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Alumnus Tony Kovaleski wins duPont-Columbia Award

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010

Award-winning investigative journalist Tony Kovaleski is part of KGMH's Call7 Investigative Team (image courtesy www.thedenverchannel.com)

Tony Kovaleski, ‘84 Journalism, has been recognized with the prestigious Alfred I. duPont- Columbia University Award for the KGMH Call7 Investigation “33 Minutes to 34 Right.” The duPont is the equivalent to the Pulitzer Prize and is regarded as the most prestigious prize in broadcast news.

On Dec. 20, 2008 at Denver International Airport, Continental Flight 1404 veered off the runway into a 40-foot-deep-ravine. Call7 Investigators detected a slow response time by Denver Health Medical Center ambulances, sparking a three month investigation. The investigators exposed major flaws in the emergency response in a thirty minute news special “33 Minutes to 34 Right” broadcast March 14, 2009.

“When 115 people crashed at Denver’s airport that December night in 2008 it was fair for them to expect the best emergency response possible,” said Kovaleski. “…I am proud to work for a television station and with a group of committed journalists who together did everything possible to make sure the emergency response mistakes that followed the crash of Continental Flight 1404 will never happen again in Denver.”

Kovaleski and his KGMH colleagues Tom Burke, Arthur Kane and Jason Foster, accepted the award Jan. 21 at Columbia University in New York City. “We are tremendously honored to receive the duPont Columbia Award and I am even more satisfied knowing the results of our investigation produced a dedicated ‘on-site’ ambulance at DIA, an ambulance that paramedics tell us has saved lives” said Kovaleski.

As a result of the program “33 Minutes to 34 Right”, the country’s fourth busiest airport, Denver International, has put an on-site ambulance response team into operation and Denver Health has implemented a ‘Red Alert’ policy.

See the story “33 minutes to 34 Right” online at www.denverchannel.com.

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Martin Luther King Celebrations at SJSU

Thursday, January 14th, 2010

080121-mlk-vmed-6awidec

A Commitment to Living the Dream – 2010 January 14, Kick-off: 81st Birthday Celebration Honoring the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

All events listed below will take place at the Martin Luther King. Jr. Library in downtown San Jose. MLK Library is a joint project managed by both the City of San Jose and San Jose State University.

Additional Activities around MLK will also take place during African American History Month, Wednesday, February 3 and Saturday, February 6. Get full details on all events by calling 408.808.2183 or going on the internet at http://www.sjlibrary.org/kingceleb.htm

EVENTS:
12:30pm – 1:00pm
Libation Ceremony
Foruth Street Lobby, Ground Floor

1:05pm – 2:oopm
Happy Birthday Dr. King – Cake Ceremony
1) Welcome
Jane Light, Director, San Jose Public Library
Mary Nino, Associate Dean, SJSU
2) Remarks
Jon Whitmore, SJSU President
Judy Chico, Vice-Mayor, City of San Jose (SJSU alumna)
3) Letter from Congressman Honda
Chris Schwarz – Congressional Aide
4) Song – “Amazing Grace”
Jasmin Howard
5) Community Reflections
Reverend Barry Houston, Pat Plant, Ronald William, Sharat Lin, Adriana Garcia, Grant Perryman
6) “Happy Birthday Dr. King”
Johnny Reason
7) Refreshments
Bijan Bakery
Friends of the King Library
Peet’s Coffee and Tea

3:30pm – 4:00pm
Story Time in Honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Children’s Room, Ground Floor

4:00pm – 5:00pm
Studio 150: Friendship Bracelets
Children’s Room, Ground Floor

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SJSU Alumni Weekend in Southern California

Friday, June 19th, 2009

socal

The San Jose State University Alumni Association will be visiting Southern California for a showcase weekend of Spartan pride! We hope to connect as many of our 7,000 alumni in the San Diego/Los Angeles area through a fun-filled series of events.

Thursday, September 3, 2009, San Diego:

The Alumni Association invites you to attend an evening reception at the Museum of Photographic Arts. This is a great opportunity to re-connect with your alma mater and mingle with other alumni who reside in the San Diego area. $10 per person, with advance registration requested.

Location: Museum of Photographic Arts

1649 El Prado, San Diego, CA

Saturday, September 5, 2009, Los Angeles:

SJSU Alumni Association Pregame Party and SJSU vs. USC Football game: Bring you friends and family to the official SJSU Pre-Game Party before the Spartans take on the 2009 Rose Bowl champions, USC. This is a great way to show your school spirit and meet fellow Spartans. Light food and beverages provided by the Alumni Association with beer and wine available for purchase. There is no cost to attend the Pre-Game Party, however they are supported by contributions from alumni and friends. A donation of $5 or more per person is encouraged.

Pre-Game Party at 10 a.m.

Kickoff at 12:30 p.m.

Expo Park, Ahmanson Senior Center, 3990 Menlo Ave, Los Angeles

Purchase game tickets

More about Expo Park and Parking

Advanced registration is requested!

Sunday, September 6, 2009, Los Angeles:

CSU Day at Dodger Stadium: Cap off the weekend with fellow CSU alums and watch the LA Dodgers take on the San Diego Padres. No matter which team you are cheering for, it is sure to be a good time! Tickets MUST be purchased by Wednesday, August 26 and can be picked up at Will Call on the day of the game. Seating is in the blue level reserve section.

Location: Dodger Stadium

1000 Elysian Park Ave, Los Angeles, CA

Purchase discounted tickets

Posted in Alumni Association, Campus News, Events, Guest Lecture, SJSU in the Media, Spartans on the Move, Student Success | Comments Off

Summer edition of Washington Square

Tuesday, June 9th, 2009

Executive Director’s Note:
The summer edition of Washington Square Magazine is hitting mailboxes as we speak. This exciting issue was Sylvia Light’s last edition. Sylvia, long time Washington Square editor, retired after 13 glorious years at SJSU. You will be able to read Ms. Light’s parting reflections about our alma mater on page 2.

In this issue
West Coast World Martial Arts co-founder Ernie Reyes believes studying martial arts can change a person’s life. In his studios, students of all ages, walks of life and education levels learn to set goals and work toward them, developing skills that can be applied to all aspects of life. What they get, says Reyes, is the ultimate formula for success.

Alumnus Tony Jackson’s football and military career are honored by a wonderful article by Dave Newhouse on pages 18-21; while alumna Laura Del Rosso’s journalism and travel writing is profiled onpages 22-24.

Also highlighted is the Alumni Association’s Beach Blanket Babylon event that raised over $52,000 for student scholarships in March. Over 1,200 alumni and friends sold-out the California Theatre to watch the late Steve Silver’s (SJSU alumnus) zany production take the stage with custom songs for SJSU. Check out the issue online!

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SJSU Alums on the ballot for Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame

Wednesday, May 6th, 2009

Two San Jose State grads with voices familiar to bay area radio listeners are among the nominees for the Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame. Congratulations Bob Melrose, ‘73 Journalism, and Hal Ramey, ‘69 Radio/TV/Film, on their nomination.

Both Melrose and Ramey are long-time voices on KCBS. Ramey is an afternoon anchor and sports director while Melrose can frequently be found reporting the news of the day from the Hall of Justice. Listeners are able to cast ballots for the Hall of Fame. Cast a ballot for our fellow Spartans!

Learn more about the Bay Area Radio Museum.

Learn more about the Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame and Museum

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Pisano Named College of Social Sciences 2009 Outstanding Alumnus

Thursday, April 30th, 2009

SJSU alumnus Bob Pisano

Bob Pisano Named College of Social Sciences 2009 Outstanding Alumnus

The College of Social Sciences has announced that A. Robert Pisano ‘65 will be the recipient of its 2009 Outstanding Alumnus Award. The award, the highest honor given to an alumnus or alumna of the College, recognizes outstanding professional attainment, civic engagement and contributions to the welfare of the College of Social Sciences and San Jose State University. Bob will receive the award at the College’s annual faculty and staff meeting on August 21, 2009.

Bob is president and chief operating officer of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) and was previously national executive director and chief executive officer of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG). Prior to this, he was vice chairman of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM). Before joining MGM he served as executive vice president and general counsel of Paramount Pictures and was a partner in the Los Angeles-based law firm of O’Melveny & Myers. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, the Pacific Council on International Policy and the Entertainment Council, and he serves on the boards of several other organizations.

Bob received his B.A. in Public Administration from San Jose State and a law degree from University of California, Berkeley. While at San Jose State, he served as president of the Associated Students and was a member of Theta Chi fraternity. In February 2009, Bob returned to campus to talk to students as part of the Alumni Association’s Alumni Legends Speaker Series.

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SJSU alumnus Dan Ehrlich publishes new fiction book

Monday, April 27th, 2009

Book by SJSU alumnus Dan Ehrlich

Through, “Across A Crowded Room,” Ehrlich relates, in a mainly light hearted, often comic style, the life awaiting elderly single men. Through a series of somewhat humorous vignettes and wishful fantasies mixed with occasional facts from official case studies, the author takes the reader on a journey from despair to hope in a globetrotting expedition to find the perfect woman. In other words, one who could put up with him.

As he says, “Why couldn’t this have happened when I was 30?” In the process the author claims to have discovered what Sigmund Freud never could: What women want.

This unusual story, told openly and honestly, with an economical use of prose and laced with acerbic humour, will appeal to mature men and women.

“Across A Crowded Room” is available in paperback from Amazon.com and Barnes&Noble.com. or as an e-book from Virtual Bookworm.com.

Ehrlich, now 67, a Los Angeles native and a graduate of San Jose State University, has had a four decade-long journalistic career including several years as the London correspondent for the San Francisco Examiner and New York Daily News, as well as having his own national current affairs show on British radio. In addition, for more than 10 years he was a regular guest current affairs commentator for the BBC and Sky TV News.

Today, Ehrlich divides his time between his boat in Seattle and his children in London.

E-Mail: danew13@yahoo.com for e-book or hard copy.

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SJSU Alumna Ann Ranford elected Glendale Community College Board of Trustee

Friday, April 24th, 2009

SJSU alumna Ann Ransford (in red), elected to Glendale Community College Board of Trustees (Photo courtesy of the Glendale News Press)

SJSU Alumna Ann Ranford elected Glendale Community College Board of Trustee

20 year Glendale Community College veteran and SJSU alumna Ann Ranford was elected to their Board of Trustees. Ranford, the former Exeuctive Director for GCC’s Foundation received the most votes in the April 7 election. During her tenure as Executive Director, Ransford transformed the GCC Foundation’s asset portfolio from $75,000 to over $9 million dollars.

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The Soloist: An SJSU Alumni connection

Thursday, April 23rd, 2009

Poster of The Soloist, staring Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey, Jr.

“The Soloist” opens at theatres nationwide this week, telling the story of Los Angeles Times columnist Steve Lopez and his friendship with street musician Nathaniel Ayers. What most movie-goers won’t know is that Steve Lopez is a San Jose State alumnus. His series of 2005 columns, and book profiling Ayers by the same title, was adapted for the film which stars Robert Downey, Jr. as Lopez and Jamie Foxx as Ayers.

Lopez attended SJSU in the mid-70s, and told the Spartan Daily, “I got a great education at San Jose State, and I’ll never forget the influence of my teachers and advisers on the Spartan Daily.” His friendship with Ayers has inspired Lopez to be an advocate for “supportive housing” a community-based way to help break the cycle of homelessness.

Read the full story from the Spartan Daily.
Learn more about the movie and see the trailer.

Tags: Steve Lopez, The Soloist
Posted in Prominent Alumni, Spartans on the Move | 1 Comment »

SJSU alumnus and DC Superior Court judge off to Iraq

Friday, April 17th, 2009

SJSU alumnus and D.C. Superior Court Judge, Robert R. Rigsby (By Dominic Bracco Ii For The Washington Post)

SJSU alumnus and D.C. Superior Court Judge Robert R. Rigsby will be the first sitting judge to serve in a war zone. Judge Rigsby will be hearing cases involving U.S. soldiers during his six month tour of duty. While stationed in Kuwait, Rigsby will be traveling back and forth to Iraq.

A 28 year Army vet, judge Rigsby was commissioned second lieutenant in 1981 while attending San Jose State University. After attending law school, Rigsby served in active duty as a judge advocate general’s officer (JAG) and was promoted to colonel in 2008.

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