From the President's Desk
Welcome to the Fall 2023 edition of Washington Square: The Magazine!
Since arriving on campus in January to begin my tenure as president of San José State University, I continue to be inspired by the collective spirit, dedication and enthusiasm of the Spartan community. During my first day on campus, I shared the quote, “Talent is universal. Opportunity is not.” I firmly believe that at SJSU, we are pairing the talent and experience each student possesses with our world-class education, cutting-edge research and social justice focus to produce graduates who care about their communities as they successfully accomplish their goals.
At 40,000 Spartans strong on campus, and many more alumni spread throughout the world, we are very much the heart of San José. Our growing SJSU ❤️ SJ partnership with the City of San José integrates our students with the community and emphasizes the impact all of us can have in the global capital of innovation.
This edition of Washington Square eloquently showcases some of our service learning opportunities and partnerships where students are able to give back and truly experience learning outside of the classroom, while also presenting a few of our workforce development opportunities that are producing diverse leaders of tomorrow.
Whether you are flipping through the print version or exploring the full breadth of all the stories and digital exclusives online, we hope you enjoy a glimpse into what I like to call the “Spartan Life.” I look forward to many more opportunities to meet distinguished members of our Spartan community and welcome newcomers who choose to attend and support the university.
Sincerely,
Dr. Cynthia Teniente-Matson President
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Class Notes Are Back!
We love to share good news about our Spartan alumni community! Whether you have recently gotten a new job or promotion, retired, written a new book, curated an exhibit or another great accomplishment, tell us about it. Your good news could end up in the next edition of Washington Square: The Magazine, our Alumni Association social media channels, or other places online and on campus.
Muwekma Ohlone SJSU Area Land Acknowledgement
The San José State University community recognizes that the present-day Muwekma Ohlone Tribe, with an enrolled Bureau of Indian Affairs documented membership of over 550, is comprised of all of the known surviving American Indian lineages aboriginal to the San Francisco Bay region who trace their ancestry through the Missions Santa Clara, San José, and Dolores, during the advent of the Hispano-European empire into Alta California; and who are the successors and living members of the sovereign, historic, previously Federally Recognized Verona Band of Alameda County.
Furthermore, the San José State University community recognizes that the university is established within the Thámien Ohlone-speaking tribal ethnohistoric territory, which based upon the unratified federal treaties of 1851–1852, includes the unceded ancestral lands of the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe of the San Francisco Bay Area. Some of the enrolled Muwekma lineages are descended from direct ancestors from the Thámien Ohlone tribal territory whose ancestors had affiliation with Mission Santa Clara.
The San José State University community also recognizes the importance of this land to the indigenous Muwekma Ohlone people of this region, and consistent with our principles of community and diversity strives to be good stewards on behalf of the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe whose land we occupy.
Top photo: Robert C. Bain.
Washington Square: San José State University's Magazine © 2023. All Rights Reserved | Land Acknowledgement