CONTACT: Jason Foster
SDSU Marketing & Communications
(619) 594-4285, (619) 242-1365 pager
foster@mail.sdsu.edu

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

More than 9,700 Students Eligible To Participate
in SDSU Commencement
Ceremonies Scheduled for May 15, 17 and 18

SAN DIEGO, Wednesday, May 7, 2003 - San Diego State University will host the largest commencement ceremony in its history on May 15, 17 and 18, 2003.

Approximately 9,775 students (this figure is adjusted for double majors), including 7,457 bachelor's degree candidates, 2,364 master's degree candidates and 57 doctoral candidates, have applied to graduate and are eligible to participate in commencement ceremonies at the Imperial Valley campus or at Cox Arena. The ceremony schedule is as follows:

Thursday, May 15:
· 7 p.m., Rollie Carrillo Quad, Imperial Valley Campus, Calexico

Saturday, May 17:
· 8 a.m., College of Arts and Letters (Cox Arena)
· 12 noon, College of Health and Human Services (Cox Arena)
· 4 p.m., College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts (Cox Arena)

Sunday May 18:
· 8 a.m., College of Business Administration (Cox Arena)
· 12 noon, College of Education and Undergraduate Division (Cox Arena)
· 4 p.m., College of Sciences and College of Engineering (Cox Arena)

"This year's ceremonies will not only feature the largest group of students in the university's history, but also one of the most accomplished," said SDSU President Stephen L. Weber. "They are ready and eager to use their skills and knowledge to contribute in positive ways to this region, the nation and the world as teachers, nurses, scientists, and as professionals in many other disciplines."

Commencement 2003 Story Ideas

· Outstanding Students: SDSU students from a variety of disciplines and backgrounds have incredible stories of inspiration, overcoming challenge, or pursuing careers in areas from homeland security to science. (See the attached list of students available for interviews.)

· Nurses Now Graduates: Three years ago, SDSU and many local hospitals formed the Nurses Now partnership to boost nursing student enrollment. This month, the first graduates from that program will start working in local hospitals to address the region's critical nursing shortage.

· SDSU Among Top Universities For Hispanic Graduates: According to the May 5, 2003, issue of The Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education, SDSU ranks No. 7 in the U.S. for bachelor's degrees awarded to Hispanics.

· Honorary Degree Recipients: This year marks the 40th anniversary that SDSU has awarded honorary degrees. The first honorary doctorate was awarded to President John F. Kennedy during Commencement ceremonies in 1963, only a few months before the President was assassinated in Dallas. Next week, SDSU will confer three honorary doctorates to extraordinary individuals who have made great contributions to the arts, sciences and philanthropy - Renowned artist John A. Baldessari, Major General and former astronaut Charles F. Bolden, and philanthropist/entrepreneur Sol Price.

Media Parking and Cox Arena Access information:
Parking is free both days. Media parking (for non-satellite trucks) will be reserved on Level 2 of Parking Structure 4, located off Aztec Circle Drive across the street from L Lot. Media will have access to the rear of the Cox Arena floor through the ground floor entrance next to L Lot, off of Aztec Circle Drive. Media must provide name in advance or show media ID for entry. For directions or to inquire about other arrangements, contact Jason Foster at (619) 594-2585 (office) or (619) 620-1184 (pager).

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San Diego State University
2003 Commencement Profiles

The following students will participate as graduates in San Diego State University's 2003 commencement ceremonies. To arrange interviews, please contact Jason Foster, SDSU Marketing & Communications, at (619) 594-2585 (office), (619) 620-1184 (pager), (619) 992-0772 (cell) or foster@mail.sdsu.edu.

Neremiah Castano
Degree: Bachelor of Science, Nursing
Story: Neremiah is among the first graduates of the Nurses Now program that's designed to help alleviate the acute shortage of nurses in the region. He plans to work at a local hospital. He received the Quest for the Best award, bestowed upon only eight students at SDSU and was on the Dean's List. Neremiah is active in a wide range of student organizations on campus and in the San Diego community including: Sigma Beta Tau, an international nursing honor's society; Associated Students; A.B. Samahan, a Filipino cultural organization; and the Center for Fraternity and Sorority Life Advisory Board.

Uyen ("Winnie") Quan
Degree: Bachelor of Science, Nursing
Story: Uyen is another Nurses Now graduate. Uyen struggled against the odds to achieve her goals. She came to the U.S. from Vietnam at age 3. Her family weathered financial challenges but encouraged Uyen to attain an education. Her nurturing personality and experience during her father's illness several years ago prompted her to pursue a career in nursing. Uyen plans to work as an oncology nurse at Children's Hospital.

Beth Cole
Degree: Bachelor of Science, Biology
Story: Beth was chosen as the Outstanding Student this year by the Department of Biology faculty. She co-authored a recent publication on molecular cardiology, and Beth has applied to medical school and will likely study at UC Irvine. Beth volunteered in the Alvarado Hospital emergency room, and is on the Student Health Advisory Board for the Student Health Center. Beth will give a speech for the department's post-commencement reception on May 18 at 5 p.m.

Greg Marien
Degree: Bachelor of Science, Aerospace Engineering
Story: Greg was the team leader and took first place for the DBF (Design/Build/Fly) International Competition sponsored by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Greg and his team were sponsored by Northrop Grumman and won for the "Spirit of Monty" plane, modeled with similar technology used for the Global Hawk unmanned spy plane. Greg will work at Northrop Grumman when he graduates.

Amy Mayfield
Degree: Bachelor of Arts, Fine Arts
Story: Amy graduated from the San Diego High School of Performing and Visual Arts at age 16. She will start the post-baccalaureate program at the School of Art Institute in Chicago this fall. Amy was selected as the Outstanding Student for the School of Art and received the Juror's Award in the 2003 Student Award Exhibition. She also received the Ellamarie Wolley Scholarship. Her work was published in Slamm Magazine and held exhibitions in the Social Club and Gallery, Army of She/He Festival, The Lux, and shows at SDSU and UCSD.

Thomas Weisman
Degree: Bachelor of Arts, International Security and Conflict Resolution
Story: Thomas Weisman, 43, is a former supermarket executive and social worker before an epiphany in Sarajevo led him to the International Security and Conflict Resolution (ISCOR) program at San Diego State University. In Sarajevo, he met a Serbian woman enrolled in the ISCOR program. He assisted the woman in getting her sister out of Serbia during the 1999 NATO bombing, and later returned to help plant four tons of donated American vegetable seeds in war-torn Kosovo. He has also studied abroad in Russia and Hungary. After graduation, Weisman plans to work with the International Foundation to Support Humanitarian Programs, a relatively new organization that implements social projects in Russia using funds from the U.S. Departments of State and Commerce.
(Note: Thomas will return to the United States on May 13.)

Leonie Wichert
Degree: Bachelor of Arts, International Security and Conflict Resolution
Story: Leonie is an international student from Germany and has already interned in International Security at the Atlantic Council, a Washington D.C. think tank. She worked for the U.N. Association to teach hundreds of local fifth-graders about human rights in developing countries, and volunteered for the International Rescue Committee to help refugees integrate into American society. Leonie plans to pursue a master's degree in human rights at the London School of Economics. (Note: Available for print only - no TV.)

Darren Brehm
Degree: Bachelor of Science, Finance
Story: Darren survived an accident that left him a quadriplegic in 1993. Still, he worked his way through a community college and earned a 4.0 before he came to SDSU, where he continued to excel. Darren is active in university associations and groups including Mortar Board, and has been a student mentor in the College of Business. He also volunteers at Sharp Hospital's Rehabilitation Center where he talks with young adults with similar injuries. Darren applied to 10 MBA programs and is currently wait-listed at Harvard and UCLA.

San Diego State University is the oldest and largest higher education institution in the San Diego region. Founded in 1897, SDSU has grown to offer bachelor's degrees in 78 areas, master's degrees in 62 areas and doctorates in 14. SDSU's more than 33,000 students participate in academic curricula distinguished by direct contact with faculty and an increasing international emphasis that prepares them for a global future. For more information log on to www.sdsu.edu.

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