CONTACT: Jason Foster, foster@mail.sdsu.edu
SDSU Marketing & Communications
(619) 594-2585, pager (619) 620-1184

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SDSU MONTH RETURNS STARTING MONDAY, MARCH 1

SAN DIEGO, Monday, February 23, 2004 – After a successful debut in 2003, SDSU Month returns next week, featuring a dynamic schedule of new events, a great slate of benefits and a partner-supported media campaign. The festivities will focus on bringing the public to campus for a first-hand introduction to the people and projects that make SDSU a powerhouse university.

“This year, our SDSU Month celebration will showcase the academic, research and community-related programs our faculty, staff, students and supporters have developed,” said Theresa Mendoza, vice president of University Advancement. “We have thousands of success stories to share; those stories will be links in our chain of events and programs.”

Nearly 80 different events, featuring the arts, academics, athletics and more, are scheduled as part of SDSU Month 2004. Notable additions to this year's celebration include the Declaration of Independence Road Trip, an entertainment and multimedia festival featuring the Declare Yourself voter registration drive and the opportunity to view an original copy of the Declaration of Independence (March 4); the opening ceremonies of the Kyoto Laureate Symposium, which celebrate top scholars from around the world who have won the prestigious Kyoto Prize (March 4); the Aztec Invitational at Petco Park, a baseball tournament inaugurating the San Diego Padres' new ballpark and raising funds for the Aztec baseball team (March 11-14); SDSU Night at the Pops with the San Diego Symphony (March 19); Explore SDSU: Open House 2004, presented by The San Diego Union-Tribune, a special university-wide public showcase with tours, performances, a KPBS kids’ area and more (March 27); and an ambitious town hall meeting on major public policy issues facing our region hosted by Envision San Diego: The Creative Community, a partnership between SDSU's International Center for Communications, KPBS and SignOnSanDiego.com (March 31).

Also new for 2004 is the SDSU Month Scholarship Challenge. Funded by individuals and businesses, the Challenge will help support our student “minds that move the world” through $2,500 scholarships granted to deserving students. People can participate in the Challenge by donating any amount directly to the Challenge, or by supporting businesses such as Rubio’s Fresh Mexican Grill, LEGOLAND California and Time Warner Cable, which are making special offers to their customers during March that donate funds to the program.

“We're attracting the highest-caliber students in this university's history," Mendoza said. "The Challenge is an investment in our community. It will help many of these future leaders of industry, science, arts and education succeed at a time when there is great need—and great opportunity—at SDSU.”
In addition, anyone in the community can take advantage of a number of SDSU Month promotions at businesses and destinations around San Diego.

Special benefit partners offering discounts or special offers include Aztec Athletics, the Aztec Recreation Center, Woodstock’s Pizza, SeaWorld San Diego, Aztec Store/SDSU Bookstore, the San Diego Symphony, the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, and Costco.

Sponsors of SDSU Month 2004 include Apple, Associated Students, Aztec Shops, ClearChannel Communications, Cox Communications, The Daily Aztec, Dell, Geary Interactive, Greenhaus, HP, Hispanic Broadcasting Corp., KPBS, The Mighty 1090, NBC 7/39, Nuffer Smith Tucker Public Relations, the San Diego Padres, the SDSU Alumni Association, the SDSU Foundation, the San Diego Trolley, The San Diego Union-Tribune, Time Warner Cable San Diego and Univision.

For more information on the entire calendar of events, the Scholarship Challenge, special promotions, or any aspect of SDSU Month, visit www.sdsumonth.com or call (619) 594-5204.

SDSU is the oldest and largest institution of higher education in the San Diego region. Founded in 1897, SDSU offers bachelor's degrees in 79 areas, master's degrees in 67 and doctorates in 14. SDSU's nearly 34,000 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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