Baseball Legends Dave Winfield, Buck O'Neil Highlight
2nd Annual President's Diversity Scholarship Gala
March 3

Contact: Jason Foster
SDSU Marketing & Communications
Tel: (619) 594-2585, Cell: (619) 992-0772
foster@mail.sdsu.edu

SAN DIEGO – (Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2006) – Major League Baseball Hall of Fame member Dave Winfield will be the keynote speaker at San Diego State University’s second annual President’s Diversity Scholarship Gala on Friday, March 3.

The theme of this year’s gala is “Diversity Makes Heroes of Us All.” It will also feature a presentation of a Diversity Hero award to John Jordan “Buck” O’Neil, a legendary Negro League player and manager who also became the first African-American coach hired by a Major League team (by the Chicago Cubs in 1962).

“With Dave and Buck present, we will have an outstanding program that will send a powerful and inspirational message to our scholarship recipients and the community,” said Cheryl Fisher, director of the Office of Diversity and Equity at SDSU.

Winfield, who began his Major League career with the San Diego Padres (and for which he now serves as a vice president and senior adviser), played 22 years, was a 12-time All-Star and is one of only seven players in the history of baseball with more than 3,000 hits and more than 450 home runs. He also was one of the first professional athletes to create a charitable foundation. Winfield’s other accomplishments include the creation of a community action campaign to fight substance abuse, a track record as a successful entrepreneur and status as one of the most respected motivational speakers in the country.

“This will be a fantastic event that supports an important cause,” said Robert McNeely, chairman and CEO for the Union Bank of California Foundation. McNeely returns as co-chair of this year’s President’s Diversity Scholarship Gala along with San Diego County Treasurer/Tax Collector Dan McAllister. “It’s important that we keep as many bright young minds in San Diego as possible and give them a chance to flourish through access to education.”

The gala supports the President’s Diversity Scholarship program, which began last year and annually gives 10 local, high-achieving, low-income high school seniors the financial support they need to cover virtually all student fees necessary while earning a bachelor’s degree from SDSU. The gala will also recognize this year’s group of scholarship winners, who will enter SDSU as freshmen this fall.

The President’s Diversity Scholarship is open to any eligible student regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability or national origin. It provides $3,500 annually for up to four years. The scholarship recipients receive other benefits, including an academic adviser, internship opportunities, fee waivers for student orientation activities, and an annual meeting with SDSU President Stephen L. Weber.

The gala, which will be emceed by SDSU alumnus Artie Ojeda of KNSD-TV Channel 7/39, takes place at the San Diego Convention Center. Tables of 10 are $1,500 and individual tickets are $150.

For more information about the gala or the President’s Diversity Scholarship program, call (619) 594-6464 or visit www.sdsu.edu/diversityscholarship.

SDSU is the oldest and largest institution of higher education in the San Diego region. Founded in 1897, SDSU offers bachelor’s degrees in 81 areas, master’s degrees in 72 and doctorates in 16. SDSU’s nearly 33,000 students participate in academic curricula distinguished by direct faculty contact and an increasingly international emphasis that prepares them for a global future. For more information, visit www.sdsu.edu.

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