Sixth Annual SDSU Month Celebrates
America’s No. 1 Small Research University

SDSU Month events include the annual Explore SDSU: Open House 2008 on Saturday, March 15

Contact:
Gina Speciale
Media Relations Specialist
San Diego State University
speciale@mail.sdsu.edu


SAN DIEGO (Tuesday, February 19, 2008) — During the sixth annual SDSU Month this March, San Diego State University will celebrate the university’s faculty, staff and students who are discovering ways to change lives and improve our world.

Today, the inspired minds of SDSU have turned Montezuma Mesa into a hot bed for research, with more than 1,000 active research projects.  In fact, SDSU is ranked as America’s #1 research university among those with 14 or fewer Ph.D. programs, for the second year in a row. Everyday SDSU faculty, staff and students are working to solve such pressing regional issues as water quality, urban education and Latino health. 

SDSU Month includes 31 days of artistic, academic and athletic events –over 80 events in all – including:

Explore SDSU: Open House 2008, March 15: Presented by Cox Communications and the San Diego Union-Tribune, Explore SDSU is a free open-house event for alumni, the community, current and newly admitted students.

SDSU Month Kick-off, March 1: See high-flying, above-the-rim action as the Aztec men’s basketball team tips off SDSU Month against conference rival Colorado State University in Cox Arena.  It’s the last chance to catch the Aztecs play at home this season. 

Uncovering Our Past, March 7: Three years ago, two WPA-era murals painted by SDSU students in the 1930s, were found hidden behind ceiling tiles in Hardy Tower.  Learn the significance of the paintings and how they were discovered, and experience the murals up close in a lecture by SDSU Anthropology Professor Seth Mallios, Ph.D.

Student Research Symposium, February 29-March 1:  Come find out why SDSU was ranked number one small research university in the nation.  The Student Research Symposium is a two-day event that recognizes the outstanding scholarly accomplishments of SDSU students.  The symposium provides a public forum for SDSU students to present their research, scholarship and creative activities. 

San Diegans are also invited to take advantage of the many special offers from local businesses and organizations like discounts on SDSU clothing, movie tickets and athletic events.

For the sixth year in a row, Rubio’s Fresh Mexican Grill has supported SDSU Month by donating $1 from each Rubio’s Aztec Plate purchased during March.  Since SDSU Month began, Rubio’s has donated more than $50,000 to the SDSU Month Scholarship Fund which awards high-achieving students with $2,500 scholarships each year.

"As an SDSU alum, I am very proud that Rubio’s is able to support future generations of Aztecs," said Ralph Rubio ’78, co-founder and chairman of Rubio’s Fresh Mexican Grill.

More information on SDSU Month 2008, including events, sponsors and special offers is available at www.sdsumonth.com.  The community is also invited to enter the STA Travel Sweepstakes online to win a trip for two to New Zealand courtesy of STA Travel.  The deadline to register for the sweepstakes is March 31.

SDSU Month sponsors include Associated Students, Aztec Shops, Clear Channel Radio, Cox Communications, The Daily Aztec, KPBS, NBC 7/39, Rubio’s Fresh Mexican Grill, Pepsi, The San Diego Union-Tribune, the SDSU Research Foundation, STA Travel and Univision Radio.

San Diego State University is the oldest and largest higher education institution in the San Diego region. Since it was founded in 1897, the university has grown to offer bachelor’s degrees in 81 areas, master’s degrees in 74 areas and doctorates in 16 areas. SDSU’s approximately 36,000 students participate in an academic curriculum distinguished by direct contact with faculty and an increasing international emphasis that prepares them for a global future. For more information, visit www.sdsu.edu.

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