School of Hospitality & Tourism Management Message from
ACADEMIC YEAR (AY) 2021-22
Faculty Points of Pride
Generous donors have supported field trips, visits abroad, and travel to places like Washington, DC, San Francisco, Dubai, and Palm Springs. We are also planning to send students to study abroad again.
The L. Robert Payne School of Hospitality & Tourism Management was challenged last year by Covid-19 and a slew of impacts related to the pandemic. Like all hospitality schools globally, we suffered a decline in enrollments — there simply were no jobs for our students during the peak of Covid. Teaching hospitality online was also a challenge, as our area requires face-to-face interactions in reality. Students, instructors, and staff all struggled to survive the pandemic. Thanks to some hard work and planning, we are now beginning to recover. We have been “dark” for nearly two years, and the upcoming recovery feels glorious! From bleak to exciting — here we go! Carl Winston Founding Director L. Robert Payne School of Hospitality & Tourism Management
Our master’s degree programs have thrived, even during Covid19. Thanks to our partnership with Meeting Professionals International, our unique Meeting and Event Master’s has sold out three years in a row. Long-time faculty and past leader Gene Lamke finally REALLY retired after 52 continued years of teaching. Professor Larry Beck will be stepping down following a 43-year career at SDSU soon. We are making plans to hire new faculty soon.
Studies and Fine Arts
Professor Emeritus
Making an Impact | Jumpstarting Student Careers Across the Globe
Brian Blake is an unmatched hero to the L. Robert Payne School of Hospitality & Tourism Management. From laying the foundation for internships, resulting in a 99% placement rate upon graduation, to serving as director of global programs, Blake has helped jumpstart student careers across the globe. His leadership as Director of the J. W. & Alice S. Marriott Student Center for Professional Development was instrumental in making the Payne School one of the most student-oriented academic units at SDSU. Blake has worked endlessly to create learning experiences for HTM majors, and with the support of the talented HTM faculty, has built an industry-recognized program for graduating outstanding hospitality, recreation, and tourism professionals. Blake collaborated with charity initiatives around the world, investing in the foundation for over 15 years, and was an academic adviser of CHEI (China Hospitality Education Initiative), where he taught 400 universities and 400,000 students.
Brian Blake
Director of Global Programs Director of The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation Student Center for Professional Development
“I feel it is really important that students are allowed to attend industry-related events and experiences. This, in addition to relevant academic classes, makes for a better prepared professional. Such experiences need financing, and I hope my contributions allow for this.” - Brian Blake, regarding his support of the Lamke Family Student Experience
321 College of Professional
Gene Lamke
Fund and estate gift supporting HTM
Impact on Student Success
Positive Experiences in the L. Robert Payne School of Hospitality & Tourism Management
Philanthropy
I started at the Payne School at age 16 as a VERY shy child. With all the ways the Payne School pushes us to develop and mature, I have come out of my shell immensely. I got involved in classes, clubs, and as an advisor, I made lots of friends, got close with the faculty, and now feel up for anything that comes my way involving hospitality. I also think the Payne School network is amazing, as Carl Winston was able to help me get my first hospitality job in a restaurant back home in Chicago for the summer. When I mention that I'm a Payne student, people who know us instantly light up and want to talk more. I recently went out to eat and randomly connected with the general manager of a San Diego restaurant who was an alumnus of the school from 2018. I received sponsorships to go on multiple trips to attend professional conventions. These allowed me to go to educational seminars, bond with classmates, explore new cities, network with industry professionals and experience how what I learned in class actually applies to the real world. Individual Scholarship Impact
The Hospitality and Tourism Management Scholarship has helped my family with the financial burden of tuition, as I don't receive much financial aid and have to pay out-of-state tuition. I really felt supported by the school as they knew my situation and helped how they could with this scholarship. The sponsorships have also benefited me greatly, from seeing what I learn to actually seeing what happens in real life during the trips. It has fueled my passion to be more involved in the industry and motivated me to excel in my classes, get everything I can out of them, and contribute as much as I can to the school through advising or volunteering.
Virtual Event Planning Leader Charlotte Randle
Hospitality and Tourism Management: Emphasizing in meetings and events operations and minoring in marketing Recipient of Hospitality and Tourism Management Scholarship from the Payne School for the 20202021 school year and multiple trip sponsorships.
The Patti Roscoe Meeting and Events Professorship continues to support the unique Institute for Meetings and Events, which became the leading center for virtual event planning globally during Covid-19. Supporting Student Field Trips The L. Robert Payne School of Hospitality & Tourism Management had an anonymous donor who supported significant travel and field trips for our students last year. Student Experiential Learning Gifts supporting the newly created Lamke Family Student Experience Fund will provide support for student experiential learning for the School, including student travel to industry conferences and trade shows, hospitality and recreational facilities tours, educational conferences, and other industry events.
Thank you for your generous support.
For questions regarding this report please contact DonorRelations@SDSU.edu or call (619) 594-2448.
Donor Relations University Relations and Development San Diego State University 5500 Campanile Drive San Diego, CA 92182-8030 SDSU.edu
Fiscal Year 2021-2022
MFA Musical Theatre Program Impact Report
psfa.sdsu.edu
MFA Musical Theatre Program
ACADEMIC YEAR (AY) 2021-22 POINTS OF PRIDE
Message from Faculty
Robert Meffe
The SDSU MFA Musical Theatre Program simply could not survive without the support of our wonderful donors. 2021-2022 Brought us back together at our live productions of Steel Pier and the world premiere of Postcard American Town. Technology also contributed to bring us closer together, evinced by a wonderful Zoom discussion with the legendary composer John Kander and the creative team of the original Steel Pier. Connecting our students with the legacy of the past to carry musical theatre into the future is the rewarding work of our program, and we can't do it without your help.
Robert Meffe Head, MFA Musical Theatre Program San Diego State University Points of Pride
The SDSU MFA Musical Theatre Program is only one of two graduate programs in the world that focus on musical theatre performance and pedagogy. For the class of 2024, we received sixty applications and offered acceptance to eight students (13.3% acceptance rate). Of the 22 graduates from 2016 to today, 72% have full-time teaching positions, including seven in tenure tracks. An exciting new program that we started this year was to invite Amanda Peñazola-Banks to our studio class to give our students pedagogical training in voice and movement for the actor.
One of
2
GRADUATE PROGRAMS IN THE WORLD The SDSU MFA Musical Theatre Program is only one of two graduate programs in the world that focus on musical theatre performance and pedagogy.
Student Spotlight
While studying for an MFA in Musical Theatre at SDSU, Julio Cataño-Yee served as the President/Executive Artistic Director for the Teatro San Diego Theatre Organization, whose mission is to create more opportunities for representation in theatre. Following graduation, CatañoYee received a full-time teaching offer at Texas State University.
College of Professional
Studies and Arts
Julio Cataño-Yee Musical Theatre MFA Student Scholarship Recipient
Philanthropy
Faculty Achievements
New Musical Theatre Initiative
Gifts to the Julia R. Brown New Musical Theatre Initiative Fund provide continued support for the greatest needs of the New Musical Theatre Initiative in the Musical Theatre Program.
Student Scholarships
Gifts to the Julia R. Brown Musical Theatre Endowed Scholarship and Julia Brown Musical Theatre Scholarship continue to provide scholarships to students enrolled in the Musical Theatre Program.
Professor Robert Meffe was promoted to a leadership position for the Trentino Music Festival, a summer-long musical theatre intensive for outstanding college students in Mezzano, Italy. In addition, he wrote a book chapter in the just-released book, "Fifty Key Musicals," published by Routledge.
New Gift to Support Scholarships
A gift establishing the Ron and Sue Heller Musical Theatre Endowed Scholarship will provide scholarship support to students pursuing a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) Degree in Musical Theatre in the College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts.
MFA Musical Theatre Endowed Professorship
Donor gifts to the MFA Musical Theatre Endowed Professorship provide ongoing support of an endowed professorship in the Musical Theatre Master of Fine Arts program. Additional Scholarship Impact
Our current accounts were able to fund scholarships totaling more than $110,000 over the past two years for the Class of 2022 cohort. This allocation supported 64% of the tuition for the Class of 2022, but only covers 45% of the cost of the total tuition and fees, books and supplies, food and housing, transportation, and miscellaneous costs. For recruitment to be competitive with R1 research institutions, our program needs to work towards providing full funding for our students, who are taking two years out of their careers to pursue graduate education. Over
$110K
CLASS OF 2022 SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT Our current accounts were able to fund scholarships totaling over $110,000 over the past two years for the Class of 2022 cohort.
Associate Professor Stephen Brotebeck is part of an international faculty of musical theatre educators that has created a first of its kind Musical Theatre Conservatory in Jakarta, Indonesia with the New York based Passport to Broadway.
Fiscal Year 2021-2022
School of Art + Design Impact Report
psfa.sdsu.edu
School of Art + Design
ACADEMIC YEAR (AY) 2021-22 POINTS OF PRIDE
Message from Faculty
The School of Art + Design is a creative learning community in which students develop their practice as artists, designers, and art historians who work in and across media while enhancing their visual, material, and conceptual thinking within the context of the School’s commitments to social/environmental justice and creative entrepreneurship, as well as its location near the US-Mexico Border and on the Pacific Rim. We are deeply committed to building an inclusive community, where SDSU’s creative leaders — faculty, students, and alumni — can use their skills and imagination to make enduring contributions to our region. Starting Fall 2022, World Design Capital SDSU Headquarters will provide our students with space to engage with the leaders and policymakers from our binational community. We are ready to support the WDC 2024 efforts in mobilizing design to transform our region.
Arzu Ozkal Interim Director, School of Art + Design
The University Art Gallery has established its place within the regional art scene as a major cultural destination to see contemporary and innovative exhibitions. We aspire to become a state-of-the-art venue with the latest equipment and technology and serve as a rich cultural resource for students, scholars, and the community. From first-time donors to devoted volunteers, from Windgate Foundation and Society of Illustrators to our esteemed alumni, there are many groups for whom we are grateful. Your collective impact supports students' professional and academic success. Thank you for believing in the power of art and design to inform and inspire. Warmly,
Arzu Ozkal Interim Director, School of Art and Design
Points of Pride
The SDSU School of Art + Design is home to over 885 undergraduate and 20 graduate candidates studying a variety of disciplines. The School of Art and Design offered students 348 classes taught by 14 tenure/tenure track professors and 53 lecturers. There are two degrees and one minor offered by the School of Art + Design. Students can receive a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences, a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Arts and Sciences, as well as a Minor in Art. Students receiving an undergraduate degree have many emphasis areas to choose from, including but not limited to: art history, studio arts, graphic design, interior architecture, multimedia and photography, painting and printmaking, applied design, and sculpture.
College of Professional
Studies and Fine Arts
15
EXHIBITIONS HOSTED Our campus gallery program has been incredibly robust this academic year, hosting a total of 15 student, faculty, national and international exhibitions in our four oncampus galleries, including the University, Everett Gee Jackson, Flor y Canto, and the Installation room.
Philanthropy
Student Spotlight
Impact | Enhancing the Studio Space
The School of Art + Design received three significant donations to improve the studio space used by the furniture design and woodworking students and faculty, including enhancing studio capabilities and safety. The gifts provided funding to purchase equipment to improve the studio's ventilation system, allowing students to work in a pleasant, dust-free environment.
Program Highlights
The Amplify Guest Artist Series, a program generously funded by the Michele Schlecht Visiting Artist Fund and the School of Art + Design, brought 19 artists to campus in 2022. Started as an initiative under the school’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, the Amplify series focused on bringing the stories and work of artists of color to Art + Design students. In March 2022, the University Gallery at the School of Art + Design hosted a retrospective exhibition featuring the work of internationally renowned, Nigerian artist Bruce Onobrakpeya.
IN CASH AWARDS and EXHIBITION OPPORTUNITIES $16K
Due to our generous award sponsors, including several university deans, directors, administrators, and donors, the 2022 Student Award Exhibition awarded more than ever before — over $16,000 in cash awards and exhibition opportunities were provided to our student-artists.
Maryam Kaboli MA Interior Architecture Art Council Ambassador Award Winner
"The School of Art and Design has a great atmosphere. I enjoy working and studying in such a joyful environment beside great professors and faculties. I am very excited that there are multiple Fine-Art classes that you can take and enjoy learning new skills. I took a Furniture and Woodworking class with professor Adam Manley, which was a great experience, and I enjoyed learning to work with wood."
Faculty Achievements
Student Spotlight
Greetings from our Tenured and Tenure Track Faculty! Top Row, Left to Right: Carlos
Castro, Eva Struble, Kotaro Nakamura, Adam Manley, Gillian Sneed, Sondra Sherman, Matthew Hebert
Bottom Row, Left to Right:
Annie Buckley, Arzu Ozkal, Mark Siprut, Tina Yapelli, Avery Caldwell
Painting and Printmaking Professor Carlos Castro Arias and Art History Lecturer Amy Sanchez Arteaga from Cog*nate Collective were selected as winners of the prestigious 2022 SD Art Prize. The San Diego Visual Arts Collective awards the SD Art Prize to artists from the San Diego region who encourage important dialogue and reflect San Diego's cultural and artistic life through their work.
Professor Annie Buckley received over $1,650,000 in grants and contracts for Prison Arts Collective.
Professors Adam Manley and Keriane Quick curated an exhibition for City College
entitled Small Acts: The Craft of Subversion. The exhibition includes 60+ artists from across North America exploring subversion through a range of contemporary craft approaches.
Arzu Ozkal’s latest work, Silk Road Songbook, an immersive audio-video installation, is
currently exhibited at OCAT Museum in Xi'an, China. Research and development for the Silk Road Songbook has been supported to date by the Ontario Arts Council, American Turkish Society, University at Buffalo Humanities Institute, University at Buffalo United University Professionals, University at Buffalo Dept. of Art, and San Diego State University.
Professor Matthew Hebert’s recent interactive sound installation La Jolla Reading Room at Athenaeum Music and Arts Library in La Jolla, California, was well-reviewed in the San Diego Press, garnering an extensive preview in the San Diego Union Tribune as well as a feature on KPBS. the NPR affiliate. The exhibition also garnered international attention, leading to an interview on BBC Radio 6 as part of the UK’s National Storytelling Week.
Professor Gillian Sneed was just selected as a participant in Engaging Latinx Art, a
National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Institute for Higher Education Faculty organized by the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston and the University of Houston, Texas, which will take place in June 2022.
Professor Eva Struble is working on a commission for the City of Hope Cancer Center in
Irvine, CA — a large 3D relief painting informed by local botany and geological formations of the region.
Professor Tina Yapelli collaborated with her students in Art 506: Contemporary Issues to
organize a virtual exhibition presented at Kunstmatrix.com. The exhibition brought together work by nine artists, including two collaborative teams, who utilize diverse mapping strategies to examine a variety of geocultural concerns to inspire action against injustice and to affect positive change within a shared societal landscape.
Alexander Zimmerman MFA student
Alexander Zimmerman was awarded the President’s Award at the Student Research Symposium (SRS). The SRS is a university-wide event that highlights the outstanding research and creative endeavors of students at SDSU. Alexander’s work was selected from 390 undergraduate and graduate submissions.
Thank you for your generous support.
For questions regarding this report please contact DonorRelations@SDSU.edu or call (619) 594-2448.
Donor Relations University Relations and Development San Diego State University 5500 Campanile Drive San Diego, CA 92182-8030 SDSU.edu
Fiscal Year 2021-2022
School of Music and Dance Impact Report
psfa.sdsu.edu
School of Music and Dance
ACADEMIC YEAR (AY) 2021-22
Message from Faculty
Though we remain careful and vigilant when it comes to the health of our students, faculty, and audiences, we remain optimistic that we will always find a way to continue training our students in the arts while maintaining safety and adapting to any conditions that arise. With performance revenue nonexistent for three semesters, the generosity of our donors has been invaluable, empowering us to support students with extra musical instruments and distance-learning technology during the shutdown and with scholarships, masterclasses, special training, and opportunities to perform new works in the current year. Beyond this practical support, we are most grateful simply knowing that donors cared for the arts and our students during this recent calamitous season.
Kevin M. Delgado, Ph.D.
On behalf of the School of Music and Dance, thank you!
Kevin M. Delgado, Ph.D. Director, Associate Professor of Music School of Music and Dance Associated Faculty, Behner Stiefel Center for Brazilian Studies San Diego State University
Looking Ahead
In the coming year, we look forward to the renovation of the Don Powell Theater and the completion of the Prebys Second Stage. In addition to providing a top-notch multi-media performance space, the Second Stage will contain a brand new audio lab for cutting-edge audio creation and research to support our fast-growing Music Recording Technology and Audio Design major. We will welcome two new full-time faculty: Dr. Travis Sherwood as coordinator of our voice program and Dr. Tina Chong as coordinator of piano studies. We will continue to provide our students with opportunities to debut and perform brand-new music and dance works. After an absence of several years, we hope to raise funds to send all our major ensembles on tours to perform in concerts, conferences, festivals, and competitions and to spread recognition of the excellence of the School of Music and Dance.
College of Professional
Studies and Fine Arts
Points of Pride
Premiere Trumpet Concerto
Our first concert with a live audience in nearly two years was an SDSU orchestra concert that included a West-Coast premiere of a trumpet concerto by composer Vivan Fung and featured guest trumpetist Mary Elizabeth Bowden. Orchestra conductor Michael Gerdes was a co-commissioner of the concerto, which sprang from a Student Success Initiative designed to honor women in music. Originally scheduled for Spring 2020 and canceled due to Covid, the concert was brought back as soon as conditions permitted, one of several premiere pieces our students have performed this year.
Philanthropy
Bill Yeager Jazz Orchestra
Our first on-campus performance occurred in October and featured the first performance of the Bill Yeager Jazz Orchestra, a new big band put together by recently retired Director of Jazz Studies at SDSU Professor William Yeager. A professional orchestra consisting of some of the top jazz talent in Southern California, the orchestra benefits from Yeager’s decades of professional experience directing jazz bands. An Ensemble-in-Residence at SDSU, the Bill Yeager Jazz Orchestra will perform public concerts every semester.
The Lipin Family Endowed Fund for Excellence in Music was established to support both community and SDSU students seeking to further their musical knowledge and abilities.
Nothing Gold Can Stay
Hosted by SDSU President Adela de la Torre and with hundreds of SDSU guests in attendance, our SDSU Wind Symphony and Orchestra performed a joint concert in downtown San Diego’s historic Balboa Theater under the theme Nothing Gold Can Stay, featuring musical selections on the themes of loss, trauma, and healing. Imperial Valley Tour
Under the leadership of Dean Peggy Shannon, the SDSU choirs, Wind Symphony, and Symphony Orchestra undertook a tour to SDSU’s sister campus in Imperial Valley to anchor a weekend festival of performing arts. Their evening concert of Music of the Masters was the highlight of a two-day historic extravaganza of the performing arts. Hailed as a historical concert, this effort to perform at SDSU Imperial Valley Campus directly engages with President de la Torre’s call for closer ties between the two campuses. We hope to make concert tours to SDSU IVC a regular occurrence. CASMEC Conference
Following two years of online meetings, in 2022 SDSU music educators returned in force to the statewide California All State Music Educators Conference in Fresno, with a large contingent of faculty and students as participants. Music education is the most popular specialization within the School of Music and Dance, with SDSU turning out more highquality music educators than anyone else in the region.
University Dance Company
Our University Dance Company returned to live audiences this year as well, presenting new dance works by faculty members Joseph Alter and Jess Humphrey. In 2023, our dance program will be able to perform in the new state-of-the-art Prebsy Second Stage, currently under construction next to the music building.
A Steinway Baby Grand piano was donated to the School of Music and Dance. The generous donor wanted to provide students full access to this beautiful instrument during their course of music study at SDSU.
Student Spotlight
Dayne Sakazaki - Music Education Major
Sakazaki has received many awards over the years at SDSU: Joseph Fisch Family Scholarship Dr. Jaroslav J. S. Mracek Memorial Endowed Scholarship Cotton Metzger Scholarship in Honor of LGBT Students SDSU San Diego Symphony Music Education Endowed Scholarship Edith Vogl Garrett Endowed Scholarship Jack Gard Music Education Endowed Scholarship Presser Music Scholar Award
Positive experiences in Journalism and Media Studies
I have really enjoyed my time as a music major at SDSU because of all the wonderful people I’ve met. I met some of my best friends in the SDSU orchestras and other ensembles, and I’ve been in a lot of ensembles! The community here is extremely supportive, and I feel encouraged to grow as a musician, student, and educator because of all the friends in our department, including other students and also faculty and administrative staff. I helped a friend to found the Music Students Association (MuSA) club in the Spring of 2021; we’ve received so much support from everyone in the department, and we’ve also been able to provide a lot of support to our peers. I think MuSA’s growth really epitomizes how much we musicians rely on each other and support each other. Everyone with whom I’ve spoken about MuSA is enthusiastic about joining, supporting and attending our events, and becoming members. The faculty are extremely helpful and are excited when we ask them to make special guest appearances. I hope that the School of Music and Dance continues to foster community, just as much as we have while I’ve been a student. Individual Scholarship Impact
My scholarships have really helped to lessen the stress of paying for tuition, housing, and food while being a full-time student. The scholarship money, combined with financial support from my parents and money earned from summer jobs, has helped me pay for my education. I can fill my schedule to the brim with classes and ensembles, milking my four years at SDSU for all the musical experience I can get out of them. Because of the scholarship funds I have received, I am able to participate in two orchestras and a band, play for the musical theatre/opera pit orchestras, and not need to work during the semesters so that I can focus on my studies. I know that I would not have been able to dedicate nearly as much time and energy to my musical education and practice (especially all the hours I’ve spent in practice rooms with my viola!) were it not for the financial support of scholarships. Thank you so much to everyone who has contributed to these scholarship awards. I am extremely grateful, and they really do make a positive difference in student lives!
Thank you for your generous support.
For questions regarding this report please contact DonorRelations@SDSU.edu or call (619) 594-2448.
Donor Relations University Relations and Development San Diego State University 5500 Campanile Drive San Diego, CA 92182-8030 SDSU.edu