PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Alexander Gonzalez, Ph.D.

President

I’m pleased to welcome you to California State University San Marcos. This University catalog presents the rich range of academic programs, activities, and engaged faculty and staff that characterize our learning community. With a commitment to providing quality undergraduate and graduate education, Cal State San Marcos places major emphasis on integrating academic programs with active learning – a key component for becoming a university for the new century.

As our campus continues its second decade of excellence, Cal State San Marcos is committed to building a strong and dynamic university. We are dedicated to improving access and service to students, enhancing academic quality, developing and broadening support, and strengthening leadership and management. Our overall objective is to become the region’s university of choice. In this decade, we look forward to exceeding your expectations for higher education. I hope you will be partners with us as we continue along our path to excellence.

HARRY BRAKEBILL DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR AWARD

Laura Wendling, Ph.D.

I am deeply honored to be named the Harry E. Brakebill Distinguished Professor for 1999-2000. I was born and raised in San Diego, but while growing up I could have never imagined that someday, after many years of study, as well as working as an elementary teacher in Seattle and as a museum educator in Belgium, I would find my true calling and ideal profession through a university career in my hometown.

Few outside the university are aware of the many roles incumbent in the job of a university professor. For although excellence in teaching and mentoring students is of paramount importance, professors also engage in a wide variety of activities, including working on research grants, developing community partnerships, publishing, presenting papers at conferences, and serving on local, state and national professional organizations. No two days are ever the same, and therein lies both the challenge and the reward.

I would like to extend special thanks to the family of Harry E. Brakebill, Executive Vice Chancellor Emeritus, California State University, in whose name this award is given, to Dean Steve Lilly of the College of Education, to my colleagues throughout the university, to my students who are my joy and inspiration, and finally to my parents who encouraged me to reach for the stars.

PRESIDENT’S AWARD FOR SCHOLARSHIP & CREATIVE ACTIVITY

P. Wesley Schultz, Ph.D.

I want to take this opportunity to remind people of the seriousness of environmental problems. Human behavior is having a direct and damaging effect on the natural environment. In the last 100 years, humans have abused the planet on an unprecedented scale. The air, water, and land of the planet are becoming overused and polluted to the point where a large-scale environmental crisis is a real possibility. Indeed, it is difficult (if not impossible) to find any part of the natural environment on this planet that has not been adversely affected by human activity.

As a society, we face a number of challenging environmental problems: pollution, global warming, loss of habitats and biodiversity, and reductions in natural resources, to name a few. If life on this planet is going to continue as we know it, we must learn to balance growth and technological development with the resources and capacity of the planet.

As a scholar, much of my research has focused on understanding the human behaviors that cause environmental problems. What types of issues motivate people to act? Why do (or don't) people recycle? How do we promote the use of public transportation? How does an individual's culture or experiences influence environmental attitudes or behavior, and how do attitudes vary across cultures? What is the best way to educate people about environmental issues? To address these questions, my students and I conduct both laboratory and field research. It is my hope, that through the application of science, we can understand and change the human behavior that causes environmental problems.

You can help. As individuals, we all make choices that directly affect the natural environment. In your daily life, make choices that have less environmental impact. Avoid driving (walk or ride a bike instead); recycle used products at home, school, and work; avoid purchasing individually packaged products; purchase items that are energy efficient; and volunteer to work for an environmental organization.