A Message from SJSU President Mary Papazian
Photo: Tom Sanders, ’14 MFA Photography
During my first months as SJSU’s president, I have discovered many examples of pioneering Spartans working together to explore new frontiers.
That came as no surprise, considering that we were the founding campus of the California State University, the world’s largest public comprehensive university. We are Silicon Valley’s public university. We all should be incredibly proud to be part of that remarkable legacy. I know that I’m proud to be a Spartan!
Soon after my arrival at San Jose State in July, my family and I visited Moss Landing Marine Labs as it prepared for its 50th anniversary celebration. Highlighted in this issue of Washington Square, the MLML faculty for 50 years has educated and mentored new generations of marine scientists, while doing cutting-edge research aimed at preserving coastal and marine health. The lab’s societal impact has been enormous.
In the following pages, you’ll also find stories of community members—including alumnae Maribel Martinez, Anima Patil-Sabale and Melissa Lewelling—embarking on many different “firsts.” SJSU’s track and field alumni reunited on campus in August to celebrate the return of men’s track and field—a homecoming that honored the legacy of using sport to promote social change. It all started right here.
We are Silicon Valley’s public university. We all should be incredibly proud to be part of that remarkable legacy.
My husband, Dennis, and I are now settled in our new SJSU home. We had the president’s residence painted yellow in celebration of the California sunshine, something that, as a California native, I’d missed. It was time for a fresh start—like those we’ve had on campus. In September, we officially dedicated the Ramiro Compean and Lupe Diaz Compean Student Union. A beautiful Student Wellness Center opened last year. Yosh Uchida Hall is newly renovated. Dudley Moorhead Hall is finally getting air conditioning. And Campus Village II welcomed its first student, faculty and canine residents in October. I encourage you to visit campus to see how it has evolved. And there’s more to come.
We boldly promise that San Jose State powers Silicon Valley. As our region adapts, we must adapt, too. And we will. SJSU has a quarter-million living alumni, two-thirds of whom live in the Bay Area. Spartans influence life locally and globally, in ways seen and unseen. And our potential, when we work together, seems limitless.
I wish you a safe and happy holiday season.
Sincerely,
Mary Papazian
President
I look forward to hearing from you. Please share your thoughts by emailing me.
