Cal State Today Fall 2006

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CAMPUS

FORUM

In Memorium

Dr. Raymond Sparks, 62, professor of criminal justice who died unexpectedly April 25, was accorded emeritus status posthumously during commencement ceremonies at CSUB June 10.

CSUB President Horace Mitchell presented the special emeritus designation to Dr. Sparks' widow, Penny, and his daughter Shanna during the School of Humanities and Social Sciences ceremony. He is also survived by his sons Chris and Darren and their families.

Dr. Sparks earned his doctorate in political science from the University of Nevada, Reno, his master's in English from San Francisco State University, and his bachelor's in speech also from SFSU.

Prior to joining the CSUB faculty in 2001, he spent 24 years in law enforcement in Nevada, beginning his career as a Nevada highway patrol officer. At the time of his retirement from law enforcement he was deputy director for public safety for Nevada.

"Ray's superb work ethic and distinguished character earned him great respect and admiration from faculty, staff and students across this campus," Mitchell said. "We miss our colleague and friend."

Exchange deal signed

By Mike Stepanovich

Dean Henry Lowenstein signs exchange student agreement with Queretaro university officials. Two universities in Bakersfield's sister city of Queretaro, Mexico, and CSUB are launching a business-student exchange program slated to begin in 2007.

The two schools, Universidad Contemporanea, a private institution, and Universidad Autonoma de Queretaro, will swap students with CSUB for 10-week sessions, beginning in either the winter or spring quarters 2007, said Henry Lowenstein, dean of the School of Business and Public Administration.

"This is major," Lowenstein said. "We've been working on this for a year now, and signed the agreement in July. This will be a great opportunity for both the university and the community."

Esperanza Ezquerro, director of international programs at Universidad Contemporanea, was delighted with the arrangement. In an interview with Jenny Shearer, a reporter with The Bakersfield Californian, Ezquerro said, "CSUB is collaborating with our university in the task of interculturalization, mainly with those students who want to get this experience in a multicultural environment such as the one they can find at CSUB. Also receiving CSUB´s students (here in Queretaro) will enrich those students who cannot afford to study in another country."

She said such exchanges better prepare students for work in a global economy. "It is very important in this globalized world that students learn how to interact with people from other countries and different cultures, mainly those who are studying business," she said. "Most of them are going to work in transnational industries, or work in other countries, to buy or sell their merchandise to people all over the world, and it is better that they begin having that experience" while they are students. "This is a wonderful opportunity for both Mexican and American students to succeed in that effort. Also they have to develop global skills as tolerance, understanding and adaptation, among others."