September 8, 2006

Enthusiasm runs high at annual friends of San Jose State University
dinner at the Villages clubhouse on august 23

By Tom Harney
Special to the Times

It all started with a simple story.

"Soon after I arrived on campus in summer of 2005, as the newly-appointed Dean of the College of Business, I went to lunch with Don Lucas, a graduate of SJSU. He asked me what my vision was for the College of Business. I said, ‘We need to provide our students with a global experience, the same way that I have had a global experience. To compete in the business world today, one needs to have a global perspective. We need to have relationships with overseas universities. We need to have visiting scholars. We need to send our students overseas to get that experience. We need have a branded program where all of our programs are integrated.’"

Benton and Mary Lou White enjoying themselves at the Friends of SJSU Dinner.  Benton White formed and was Chair of the Department of Religious Studies at SJSU.  He also served as Chair of the Board for the Department of Athletics at SJSU for several terms. Photos by Tom Harney

This was the vision for the College of Business that Dr. Bruce R. Magid, Ph.D. had and shared with Don Lucas as they had lunch together that autumn afternoon in 2005. This is the beginning of the story that Dean Magid shared with those who attended the Friends of San Jose State Annual Dinner at the Villages Clubhouse on August 23.

Dean Magid continued the story.

"About a month later Don Lucas contacted me and said, ‘Can we help? Can we provide the College of Business with ten million dollars to launch that branded graduate school that you envision?’ A second luncheon followed in the office of enthusiastic SJSU President Donald Kassing. And, in April of this year, we launched the Donald and Sally Lucas Graduate School of Business, the largest single gift from any two individuals in the history of San Jose State University."

Dean Magid went on to add, "Some of you may have seen that San Jose State University was just ranked among
the top 10 public universities in the West that offer Bachelors and Masters Degrees in the West. So, there is already a movement going forward. The College of Business is celebrating 79 years of success this year. We have provided businesses with more business degree graduates than any other college in the region. In fact, many will say that our College of Business fuels the economy here. We are filling major positions in business and government. In addition, our College of Business is one of the 25 largest Colleges of Businesses in the country. In the College of Business, we have over 5000 students. So, we have a big, big program."

Shortly thereafter, Jennifer C. Cauble, Associate Vice President of University Marketing and Communications, approached the speaker’s platform and said, "Next year we in Marketing and Communications will have a really exciting opportunity. The year 2007 marks our 150th year as an institution of higher learning. We will be celebrating our Sesquicentennial Year. Just say ‘Sesqui’ and then ‘centennial.’ Everything we do in Marketing and Communications is aimed at building pride and the image of San Jose State University and to help people know about the wonderful things that we are doing at San Jose State University."

Cauble went on to add, "Our whole theme for this year-long celebration is ‘Where Tradition Meets Tomorrow.’ We are proud of what we were, our heritage. We want everyone to look now on where we are now and where we are going. We are planning a full year of celebrations. From January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2007, there are going to be celebrations on the campus and in the community to tell people what we are doing and talking about our Sesquicentennial."

Enthusiasm ran very high among those who attended the event, and many felt that this was one of the best annual dinners ever hosted by this official Villager organization, "Friends of San Jose State University." This organization focuses on this one annual event each year. There is a special excitement about this annual event that seems to permeate the air before, during, and after this annual dinner. Everybody just seemed to have so much fun just being together and sharing their interest in San Jose State University.

Patricia Smith, President of the San Jose State Alumni Association, and Chair of the dinner event, giving introductions and introducing both speakers said, "We are growing. We had 88 signed up for the evening. I’m extremely excited about what’s going on at San Jose State University. I think this evening really showcased all of the things that have been happening at the university."

Bill Eckert, who along with his wife, Ellen, and others was one of the planners for this very successful event, said, "Everybody that I talked to thought it was one of the most fantastic dinners that we have ever had."