I remember when, in the 1970s, my grandfather wrote out a list for us of all the major changes he had seen in his lifetime, from the advent of the automobile and indoor plumbing to men landing on the moon. Not only were we struck by how many things had changed, but how the pace of change seemed to increase exponentially over time.
I was reminded of that list and the ramped-up pace of change when we decided to do a story for this issue on the proliferation of social media on the web. Have a look at what our writer Mansi Bhatia discovered as she entered that pulsating, mercurial world.
Here at the university, there is significant change as well, as we welcome a new president, Jon Whitmore. He comes to us from Texas Tech University, where he was president for five years. He is excited about the great potential he sees at San José State, located as he says, " in a major city in Silicon Valley, in a growing state along the Pacific Rim." In our winter issue, we'll bring you an interview with the president by writer Jody Ulate.
You'll find the sign of another change at the university on the back of this magazine. As part of a campus-wide marketing initiative, San José State has published a comprehensive set of style guidelines for publications. An update of the university logo was included in this initiative. The goal is to bring greater uniformity and consistency to the large family of publications that go out to our alumni and friends each year. If you're interested in learning more, read the guidelines.
You may notice that in this issue we have moved our Heritage page to the inside back cover, making more room for the good letters we receive from you. Our "What is . . . ?" feature will now be found in our online version of the magazine. Our query this issue -- What is evil?
Finally, the change that is hardest to bear -- the university lost two wonderfully supportive friends in the last months. Hal Riddle, '48 Industrial Arts, Alumni Association board member and a past president of AA, died in April. Hal met his future wife Loretta Messa at SJSU while they both pursued teaching credentials. Hal taught for 50 years in Palo Alto high schools, and was highly active in the Santa Clara County Democratic Party. Donations in his memory may be made to the SJSU Alumni Association Scholarship Fund, One Washington Square, San José, CA 95192-0126.
David Sant, husband of Diann Sant ('74, Occupational Therapy, '81 Nursing) died in July. David's career was in sales and management in computers and communications, where he worked with over 10 startups and set up new sales organizations from scratch. In 2006, the couple established an endowment at SJSU to support nursing students. They remembered some tough times they had when they were getting their start and wanted to help others, as well as recognizing the shortage and need for more trained health care professionals.
-Sylvia Light, Editor
Bold move or political accommodation? The question remained for me after reading that former President Don Kassing suspended blood drives at SJSU because the FDA allegedly violated the school's non-discrimination policy by barring homosexual males from giving blood. The FDA is barring a small segment of the population with a disproportionately high rate of HIV infection to safeguard the nation's blood supply. The university can call it discrimination or accuse the FDA of being "unenlightened," but the high and still growing incidence of HIV/AIDS in homosexual males is a fact that the university cannot ignore.
Jeffrey B. Prather '78 Biological sciences
People whose lifestyle puts their own blood at risk shouldn't be donating blood. This not only includes gay men, but drug junkies, prostitutes, and people from England, who risk Mad Cow disease. The FDA and Red Cross made policy based on common sense and not visceral discrimination. Sick and dying people need the blood now denied them by the university's ethics. In making his ethical decision to uphold anti-discrimination for its own sake, President Kassing sadly threw out the baby with the bathwater.
John May '76 BA Behavioral Science, '86 BS Industrial Design
I first donated blood on campus and have been donating regularly for 30 years. I don't think it will be long before the medical community has the confidence in their testing to allow donations by gay men. In the interim, the result of ceasing blood donations because one segment of society is left out may be that many people who would be introduced to donating might never start. This is an unfortunate over-reaction in response to what is only a slight to some. The need for blood is too great for statements of political correctness to interfere.
Donn Fishburn '78
There is a lot of good information in Mansi Bhatia's article on ethics. However, the example of the rich girl and poor girl doing equal time in jail was annoying. The rich girl purchased amenities that made her more comfortable. The ethical point made by a student was that there was therefore unequal justice. Consider for a moment that the affluent girl had been taught to save for a rainy day and paid for the toys with her hard-earned savings. Are we teaching students to learn the skills that will bring them wealth or to hold those with wealth in contempt?
Mike Mancuso, '70 Business Administration, '75 MBA
As part of a host of skills that prepare our students to enter the workforce as effective professionals and the community as engaged citizens, university professors teach students how to think critically about issues, arrive at their own conclusions, and articulate their positions clearly. --Ed.
Your article "A Time to Lead" on former President Don W. Kassing truly captured the essence of Don. Thank you -- he deserves so much credit for his leadership.
Dorothy Poole, Assistant Vice President SJSU Administration and Finance
I just wanted you to know that I found myself truly touched and inspired after having just read your tribute article to retiring president Don Kassing. It spurs a wish that I had learned about this extraordinary leader sooner and also that I somehow could be involved in these efforts to improve life at SJSU.
Monica Arman, ‘98 Creative Arts
The first-page article (on the Sbona Honors Program) was very interesting. I hope the idea is to inspire others to make monetary contributions to this program or create programs like it in other areas of study. I wonder if the Sbona Honors Program students are fairly compensated for their contributions to the corporations for whom they toil? Yes, they gain much and learn much. However, the corporations stand to gain so much more. I hope those who oversee the program are watching out for the wellbeing of the students.
Ann Michelle (Meyer) Getsla, '70
Faculty member Bill Devincenzi, a founder of the program, is a passionate advocate for his students. He says his students routinely tell him the experience is the most valuable of their university careers. --Ed.
We’d like to hear from you. SJSU WSQ welcomes letters to the editor regarding stories in its pages. Letters accepted for publication may be edited for clarity or space and may not necessarily reflect the views of San José State University. Send correspondence to WSQ Editor / SJSU / One Washington Square / San José, CA 95192-0005 or via e-mail.
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