Class motivates charity event
WEDNESDAY October 5, 2011 Volume 97, Issue 23 W W W.T H E D A I LYA Z T E C . C O M
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Brody Burns breaks down SDSU’s new Center for Surf Research. | ANTONIO ZARAGOZA, PHOTO EDITOR
Antonio Zaragoza photo editor This weekend, a student’s will to help San Diego State alumna and volunteer professor’s assistant Rita Roberson is taking place in the form of a fundraiser which will help purchase much-needed equipment for Roberson, who has quadriplegic cerebral palsy. Roberson assists one of the most popular general studies classes at SDSU; the 420 class taught by professor Mendy McClure. One of McClure’s students is Chris Maker, a senior studying sociology. Each semester the class has a community service project where students choose what they work on. When Maker heard Roberson was having dif-
ficulty with her insurance company to buy a much-needed lift that helps her get in and out of bed and also into exercise equipment, he jumped to it. “I asked professor McClure if I could organize a fundraiser to help Rita as my community service component and she said yes,” Maker said. Because the class is a general studies course, a wide variety of students enroll and have conversations revolving around disabilities on and off campus, helping students interact with one another. The class is more than lectures: it has a hands-on approach. McClure agreed to teach the class only if Roberson could assist her. “She’s an incredible person and a great inspiration,” Maker said. “She has so much patience and definitely knows what she’s talking about. She and pro-
fessor McClure make the best team.” McClure has been teaching for the special education department at SDSU since 1993. In 1998, she was asked to teach the 420 class. “This class is designed to bring disability awareness to the campus,” McClure said. Roberson graduated from SDSU in 1988 with a bachelor’s degree in recreation management. She has been instrumental in bringing awareness to disability issues on campus and has also worked at the Challenge Center for more than 10 years. The center provides physical therapy for children, adults and seniors with severe disabilities. Those who know Roberson speak of her incredible fortitude and colorful disposition despite suffering from severe quadriplegic cerebral palsy.
“Many people have family members or know someone with disabilities and Rita is a strong resource for the class,” McClure said. “She has a lot of connections in the community and participates in various services and organizations; she is definitely my link to the community.” With help from SDSU’s Student Veteran Organization, Maker has put together the fundraiser event to help Roberson continue her work on campus. Maker has put in his own money to fund the event, but said the project is worth it. “Rita is, above all else, a fellow Aztec,” Maker said. “The lift Rita needs costs about $2,500, so anything we can do to help her out is worth it.” The fundraiser will take place at the SVO house on Fraternity Row this Friday at 8 p.m.
Outstanding work brings award
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Stephanie Saccente contributor San Diego State Professor of Management and Information Systems Dr. James Beatty was presented with the 2011 SDSU Alumni Association award for outstanding faculty contribution in the College of Business Administration.
The award, commonly known as the Faculty Monty, is a well-respected award given annually to one faculty member in each of the seven colleges. Beatty has been a professor in the College of Business Administration for the past 38 years. He currently teaches statistical analysis and Six Sigma business management strategy. Besides his recent Monty Award, he has received the Outstanding Overall Faculty Award in 2000, has been named
Outstanding Faculty Member for the Executive Master of Business Administration program four times and has been nominated multiple times for the U.S. Professor of the Year award sponsored by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. “I feel a great deal of excitement and pleasure to be honored with such a prestigious award. It is always nice to be recognized,” Beatty said. Apart from being a professor at SDSU, Beatty is also known for his work with the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. The award is America’s highest honor and the only formal recognition of quality achievements of both private and public organizations given by the president of the United States. Beatty has served on the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program’s Board of Examiners eight times and has been ranked senior examiner as well as coach and mentor for new Baldrige examiners. Because of his work with the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, Beatty has had the opportunity to evaluate organizations firsthand and has even met former-U.S. President George W. Bush and for-
mer-U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney, among others, while doing so. He has also led numerous organizations through Baldrige self-assessment. Beatty has devoted a great deal of his time to work with the June Burnett Institute for Family and Children and currently serves on the board. The institute is a privately funded organization based out of SDSU. “I have always found it important to give back to the community. The opportunity to work with people is something I take great pride in,” Beatty said. Beatty hopes to provide a strong foundation for his students to help them grow and become successful after their time in college. A professor who proudly proclaims he truly loves his job, he hopes to teach and motivate his students to look past the dollar amount earnings of a career and encourages them to find something they will also truly love doing. One of his favorite things about teaching is staying in touch with his students after they graduate and hearing of their success. He often reminds his students to “remain true to yourselves and always keep in mind what you can do.”
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“I wanted to be suave and strong ... But I could see myself on the floor afterward, strangers looking at me with my face to the ground, kissing the cement and saying, “I’m so glad you feel the same way. We can be in love together now. I’m so happy.” B A C K PA G E
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