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photo: fountain at Event Center Box Office

 

Award Recipients


The College of Applied Sciences and Arts is very proud of the many accomplishments of its faculty, students, and alumni. In recognition of their accomplishments, each year awards are presented by the Dean in these categories:


2005 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients

Marilou Christina

  • B.S., Gerontology, 1993
  • Present position: Director of Senior Programs and the Older Adult Services Division, Catholic Charities, Santa Clara County

Marilou Christina completed her B.A. in History at Santa Clara University before coming to study Health Science/Gerontology. Working tirelessly to enhance the quality of life for older adults in Silicon Valley, she has a budget of 3.8 million dollars, and administers ten programs for older adults and caregivers. These programs include nutrition sites, adult day care centers, and multipurpose senior centers. She serves on a multitude of committees and organizations, including Vice Chair of the San José Senior Citizens Commission, the O’Connor Hospital Applied Ethics Steering Committee, and the Senior Nutrition Program Strategic Planning Council.


Kathleen Colman

  • B.S., Hospitality Management, 2001
  • Present position: Event Coordinator, Catering Sales Department, Westin New York at Times Square

One of the top graduates from SJSU’s Department of Hospitality Management, Kathleen Colman has been recognized for her abilities and quickly moved up the corporate hierarchy. Working as a Concierge and Front Desk Agent at Seascape Resort while still in school, she was promoted to Front Office Operations Assistant upon graduation. Having learned catering, banquets and sales, she moved to New York City to help open the newest hotel in New York, The Weston New York, at Times Square. Starting as the Assistant to the Director of Rooms and the Director of Food and Beverages, she received the “Associate of the Quarter” award in 2003, and then in mid-2004 she was promoted to her present position.


Tom Stienstra

  • B.S., Journalism, 1976
  • Present position: Outdoor Editor, San Francisco Chronicle

Tom Stienstra originally came to San José State University “because all of his newspaper heroes had graduated from the journalism program”, and he is himself now a role model for others. Outdoor Editor for the San Francisco Chronicle, whose column is distributed to 600 newspapers, Tom has authored ten outdoor guide books, such as California Hiking and Oregon Camping. He has won roughly 100 writing awards and has twice won the “National Outdoor Writer of the Year” award given by the Outdoor Writers Association of America and four times been named the “California Writer of the Year” by the Outdoor Writers Association of California. Tom has made it his life’s work to explore and write about hiking, boating, camping, and fishing opportunities in the West.


Jess B. Guy

  • B.A., Administration of Justice, 1970
  • M.S., Criminal Justice, 1989
  • Present position: Deputy Alternate Public Defender, Santa Clara County

After receiving both his B.A. and M.S. degrees from SJSU, Jess Guy went on to receive his J.D. degree in 1998 from Lincoln Law School of San Jose, and was admitted to the California Bar in 1998. He served in the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) from 1970 until 1998 where he fulfilled many positions, including serving as a Special Agent investigating violations of federal and state firearms, explosives, and arson law violations. As Resident Agent in Charge in San Jose, he supervised field agents conducting federal criminal investigations in Santa Clara and neighboring counties, and as an ATF Team Leader, he supervised training and field operations of federal SWAT Teams in high risk federal operations.


St. Saffold

  • B.S., Physical Education, 1967
  • Present position: Retired

At San Jose State University, St. Saffold earned a B.S. in Physical Education and an M.A. in Counseling Education. While an undergraduate at SJSU, he played football and basketball. After graduation, he was drafted by the National Football League 49’ers and played with the Cincinnati Bengals. Upon returning to SJSU, St. Saffold served as campus Ombudsperson, Associate Dean of Student Services, Acting Vice President for Student Affairs, and Associate Vice President for Campus Life. Throughout his more than 40 years of service to the University community, St. has always shown himself to be a compassionate and dedicated professional working for the betterment of the students, faculty, and staff.


Lori Lindberg

  • MLS, Library and Information Science, 2000
  • Present position: Doctoral Student, UCLA

Described as “a role model of what a graduate of SJSU can become,” Lori Lindberg is currently teaching part-time in the LIS graduate program at SJSU while she completes her Ph.D at UCLA. After finishing her MLS at SJSU, Lori immediately found employment as an Assistant Archivist in the Bank of America Corporate Archives, and then became the Archivist at the Oakland Museum of California. Specializing in archives, electronic records, and metadata, she taught the first online Encoded Archival Description course in the United States for SJSU’s School of Library and Information Science.


Holly E. Weber

  • M.S., Nutritional Science, 1993
  • Present position: Public Health Nutritionist, Santa Clara County, Public Health Department

Described as an incredible role model, Holly Weber has worked on development of multicultural community education programs and materials; policy development and implementation; media relations; coalition development; and budget and contract management as Project Coordinator with Project LEAN, a statewide nutrition education program. She has held leadership positions at both local and state levels. Serving as a preceptor and student project advisor for SJSU nutrition students, her spirit of caring has enriched the development of the students in the Department of Nutrition and Food Science.


Debra Thaler-Demers

  • B.S., Nursing, 1991
  • Present position: Clinical Staff Nurse and Chemotherapy Educator, Peterson Cancer Treatment Center, Stanford University

The founder and President of Cancer ACCESS (Advocacy, Counseling, Clinical Education and Survivorship Skills), Debra Thaler-Demers is also a certified oncology nurse, a pain resource nurse, and a specialist in end-of-life care. She has conducted workshops, written journal articles, and book chapters on intimacy and sexual issues for cancer survivors, as well as helped produce the Cancer Survival Toolbox, a 6-CD resource program for patients. Recipient of the American Cancer Society’s “Celebration of Life” award and the U.S. Army’s “Spirit of Nursing” award, she also provided testimony to the President’s Cancer Panel in 2003, as well as providing information to Senators Feinstein and Boxer.


Diane Foti

  • B.S., Occupational Therapy, 1978
  • M.S., Occupational Therapy, 1988
  • Present position: Clinical Specialist in Durable Equipment, Kaiser East Bay Service Area

A former faculty member of the Occupational Therapy Department, Diane Foti has distinguished herself in the field as a clinician, educator and scholar, developing innovative clinical and educational programs. She has written book chapters, published journal articles, and presented on topics ranging from interventions for those with dementia, depression and the elderly, and physical dysfunction. She developed a program to have home health aides provide adjunct rehabilitation services, and developed a role for occupational therapy on a wound care team. Her tireless work has been recognized by the Veterans Administration Medical Center which awarded her a superior performance award three years in a row. Diane is an exemplar of excellence and innovation.


Christopher Beth

  • B.S., Recreation and Leisure Studies, 1991
  • Present position: Superintendent of Programs, Redwood City, Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services

Christopher Beth has also attained a masters in Public Administration at Cal State Hayward in 1997. As part of his work in the leisure profession, he has had direct involvement in the development of a regional planning initiative which positions park and recreation departments in the campaign to counteract the effects of obesity and inactivity. In recognition of his leadership, he has been honored with the California Park and Recreation Society’s (CPRS), Professional Citation Award (1998), Professional Achievement Award (1999), and the CPRS President Award (2003). Chris has been a State Board member and President of CPRS, and exemplifies the enthusiasm and positive can-do spirit of the committed recreational professional.


2005 Outstanding Faculty Award Recipients

 

2005 Outstanding Professor Award Recipient

Dr. Craig Cisar, Professor of Kinesiology

, has taught departmental courses including activity, GE, undergraduate and graduate classes. His classroom passion and enthusiasm are shown by his exemplary SOTE’s and peer evaluations. As Departmental Advising manager, he met with all new undergraduate student majors for orientation, and as Graduate Coordinator, he directs curriculum and policy development. He has chaired nearly 20 masters’ theses, helped direct the Exercise Physiology Laboratory and developed a new strength and conditioning cognate. He chaired the Certification Commission of the National Strength and Conditioning Association, and served 12 years as chair of SJSU’s Human Subjects – Institutional Review Board. Dr. Cisar is clearly one of SJSU’s outstanding professors.

 


2005 Dean's Scholar Award Recipient

Dr. Dennis Wilcox, Professor and Director, School of Journalism and Mass Communications

, is nationally and internationally recognized as a leader in Public Relations and Marketing. Author of six book chapters and six textbooks, two of his textbooks have influenced thousands of college students. In addition to serving on the editorial boards of three different journals, Dennis has been recognized by PRWeek as one of the ten leading public relations educators in the USA, and he has been named by the Public Relations Society of America as “national educator” of the year. He has presented papers at numerous international conferences and served as visiting professor at universities in South Africa, Thailand, and Australia. Dennis has the distinction of being named Fulbright lecturer-scholar.

 


2005 Distinguished Service Award Recipient

Dr. Nancy Megginson, Professor of Kinesiology

, has provided exceptional service at the department, college and University levels. As head of the adapted physical activity and disability sport emphasis, she has co-sponsored over 50 local, regional or national training/competitions for various disability sport organizations. She has influenced professional practice through over 35 presentations. Over a three-year period, Dr. Megginson got the Adapted Physical Education program/curriculum accredited. Within the University, she has served on department and college RTP committees, the Research and Faculty Development Committee and chaired the Provost’s Accommodations Review Board. Active with the Disability Resource Center, Dr. Megginson is an excellent role model.

 


2005 Outstanding Lecturer Award Recipient

Dr. Tina Foley, Lecturer in Health Science

, is described as an “extraordinary colleague, superb instructor, warm and generous mentor, engaging advisor, and stellar representative of our college.” As a part-time member of the Heath Science Department, she has created new courses, has SOTE’s at the top of the scale, and has implemented the department’s strategic curriculum initiatives. Dr. Foley is the Department’s Undergraduate Program Director, and the Undergraduate Program Advisor. In addition, she serves as the Advisor to the Health Science Undergraduate Student Association, and departmental GE Coordinator and part-time Instructor Coordinator. Dr. Tina Foley is truly a motivated and essential member of her department.

 


2005 Dean's Undergraduate Scholar Award Recipients

The College of Applied Sciences and Arts provided six undergraduate student scholarships at the Dean's Awards Reception, May 2nd, 2005, "Salute to the Stars". The college sets the following minimum scholastic standards: 3.0 GPA at SJSU and 3.0 overall GPA in the major. The Student Affairs Committee reviews and forwards candidate's names to the Dean for his selection of the award recipients, who represent outstanding accomplishments of scholarship and service.

Dorothy Thomas - Justice Studies

Dorothy Thomas is a member of Phi Kappa Phi and Alpha Phi Sigma National Criminal Justice Honor Society, where she volunteered at Second Harvest Food Bank, KTEH and the Justice Studies booth during Rush Week. Her short term goal is to receive a Bachelor’s Degree in Justice Studies; her long-term goal is to become a probation officer.

Davor Vasiljevic - Kinesiology

Davor Vasiljevic is involved with the SJSU Judo Team and is working towards making the US Olympic Team. He volunteers at fundraisers, tournaments and works with a new generation of judo players. His short-term goal is to finish school with honors. Long-term he would like to become a doctor and coach in a judo program for youngsters.

Jacklin Song - Nursing

Jacklin Song has many service activities, including the Hispanic Nursing Student Organization and Student Nurses of African Descent Association. Her short-term goal is to graduate from the Nursing program in spring 2006 and in the long-term to engage in community nursing and to work in hospitals with underserved populations.

Corinna Zaglmayr - Nurtrition and Food Science

Corinna Zaglmayr is a member of the Food Science and Nutrition Club and Nutrition Education Action Team which conducts presentations on campus and in the community. She also volunteers as a driver for Meals on Wheels. She would like to pass the Registered Dietitian exam and eventually become a Nutrition Education Specialist.

Alice Tsai - Occupational Therapy

Alice Tsai has volunteered in many organizations and activities, including Coordinator of the Student Interns to the President and was the 2004 Baron Leadership Award winner and Resident Advisor of the Year. Right now she’s focusing on her summer internship and in the longer-term she would like to get a doctorate degree in occupational therapy.

Allison Adams - Recreation and Leisure Studies

Allison Adams is presently the SJSU Women’s Swim Team Captain and serves on the Student Athlete Advisory Committee. She received the WAC all academic award for 2004. She would like to graduate with a degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies and to travel to struggling countries to help implement eco-tourism.

 


Did you know

College of Applied Science & Arts
One Washington Square
San José, CA 95192-0049
(408) 924-2900
Fax: (408) 924-2901
Located in MacQuarrie Hall

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