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Insights / Spring 2024

aerial view of solar panels over parking lot

 

ON THE PATH TO RENEWAL

Sonoma State is undergoing a forward-looking transformation 

Monir Ahmed and Karen Moranski

Racing toward the future, leaning into core strengths

Resilience – our ability to seek renewal and a sustainable future – is the continued story of Sonoma State 

4 people walk a path in the woods

Preserving and renewing tradition

With the aid of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, the refurbished Fairfield Osborn Preserve is an educational foothold on a mountain held sacred by Coast Miwok and Southern Pomo tribes. 

Teacher helps young student

SEEDS sprouts community-minded teachers

 SSU program creates special-education experts – and a heartfelt community of educators. 

Young student studies instructions while holding wires

Innovation key for Learning by Making program

SSU faculty and staff in EdEon STEM Learning didn’t have the technology they needed to innovate science instruction in rural and underserved schools. So they built it.

IN THIS ISSUE

On the cover

insights. The Magazine of Sonoma State University. Spring 2024. A Path to Renewal.

Stevenson Hall is the centerpiece of the 269-acre Sonoma State University campus and is the largest academic building at SSU, making it an intrinsic part of the lives of faculty and students. 

More than 60 years after its creation, Stevenson Hall has seen many changes from a campus and academic perspective.

A stunning $90-million renovation completed in 2022 transformed the Hall from a loveable, ivy-covered concrete bunker into the first state-of-the-art, LEED-certified building on campus.

“Stevenson Hall is and will always be a true hub for dialogue and academic endeavors,” President Lee said at the 2023 ribbon-cutting ceremony, raising a pair of giant scissors as the crowd roared with appreciation. 

features
Monir Ahmed and Karen Moranski

Renewal marks path to future

Our ability to seek renewal and a sustainable future is the continued story of Sonoma State.

President Mike Lee

University is a power source

New president Mike Lee sees his job as bringing back and giving new life to the pride in the University.

4 people walk a path in the woods

Preserving and renewing tradition

With the aid of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, the refurbished Fairfield Osborn Preserve is an educational foothold on a mountain held sacred by Coast Miwok and Southern Pomo tribes.

baljieu

Seeking variety among the varietals

SSU alumni emphasize the importance of diversity in the wine business

Teacher helps young student

Growing community-minded teachers

SSU program creates special-education experts – and a heartfelt community of educators.

Young student studies instructions while holding wires

Learning by Making

They didn’t have the technology  needed to innovate science instruction in rural and underserved schools. So they built it.

research
students in front of mountains

New Zealand classroom

Geology student Kelsey Dowdall said her fieldwork experience gave her better tools than anything she could have learned in the classroom.

hands reach into crab basket

Exploring a unique culture

SSU researcher's study of the Gullah people yields insights about shared abundance

profiles
Ed Mills

Student experience key to enrollment success

New Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management Ed Mills knew he had a big challenge ahead of him when he arrived at Sonoma State. In fact, he was counting on it — and welcomed it.

David McCuan, Kim Hester, Rob Eyleer, Omayra Ortega

Get to Know

Eight questions to four faculty members: David McCuan, Political Science; Kim Hester Williams, English; Robert Eyler, Economics; Omayra Ortega, Math and Statistics

awards
Dan Crocker

Biologist Crocker wins Wang Award

The high selective award recognizes unparalleled record for successful campus funding.

Ruzanna Gasparyan

Students get top CSU scholarship, award

Students honored with CSU's Sally Casanova Scholarship and Trustee Emeritus Kenneth Fong Scholar among CSU Trustees' Awards. 

milestones
art gallery

Popular programs celebrate 40 years

The Art from the Heart benefit auction and the Holocaust and Genocide Lecture Series celebrated a major milestone this year.

in the news
Greg Sarris, Larry Brackett

Sarris, Brackett receive honorary degrees

The chairman of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria and the well-known North Bay realtor will receive awards at the 2024 Commencement in May

Tunghai University

Student exchange with Tunghai University

Tunghai is offering comprehensive scholarships, including travel, for two students to attend Summer Minimester, a program sponsored by Fulbright Taiwan.

solar eclipse

Eclipse Megamovie

A crowdsourced collection of the 2024 solar eclipse will be stitched into a movie.

otter

Otter research makes cover of "Nature"

Brent Hughes’ research on sea otters and their role in protecting a California salt marsh was the cover article of “Nature," and picked up by nearly 200 news outlets.

four faces

SSU Foundation

The board welcomes four new members. Meet them and see all members of the board.

alumni
Mike McGuire

Alumni Spotlight: Mike McGuire

The political science alum took office this year as the Senate President Pro Tempore.

group of people

Meet the Alumni Association

A letter to the alumni community from Tiffany O'Neil, our assistant vice president for alumni relations and university engagement, and the members of the 2023-24 board of directors

student in front of U.S. capital

Scholarships awarded

Meet the recipients of the Ambrose R. Nichols, Jr.  and the Heart of SSU scholarships.

four people pose for camera

Giving Day 2024

There was much to celebrate following the success of the 2024 campaign.

Three students sit on a bench in Stevenson Hall

Nichols Legacy Society

Learn about celebrating your legacy with planned gifts.

Three people smile for camera

Alumni event roundup

See how your fellow alumni have been getting involved and having fun.

wedding couple

Class Notes

SSU alumni share their successes and good news.