SFSU Magazine Summer 2005: President's Message

Annette Bening in a stylish pin-striped suit smiles for the camera

 

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SFSU President Robert Corrigan

 

A Message from President Corrigan

The spring semester was truly an exciting one at San Francisco State University -- especially when it comes to the arts.

Our Alumnus of the Year, Manny Mashouf, founder and chairman of bebe stores inc., and his wife, Neda, also an SFSU graduate, have just given the University the largest alumni gift in its history: $10 million, which will go toward a new performing and electronic media arts building. The Mashouf's landmark gift will not only benefit future generations of students and faculty at SFSU but also contribute to the rich cultural life of the Bay Area.

In other exciting news, earlier this year, thanks to a generous $3 million gift from alumni George and Judy Marcus, SFSU launched the International Center for the Arts. Detailed on page 14, the center will celebrate some of the world's most innovative art and artists. Its inauguration was held in March with "To Cuba With Love," a two-day celebration of Afro-Cuban culture. Featuring a major art exhibit, dance concert, film screenings and more, the celebration concluded with a live concert by mambo legend Israel "Cachao" Lopez, the first recipient of a lifetime achievement award from the center.

In June the center's new Documentary Film Institute organized the Green Screen film festival, a featured program of the annual United Nations World Environment Day.

Both the Marcuses and the Mashoufs have honored the University with their great generosity. Their gifts are a true testament to their appreciation of the education that they received on our campus, and the results will enrich the experiences of our students for generations to come.

Recently we had more cause to celebrate when the achievements of two graduates of the College of Creative Arts came to the forefront. Alumna Annette Bening, the subject of our cover story, received a Golden Globe and an Oscar nomination for her captivating performance in "Being Julia." Also detailed in this issue is the work of alumna Marcy Page, who joined her fellow film producers to receive an Academy Award for "Ryan," this year's Oscar recipient for best animated short film (see page 11).

In May the University held its own equivalent of Oscar night in the Seven Hills Conference Center: the annual Alumni Hall of Fame induction ceremony. The evening honors our best and brightest graduates for their cultural, professional and civic achievements. Each one of this year's four inductees -- executive director of the San Francisco Food Bank Paul Ash (see page 12), television writer/producer Glen Charles, CBS 5 "Evening Magazine" co-host Malou Nubla and U.S. Congressman Bill Thomas, chairman of the Ways and Means Committee -- are stars in their respective fields. They join an illustrious group of alumni who serve as inspiration for future generations of students at SFSU.

As you read this issue, we hope that you'll detect a recurring theme: When you mix talent and hard work with an SFSU education, extraordinary things can happen.

Sincerely yours,

President's Signature

Robert A. Corrigan
President