Spartan Daily - Serving San Jose State University since 1934

Issue date: 11/5/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Hanna Thrasher Valerie Coleman Morris, SJSU journalism alumna from the class of '68 and former CNN financial news anchor, was a key speaker at Thursday's Presidential Gala held at the Fairmont hotel. Morris also conducted a mock news broadcast as one of the many performances that evening.

The Presidential Gala was held at the Fairmount downtown Hotel Thursday night as a grand finale to SJSU's 150 anniversary celebration.

More than 725 people, including faculty memebers, alumni, some city and county officials and students, joined together for a celebration of SJSU's recent achievements with dinner, dancing and a presentation of predictions on the school's future.

"It's a real reflection of the affection and support that they provide for the university," said President Don Kassing about the turnout of the event.

In the 2006-07 academic year, SJSU received $50 million in donations, nearly doubling last year's $26.4 million, Kassing said at the event.

"In the years ahead, your support will directly affect this university, our nation and the world," Kassing said to the alumni who gave gifts to the university.

Alumna Valerie Coleman Morris, a broadcast journalism graduate of 1968, began the evening of events by driving into the gala on an award-winning zero-emission vehicle designed by a group of engineering students.

Morris also gave a mock broadcast presentation of Kassing's vision of SJSU's future.

Some of Kassing's predictions of the future for SJSU student achievements included a cure for homelessness, finding life on Mars and beating Stanford's football team every year.

Despite the prediction's fun intentions, Morris said she believes SJSU students have the ability to achieve the goals due to their diversity.

"I think we will see more and more of our students because of the environment given to them, doing absolutely anything they want at each different level," Morris said.

SJSU alumnus and U.S. Rep. Michael Honda, Sen. Dianne Feinstein and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger sent their regards via video messages.

"It was really cool to see people in those positions making the time to congratulate and send their best wishes," said Tony Cacace, a senior mechanical engineering major, about the video messages.

Andrea Rios, a sophomore mechanical engineering major, was invited to the event by the dean of her department.

"It was so inspirational," Rios said. "I'm really grateful I got to go."

Student-based entertainment included the Spartan Marching Band, SJSU cheer team and a stomp performance by Iota Phi Theta Fraternity.

Nancie Fimbel, interim dean of the college of business, said she has noticed more than a just physical change at SJSU throughout the years.

Media Credit: Hanna Thrasher In celebration of SJSU's 150th anniversary, an ice sculpture sat in the middle of the buffet table at the Presidential Gala on Thursday at the Fairmont Hotel.

"The other thing I have seen change is that we have much better community relations," Fimbel said. "And I think that will continue and that will be a real strength of ours."

Alumnus Donald Lucas led a toast to SJSU's future before the dance floor opened.

In 2006, Lucas and his wife Sally contributed $10 million to the business graduate program, which consequently renamed the Donald and Sally Lucas Graduate School of Business.

Mayor Chuck Reed was at the event with Vice Mayor David Cortese, councilwomen Nancy Pyle and Judy Chirco, and councilmen Sam Liccardo, Kansen Chu and Forrest Williams.

"It was terrific; it was a lot of fun," Reed said. "I go to a lot of these events, and this was a great one."

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