2021 – The Year in Review at SJSU
![121421-ClassofSpring2021Commencement-dschmitz-1159_IMG_WEB Two students in regalia pose in front of 2021 balloons.](https://blogs.sjsu.edu/newsroom/files/2021/12/121421-ClassofSpring2021Commencement-dschmitz-1159_IMG_WEB.jpg)
Photo: David Schmitz / San José State University
Spartan spirit carried us through another year plagued by the COVID-19 pandemic. From achieving outstanding national rankings and continuing our Olympic legacy at the Tokyo Games to President Mary A. Papazian reflecting on her tenure and resignation from SJSU’s presidency, 2021 was a year for the ages. It will be long be remembered as a time that showcased the great resilience, hope and adaptability of our students, faculty and staff. In this Year in Review, we look back at some of 2021’s many highlights before we usher in the new year and all the opportunities 2022 will bring.
January
College of Engineering Celebrates 75 Years With Events All Semester Long
![Collage of the College of Engineering with a 75th Anniversary badge](https://blogs.sjsu.edu/newsroom/files/2021/01/75-banner_CoEngineer_012621_web-banner.jpg)
SJSU Charles W. Davidson College of Engineering 75th Anniversary.
Other notables from January:
- Virginia San Fratello’s Teeter Totter Wall Earns Beazley Design of the Year Award
- Op-ed by Associate Professor Susan Snycerski: Vaccines Are Here. Trust the Science.
(Source: San Francisco Chronicle)
February
San José State University Ranks Among Top Colleges in the West for Diversity
![Diverse students talking on SJSU campus](https://blogs.sjsu.edu/newsroom/files/2021/02/ADV_campus_diversity_jt_1.jpg)
Photo: James Tensuan, ’15 Journalism / San José State University
Other notables from February:
- New Campus Master Plan Aims to Revitalize San José State Campus and University Properties
- San José State’s Brent Brennan Wins National Football Coach of Year Honor
(Source: San José Mercury News; mercurynews.com) - Message From President Papazian: Institutional Values Help Elevate SJSU’s Most Transformative Ranking
March
SJSU Highlights Its Own Women Leaders in Celebration of Women’s History Month
![SJSU Celebrates Women's History Month](https://blogs.sjsu.edu/newsroom/files/2021/03/WHM_banner-_-twitter-1920x1080-1.jpg)
SJSU Celebrates Women’s History Month.
Other notables from March:
- SJSU Researchers Launch New COVID-19 Economic Dashboard for Silicon Valley
- SJSU College of Engineering Commemorates 75th Years of History
(Source: Silicon Valley Business Journal; bizjournals.com) - Spartan Spotlight: SJSU Ranked “Most Transformative University in the Nation”
(Source: KCBS Radio; audacy.com)
April
SJSU Among Top Universities in U.S. in Times Higher Education Impact Rankings
![SJSU Tower Hall.](https://blogs.sjsu.edu/newsroom/files/2021/04/sjsu-towerhall_IMG_WEB.jpg)
Photo: Robert C. Bain / San José State University
Other notables from April:
- Spartan Spotlight: Shaking Things Up With Kim Blisniuk
- SJSU Fire Weather Research Workshop Highlights Advances in Wildfire Prediction and Tracking
- Wildfire Researchers to Test New Fire Prediction Models at San José State
(Source: KCBS Radio; audacy.com)
May
SJSU Hosts In-Person Photo Experience to Celebrate the Class of 2021
![Spring graduation in-person photo experience 2021](https://blogs.sjsu.edu/newsroom/files/2021/06/20210526-038-2578_Spring_Graduation_Celebrations_visuals_RCBain_-16.jpg)
Photo: Robert C. Bain / San José State University
Other notables from May:
- Spartan Gold Standard: Remembering Lee Evans (1947-2021)
- Flor Sario Discusses Graduating During a Pandemic
(Source: KQED; omni.fm radio)
Top Twitter post for 2021: SJSU appreciation post (May 7, 2021)
SJSU.
That’s it.
Just a campus appreciation post.
💙Miss you, #SJSU💛
[📸: Samuel T. Basilio] pic.twitter.com/JGcXBW0R1b
— San Jose State University (@SJSU) May 7, 2021
June
Inaugural Economic and Social Impact Report Shows SJSU Contributes $4.1 Billion to California Economy
![SJSU Economic and Social Impact.](https://blogs.sjsu.edu/newsroom/files/2021/06/062121_Homepage_Impact-cover_IMG_WEB_01.jpg)
SJSU Economic and Social Impact.
Other notables from June:
- Recognizing SJSU’s COVID-19 Campus Heroes
- Report reveals San Jose State contributes $4.1 billion dollars to California’s economy
(Source: KPIX CBS SF Bay Area; sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com) - Doctor of Nursing Practice Graduates Look Ahead to Improving Health Care
- SJSU Alumnus Marcio Sanchez Wins Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News Photography
July
SJSU’s Olympic Legacy Continues at Tokyo Games
![A picture of 6 SJSU alumni who will be competing at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo](https://blogs.sjsu.edu/newsroom/files/2021/07/072121_Olympic_Athletes_Collage_news_01.jpg)
Seven SJSU Spartans will participate in the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo from July 23 to August 8. Not pictured: Coach Greg Massialas.
Other notables from July:
- The Incredible Life of Yosh Uchida, the 101-Year-Old American Judo Master Who’s Still Inspiring Olympians
(Source: The Athletic; theathletic.com) - San José State Graduate Brings His Best Judo Game to Tokyo Olympics
(Source: NBC Bay Area; nbcbayarea.com) - Spartan Spotlight: Transforming the Future of Nursing Education
- From Homelessness to San José State: A Bay Area Foster Kid’s Journey
(Source: San José Mercury News; mercurynews.com)
August
SJSU Welcomes Spartan Community Back With SJSU Together Campaign
Other notables from August:
- San José State University Begins Fall Semester With About 95% Vaccination Rate for Students, Staff
(Source: ABC 7 News; abc7news.com) - New Ad Campaign in San José Hopes to Positively Encourage Vaccination
(Source: KPIX CBS SF Bay Area; sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com) - Message From President Papazian: Transforming Undergraduate Education Through REP4 and Lurie College Initiatives
September
SJSU Receives $1 Million Grant From Adobe as Part of Inaugural Anchor School Program
Other notables from September:
- Adobe is Giving $1M to SJSU as Part of a Program to Boost Diversity in the Tech Industry
(Source: Silicon Valley Business Journal; bizjournals.com) - “On 9/11, I was a NYPD Captain”; UPD Captain Belcastro Reflects 20 Years Later
- The Post-Pandemic Future of College? It’s on Campus and Online.
(Source: Washington Post; washingtonpost.com)
October
Dr. Mary A. Papazian Resigns as 30th President of SJSU
![President Mary A. Papazian.](https://blogs.sjsu.edu/newsroom/files/2021/10/president-mary-a-papazian_spartans.jpg)
Photo: Josie Lepe, ’03 BFA Photography
Related: Read President Papazian’s message regarding her resignation from the SJSU presidency.
Other notables from October:
- SJSU Honors Its History of Social Justice and Activism With Expanded, Campus-Wide “Legacy Month”
- San José State Named An Inaugural Fulbright HSI Leader
- Why Mexico-Born NASA Engineer Ali Guarneros Took the Long Road to Space
(Source: NBC Bay Area; nbcbayarea.com) - Message From President Papazian: SJSU’s Digital Transformation Was No Accident, but a Result of Planning and Forward-Thinking
November
Stephen Perez Selected as Interim President of SJSU
Other notables from November:
- SJSU Launches Inaugural Racial Justice Event
- San José State Opens Doors to New SJSU Cares Office
- Celebrating Native American Heritage Month: We Are Muwekma Ohlone
- SJSU to Honor Afghan Photojournalist’s Work With Hearst Award
(Source: San José Mercury News; mercurynews.com) - Message From President Papazian: Transformation 2030 Continues to Unfold as “Living, Breathing” Plan
December
San José State Hosts First In-Person Commencement Ceremonies Since 2019
Other notables from December:
- It’s back! SJSU’s Washington Square magazine Relaunched With New Look
- Message From President Papazian: Report from SJSU’s Task Force on Community Safety and Policing
- A Fond Farewell From President Papazian