Former Mexican President Vicente Fox to Speak at USD
On Thursday, April 7th at 4:00 p.m., former President of Mexico Vicente Fox will deliver the keynote address at the 15th Annual Sister Sally Furay Lecture in the Joan B. Kroc Theatre. The event is sponsored by the University of San Diego’s Trans-Border Institute and the Center for Community Service Learning.
With the election of 2000, Vicente Fox of the Partido Acción Nacional (PAN) was the first opposition party candidate in Mexico to be elected president after 71 years of single party rule by the Partido Revolucionario Institucional (PRI). This historic election ushered in a new era of political opening and democratization in Mexico that held out much promise. While he was an important ally of the United States in the War on Drugs and achieved significant successes in dismantling the leadership of important drug-trafficking organizations during his administration, President Fox has also stirred controversy recently by suggesting that drug legalization may be a more effective tool in reducing the power of such trafficking organizations.
The 15th Annual Sister Sally Furay Lecture recognizes USD’s former Provost Sister Sally Furay, whose vision for social justice provided the inspiration for creating the Trans-Border Institute and the Center for Community Service Learning on campus.
This event is open to the public. Tickets cost $10 for students, $15 for USD faculty or staff, and $20 general admission.
UC San Diego Presents Month-long César Chávez Celebration in April
A legendary advocate for American workers, a human rights activist and proponent of non-violence solutions, César E. Chávez’s legacy lives on in many ways. At the University of California, San Diego, the life and achievements of Chávez will be celebrated with a series of events throughout the month of April.
Chávez’s birthday, March 31, is a statewide holiday and is observed by UC San Diego on March 25.
Chávez, the principal figure in the Chicano Civil Rights Movement, will be recognized at UC San Diego with events that include lectures, films, discussions with activists and scholars, a cultural celebration, youth essay contest and student field trip.
According to Jorge Mariscal, literature professor and chair of the UC San Diego César E. Chávez Recognition Planning Committee, “As the accomplishments of César E. Chávez and the Chicano movement become more distant in time, it is important that our young people learn about those who sacrificed so much so that future generations could live with dignity and equal opportunity.”
Lecturers on campus include major figures from Mexican American history, such as famed teacher and activist Sal Castro and internationally-known writer Cherrie Moraga. Moraga will present her new work entitled “Xicana Codex” at 7 p.m., April 21 in the Price Center Ballroom West.
At 6 p.m., April 25 in the UC San Diego Huerta-Vera Cruz room, Castro and UC Santa Barbara professor Mario Garcia, will present their book, “Blowout!” Castro was a mentor to Chicana/o students who advocated for public school reform and initiated the urban Chicano Movement in 1968.
The César E. Chávez Celebration finale on April 30 is the “Comienza con un sueño” outreach event. The all-day event is dedicated to promoting the importance of higher education to local middle and high school students and their families.
Other activities in the month-long salute to Chávez include:
· High School Essay Contest Awards Presentation and Breakfast, 7:30 a.m., March 28, San Diego Convention Center. Presented by the Early Academic Outreach Program (EAOP) and the César E. Chávez Recognition Planning Committee.
· Special screening of “Roots in the Sand,” April 26, at 11:30 a.m., UC San Diego Cross-Cultural Center. The film chronicles the Punjabi and Mexican workers in California’s Imperial Valley.
· 25th Annual Cultural Celebration, all day, April 9, UC San Diego’s Thurgood Marshall College campus. The event features music, dance, food and art from around the world.
· Field trip to Chicano Park for the 41st Celebration of the Park in Barrio Logan, April 23, 11:30 a.m. The trip for UC San Diego students includes food, vendors, entertainment and free transportation.
Southwestern College Begins its 50th Anniversary Celebration
Celebration to Include Historical College Artifacts, Creation of Time Capsule
On Tuesday, March 29, Southwestern College will begin its 50th anniversary celebration with a community birthday party on its main campus in Chula Vista, as well as celebrations at its Higher Education Centers and the Crown Cove Aquatic Center in Coronado.
The free event on the Chula Vista campus will feature:
· a display of the College’s historical artifacts;
· a speaking presentation to include Cheryl Cox, Mayor of Chula Vista; and
· the creation of a new 50-year time capsule containing items from each of the College’s schools and departments.
Chula Vista Redevelopment Corporation Accepting Applications
The Chula Vista Redevelopment Corporation (CVRC) has one vacancy and is looking for a dynamic leader with professional experience in one or more of the following categories: Architecture, Civil Engineering, Environmental Planning, Urban Planning or Design, Real Estate Development or Business Development, Finance, Redevelopment, Land Use Law, Environmental Law, Banking or Lending, Commercial Real Estate Brokerage or Appraisal and Affordable Housing Finance or Development. Applications will be accepted through 5 p.m., Wednesday, April 6. To be eligible, applicants must be at least 18 years old and registered voters.
The CVRC is a non-profit, public benefit organization formed by the city to support the planning and redevelopment activities of the City Council and Redevelopment Agency. Members consist of local and regional experts in specific fields and expertise who help oversee the redevelopment process and provide strategic policy advice and insight to City leaders through a public process.
The application and information is available online at www.chulavistaca.gov/goto/CVRC or at the City Clerk.s office, 276 Fourth Avenue.