May 15 Concert to Benefit San Diego State
International Student Village

World-Renowned Musicians to Perform May 15, Guest of Honor Ravi Shankar to Receive Award

Contact: Gina Speciale
SDSU Marketing & Communications
Tel: (619) 594-4563 office; (619) 813-3581 cell
speciale@mail.sdsu.edu

SAN DIEGO – (Wednesday, April 26, 2006) – Legendary sitarist and composer Ravi Shankar will be the guest of honor at a concert by world-renowned Indian virtuosos that will kick off a fund-raising campaign for San Diego State University’s new International Student Village.

The Gurukulam Benefit Concert and Silent Auction will take place at 6 p.m. Monday, May 15, at The Neurosciences Institute in La Jolla.

For more than 60 years, Shankar has been one of India’s most esteemed artists, bridging eastern and western culture. Beatles member George Harrison has described Shankar as “the godfather of world music.” As part of the tribute, Shankar will be named SDSU’s “Founding Ambassador for Global Amity” in recognition of a lifetime of contributions to the world’s heritage.

The benefit concert will include performances by legendary violinist T.N. Krishnan, accompanied by his son Sriram Krishnan; Vellore Ramabhadran playing the mridangam, a south Indian drum; Vinod Venkataraman on the konnakol, a different type of precussion instrument; and a special performance by Krishnan’s protege and Venkataraman’s daughter, 13-year-old Aishu. Both Krishnan and Shankar will also be installed as honorary members of Phi Beta Delta, the world’s premier international honor society.

Ron Moffatt, Director of the International Student Center, said the new village will accommodate the growing demand for international exchange at SDSU. Currently more than 1,200 SDSU students study abroad and more than 1,400 international students come to SDSU annually.

“When the Center opened in 1993, a staff of four served 500 students,” Moffatt said. “Today 11 staff members, 20 student assistants and more than 120 volunteers serve 2,600 students.”

To accommodate this growth, the center plans to add three new structures to its existing facility on the west side of the SDSU campus.

“The new village will help us bring students together so that perspectives are exchanged in pursuit of understanding, where borders become invisible, nations become people, common ground is nurtured, friendships flourish and goodwill prevails,” Moffatt said.

General admission starts at $25. Premier seating is $100 per person, including a $75 tax-deductible donation; and a package including an exclusive VIP reception with the musicians is $250, including a $175 tax-deductible donation. Those interested in purchasing tickets should visit www.sdsu.edu/isc/village or call (619) 594-1982.

SDSU’s International Student Center (ISC) supports students coming from, or going to, all parts of the world. The ISC advances San Diego State University as a global learning community by serving as a crossroads for students from around the world seeking educational opportunities at SDSU, and for SDSU students seeking educational opportunities in other countries. The ISC offers a full range of programs and services to foster student success, global perspectives, intercultural awareness and international goodwill.

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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