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January 2007 NewsletterDear Spartans, The SJSU Alumni Association would like to open this month's e-news a little differently than usual...with a salute to your Spartan football team—the 2006 bowl champions! Congratulations to the football team and Coach Tomey on making this season one to remember, completing a 9-4 season and defeating New Mexico at the inaugural New Mexico Bowl in Albuquerque on Dec. 23. If you were one of the 700+ Spartan faithful in attendance at the Alumni Association's pregame tent party at University Stadium, I hope that you enjoyed the great food, fun and fellowship. If you were unable to join us in New Mexico, I hope that you will come back to campus in 2007 and join us as we celebrate San José State's 150th anniversary. Please visit the sesquicentennial Web site to learn more about the yearlong celebration. Once again, congratulations to the Spartan football squad and SJSU Athletics! Go Spartans!
Derrick P. Morgan Alumni Association News1. 150TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION BEGINSHappy New Year! 2007 starts a full year of festivities celebrating San José State University's 150th anniversary.
The evening's activities include lively music, May Day re-enactments, period dance performances, costumed participants and a delightful reception of food and beverages. Cost is $75 per person, with a portion of the proceeds going to the University Library Fund. This will be a lively event and a special celebration with many friends of San José State. We encourage you to attend this benefit and kick-off event. Those wishing to reserve now, please call 408-924-7787. For more information on SJSU's 150th anniversary celebration, visit the sesquicentennial Web site. 2. SPARTANS CAPTURE NEW MEXICO BOWL
3. ALUMNI ASSOCIATION WELCOMES NEW STAFFThe San José State University Alumni Association has appointed two new staff members. Brian Bates has been named associate executive director and Melissa Ferguson is the group's new senior administrative support coordinator. Bates came to SJSU from Washington State University, where he oversaw membership, marketing and communication programs and developed the initial alumni association presence for the university's branch campus in Vancouver, Wash. Bates has a bachelor's degree in communication with an emphasis in public relations from WSU. Ferguson came to the alumni association from within SJSU's Division of University Advancement, serving as a senior administrative support coordinator for nearly two years. A San José native and avid SJSU sports fan, she graduated from San José State with a bachelor's degree in business administration with an emphasis in management. Events & Programs4. SAN JOSE STATE ATHLETICS CELEBRATED IN SPEED CITY EXHIBITThe multicultural history of San José State athletics from 1940 to 1969, triumphs and controversies, coaches and athletes, is showcased in a special exhibition that opened January 12. History San José presents the exhibition Speed City: From Civil Rights to Black Power. The term Speed City was coined by a San José sports writer to describe the phenomenal success of San José State coaches and athletes in track and field during the 1950s. This special exhibition will be open through November 30 at the Pacific Hotel Galleries at History Park in Kelley Park, San José. The galleries are open Tuesday through Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Admission is free. Several panel discussions will be held in the community during the run of the Speed City exhibition. On Thursday, February 8, at 7 p.m., panelists and San José State track athletes of the 1960s Dr. Robert Griffin and Mr. Frank Slaton will be joined by San José State graduate and current professor of African American Studies Dr. Steven Millner to explore the theme Speed City, The Black Power Years, 1964-69 . This free event takes place at Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 5353 Almaden Expressway at Blossom Hill Road in San José. Additional discussions are scheduled for February 14,
Freedom vs. Exploitation = Revolution, and February 25, Speed City: The
Good Brothers. Visit History
San José online 5. SPARTANS IN THE DESERTLooking for fun in the warm California sun? Join fellow Spartans in the Coachella Valley for this annual alumni event. Our host committee has created another action-packed weekend of fine dining, relaxed golfing and exciting shopping. You’ll have the chance to reconnect with fellow alumni and friends of the university while enjoying the pristine beauty of the “Desert Empire.” On Friday, March 9 plan to enjoy a no-host reception and buffet dinner followed by a celebration of the university’s 150th anniversary. The program includes video clips of recent campus achievements (can you say bowl game?) and news from President Don Kassing. Jack Bunzel, past president of SJSU and Hoover Institution fellow, will present a mini-version of "From Here to Hilarity," his popular comedy "lecture" on what makes us laugh. Golfers will enjoy the chance to compete in a tournament on the beautifully manicured courses of Desert Willow Golf and Country Club. A casual lunch on the patio will follow. Join us for the sixth annual Spartans in the Desert! To receive your invitation, please e-mail us or call Liz Harvey at 408-924-3410 by February 28. 6. CSU ALUMNI RECEPTION IN SACRAMENTO
WHEN: March 19, 5:30 p.m. Spartans on the Move7. ALUMNA PLEDGES $250,000 TO COLLEGE OF BUSINESSLinda F. Morasch, chief financial officer for Ponderosa Homes, a homebuilder based in Pleasanton, has made a $250,000 pledge to San José State University's College of Business. The pledge will provide grants to be awarded annually to two faculty members who excel in teaching. SJSU expects to make the first grants in spring 2006. Morasch is an SJSU alumna who majored in accounting. Spartan Spotlight8. SEEKING STUDENTS INVOLVED IN 1976 "BICENTENNIAL" MURALThis mural, also entitled Freedom vs. Exploitation = Revolution was created by about sixty-one San José State students in Bob Freimark's art classes during Fall 1975, Spring 1976, and Fall 1976. It was dedicated at the Student Union on February 14, 1977. If you are one of those students or a member of faculty or staff who remembers events surrounding the mural, please contact History San José at 408-918-1050. The mural will be part of a special exhibition, Speed City: From Civil Rights to Black Power. Campus News9. SJSU GROUP LAUNCHES NATIONAL KATRINA RELIEF EFFORT
10. MINETA RECEIVES PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOMNorman Mineta, namesake for SJSU's Mineta Transportation Institute, will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civil honor. Mineta—a former U.S. Secretary of Transportation, congressman, and San José mayor—received the award at the White House in December. Other recipients included Nobel laureate and scientist Joshua Lederberg; musician B.B. King; writer and commentator William Safire; former Negro Leagues baseball great John "Buck" O'Neil; literacy advocate Ruth Johnson Colvin; historians Paul Johnson and David McCullough; former gulag prisoner Natan Sharansky; and the president of Xavier University in Louisiana, Norman Francis. Spartan Sports11. SEVEN SPARTANS PARTICIPATE IN ALL-STAR CLASSIC
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The inaugural event will be a Gala Reception and Exhibit Opening in King Library, on Friday, January 26, from 6 to 9 p.m. The exhibit, Where Tradition Meets
Tomorrow, will trace the university's rich history from the year of its founding in
1857. On display will be many interesting, and never-before-displayed artifacts from the 1850s to today—perhaps even a recent pottery item—won by one of our talented athletic teams. 
James Jones and Matt Castelo were named the game's offensive and defensive
"Most Valuable Players" as San José State University claimed the inaugural New Mexico Bowl with a 20-12 victory over the University of New Mexico on Saturday,
December 23. For the Spartans (9-4), the win provided a final highlight in a season in which they won more games than they had in the three previous seasons combined. One big pass play by Tafralis and one costly fumble by New Mexico—both in the first half—set the tone for the Spartans' first bowl win outside of California. 
or call 408-918-1050 for more information about the exhibit and programs. 
We cordially invite you to join alumni from other CSU campuses at the CSU Alumni Reception. It is a great opportunity to show your support for San José State University in the state capitol! 
SJSU professor Scott Myers-Lipton and 15 students are
leading an ambitious effort to bring additional federal aid to Hurricane Katrina
victims. Working with nearly 100 students from 17 universities nationwide and
around a dozen Gulf Coast communities, "Louisiana Winter" has forged ties with
elected officials and many organizations, including the National Association for
the Advancement of Colored People and the Roosevelt Institution. The SJSU effort
aims to draw attention to the group's principal proposal, a new program they
call the Gulf Coast Civic Works Project. The project would use a public/private
partnership to hire 100,000 Gulf Coast residents to assist with the rebuilding
process. 
San José State University football was well represented at the first Inta-Juice North-South All-Star Classic, Saturday, January 13. Head coach Dick Tomey and assistant coach Keith Burns served as two-thirds of the North team coaching staff. Wide receivers James Jones and John Broussard, offensive lineman Matt Cantu, defensive lineman Freddy McCutcheon and defensive back Christopher Vedder were members of the North squad. 
