February 7, 1998

CONTACTS: Shirley Hulett, SDSU, (619) 594-5204

Dolores Davies, UCSD, (619) 534-5994

 

Media Advisory

WHAT: A reception to honor Dr. Sanford I. Berman, Ph.D. (better known to old-time San Diegans by his stage name, Dr. Michael Dean, hypnotist), who has established significant endowments at San Diego State University and the University of California, San Diego.

WHEN: 10 a.m., Tuesday, February 10

WHERE: San Diego State University, International Students Center. (Map enclosed)

PROGRAM: SDSU President Stephen Weber and UCSD Chancellor Robert Dynes will participate in a short program to recognize Dr. Berman’s gifts to the two universities. Dr. Berman will explain his gifts, his commitment to education, and his desire to make a major contribution to the San Diego community. Dr. Berman will be available to talk with media for a brief period following the program.

BACKGROUND: Prior to retiring to Las Vegas in 1990, Dr. Berman had mesmerized thousands of San Diegans at the Gaslight Supper Club, the Catamaran, and other clubs. Few fans know that he holds the distinction of being only hypnotist in show business history with a doctor of philosophy and a nearly 30-year run in one city. Dr. Berman earned a Ph.D. in communications from Northwestern University and he is past-president of the International Society of General Semantics. He has also written and edited scholarly publications in the field.

(end)

 

February 10, 1998

CONTACTS: Shirley Hulett, SDSU, (619) 594-5204

Dolores Davies, UCSD, (619) 534-5994

Dr. Sanford Berman (a.k.a. Dr. Michael Dean, Former San Diego Hypnotist) Gives Major Gifts to SDSU and UCSD

San Diego State University and the University of California, San Diego, are each recipients of $350,000 endowments from Dr. Sanford I. Berman. The gifts will be used for educational programs to enhance and advance the study of general semantics.

While Berman’s name may not be a household word, many long-time San Diegans know him by his stage name, Dr. Michael Dean, hypnotist. As Dr. Dean, he amazed San Diegans with his hypnotic talents for nearly three decades, appearing at the Gaslight Supper Club, the Catamaran and other clubs. Few San Diegans are aware, however, of his academic credentials.

According to Berman, he is the only hypnotist in show business history with a Ph.D. and a nearly 30-year run in one city.

Berman holds a bachelors degree from the University of Minnesota, a master’s degree from Teacher’s College - Columbia University, and a doctorate in communication from Northwestern University. He has also served with distinction on the faculty of Northwestern University, Illinois Institute of Technology, and the University of Chicago.

A native of Virginia, Minnesota, he became a hypnotist as a means to earn money for college. His plan paid off. After a long and successful career as a hypnotist, Berman decided it was time to pursue his real passion: language and education.

Upon retiring in 1989, he told the San Diego Union of his plans for the future, "I have to do something with my mind," he said. "I want to research more and write more. It’s time I started thinking about the future of education."

The show business legend moved to Las Vegas in 1990 where he has been appearing in top clubs while pursuing his research in general semantics.

With these two major gifts to SDSU and UCSD, Berman is achieving his goals of making a major contribution to both San Diego and the study of language and communication.

"Dr. Berman is creating a legacy that will help ensure that subsequent generations of students learn the importance of effective communication,"

Dr. Stephen Weber, SDSU president, said. "In this way, he is seeking a greater synergy between who we are as human beings and what we are capable of achieving. We are proud to be partners with him in this quest."

Berman pointed out that, "Most people are not aware of how important public speaking and effective communication are in achieving personal and professional success and happiness. Of course, you cannot separate this from thinking intelligently, and this is the method of thinking, communicating and behaving intelligently, which is what all education should be about."

"With Dr. Berman’s generous gift, UCSD is establishing the Sanford I. Berman Chair in Language and Human Communication," UCSD Chancellor Robert Dynes, explained. "This endowment will enable us to recruit a top-rate scholar well-versed in the importance of general semantics and the study of language as a mediator of human activity. This scholar will possess a world-class reputation, and will excel as a communicator as well as a teacher."

At San Diego State, the endowment will be used to establish the Dr. Sanford I. Berman Institute for Effective Communication and General Semantics. The collaborative effort will be dedicated to the study of language and human behavior within the context of our diverse human societies.

Berman is not content to sit back and let others do the work. He plans to be an active participant, and to share his method of teaching at the institute.

The Berman Chair at UCSD and the Berman Institute at SDSU will complement the strengths in the communication program of each institution.

(end)