October 29, 1997
Contact: Tracy Murberger, 619/594-5204
Catherine Woo, SDSU professor of Chinese language, literature and art, to receive Humanitarian of the Year Award
Catherine Yi-yu Cho Woo, professor of Chinese language, literature and art at San Diego State University, has been selected by The National Conference in Orange County as the 1997 recipient of its Humanitarian of the Year Award.
The presentation will be made at a gala on Wednesday, November 5, 1997, at the Hyatt Regency Irvine. There will be a reception from 6 - 7 p.m., followed by dinner and the program.
In announcing the award, the agency praised Dr. Woo for her humanitarian and artistic achievements exemplifying The National Conference’s
mission of promoting respect and understanding of people of all backgrounds.
Dr. Woo is an internationally known scholar, artist, poet, and composer who has generously dedicated time, energy, talent, and knowledge to intercultural understanding. "I feel like I have been so blessed," she says. "This is my way of paying back."
A feature article about Dr. Woo in San Diego Magazine (Oct. ‘94) pointed out that she is not only a bridge between two cultures, Chinese and American, but a link between many artistic disciplines--painting, poetry, literature, music. Director of the Chinese language program at SDSU and former director of the University’s China Studies Institute and Center for Asian Studies, she has authored nine books on Chinese literature, art, and culture; lectured extensively around the world, and had her paintings exhibited at leading galleries, museums, and institutions, including the United Nations.
Dr. Woo has served on the National Council on the Arts, the Board of KPBS Public Broadcasting, the American Association for Chinese Studies, the Chinese Language Teachers Association; and she was Commissioner for Arts and Culture for the City of San Diego.
Dr. Woo’s educational background includes a B.A. in art and an M.A. in art history from San Diego State, graduate work in Chinese language and culture at UCLA; and an Ed.D. in bilingual and multi-cultural education from the University of San Francisco.
Her many honors include receiving SDSU’s Meritorious Performance and Professional Promise Award in 1987 and1990; Outstanding Professor Award in 1988-1989, University Research Lectureship in 1990-1991; and she was the Phi Beta Kappa lecturer in 1994.
The National Conference is a human relations organization founded in 1927. It is dedicated to fighting bias, bigotry and racism in America and the promotion of understanding and respect among all races, religions and cultures through advocacy, conflict resolution and education.
For reservations or further information about the awards gala, call
(714) 668-9191.
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