Features, Profiles and Stories
The transition from sports to careers outside athletics often represents a sudden shift in identity for student-athletes. SJSU’s Beyond Sparta program offers personal and professional development opportunities for student-athletes to help them make the leap.
Sociologist and civil rights advocate Dr. Harry Edwards, ‘64 Social Science, ‘16 Honorary Doctorate, is creating pathways for Spartans to continue his legacy of social justice.
“San José State is the ideal place for a young athlete to be looking not only to be an academic success and an athletic success, but also a success in participatory citizenship, and that’s what I hope to inspire.”
5 Ways to Prepare for Midterm Elections with Mary Currin-Percival. Photo by Robert C. Bain.
The Muwekma Ohlone Are Still Here
Thousands of years before SJSU existed, the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe thrived along the waterway now known as the Guadalupe River. This summer, the arts collective Empire Seven Studios unveiled “We Are Muwekma Ohlone,” a mural by Alfonso Salazar that honors the past, present and future of the tribe.
Left to right: Gabriel Nijmeh, Lucas Arellano, Virginia Arellano, Muwekma Ohlone Vice Chairwoman Monica Arellano, Stacey Kellogg (in hat), Muwekma Ohlone Chairwoman Charlene Nijmeh, artist Alfonso Salazar, and Empire Seven Studios co-founders Juan Carlos Araujo and Jennifer Ahn. Photo: Jennifer Gonzalez-Arias.
A Tale of Two Photographs: Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Marcio Sanchez credits SJSU with preparing him for a celebrated career as a photojournalist.
San José State Spartans with Head Coach Brent Brennan. Photo by Ryan O’Rourke of SJSU Athletics.
Stars on the Field: Spartan Football Team Unites During a Unique Season
In 2020, the San José State Spartans won the Mountain West Conference championship for the first time after winning an impressive 7 games, their best season since 1939. The heart of Coach Brennan’s coaching ethos? His players, regardless of position, years on the field or life beyond sports, play for and with each other.
Washington Square, spring/summer 2017
Dreamers: The Undocumented Student and Immigrant Experience
More than 700 San Jose State students are undocumented. How will this community address challenges posed by the federal government? Photo by Tom Sanders.
Washington Square, summer 2020
Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston’s American Story
The Farewell to Manzanar author credits the civil rights movement for creating opportunities for people of color to share their experiences, voice their frustration and force the nation to confront racial inequality. Photo courtesy of Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston.
Washington Square, spring/summer 2019
On Fire
The only team of its kind in the United States, Craig Clements’ Fire Weather Research Laboratory studies and decodes wildfire behavior to improve fire management and prevention. Photo courtesy of the Fire Weather Research Lab.
Washington Square, spring 2020
Her Own Hero: The History of Women’s Self-Defense
Associate Professor of History Wendy Rouse explores the history of women in self-defense and its relationship to women’s rights. Photo courtesy of Wendy Rouse.
Washington Square, summer 2019
Like Father, Like Son
Pabel Mijangos, ’20 Finance, learned how his father Octavio Mijangos’ journey to the U.S. informed his own path to an education while writing a paper for his Global Dimensions of Business course. Photo: courtesy of Pabel Mijangos.
Washington Square, spring 2020
Addressing Inequities in Early Childhood Education
SJSU’s Lurie College of Education is working to organize and present the best possible early childhood education research resources for teachers, parents and the greater Bay Area community. Photo by Robert Bain.
L-R: Sandra Edwards, Gayle Boze Knowles, Rochelle Duff Davis and Mary Noel at SJSU’s 2016 commencement. Courtesy of Sandra Edwards.
The Women of the Olympic Project for Human Rights
In the 1960s, student activists at San José State University mobilized around the 1968 Mexico City Olympics to organize a stand for civil rights. It took courage, commitment and focus on a bigger picture to take a stand for civil rights and to demand equal treatment. Sandra Edwards, Gayle Boze Knowles, Rochelle Duff Davis and Mary Noel were among the pioneering young women who led the charge for civil rights.
Photo courtesy of Wayne Merry. Washington Square, January 2020
Wayne Merry: Climbing First
On November 12, 1958, Wayne Merry became one of the first rock climbers to reach the summit of Yosemite National Park’s El Capitan from its great South Face.
Jaime Alcala, ’19 Geology; Hollianne McClure, ’20 Geology; Alianora Walker, ’20 MS Geology; SJSU Geology Professor Manny Gabet; and ranger Rob Cala of San Mateo County Parks’ Fitzgerald Marine Preserve examine a site at the San Gregario fault at Pillar Point Bluff, Calif. Photo courtesy of Kim Blisniuk. Washington Square, June 2019.
Geology From the Ground Up
Rocks tell stories. Their age, their chemical composition, their placement in the environment, the manner in which they shift or move over time—geology offers insight into Earth’s history if a scientist knows where to look and which questions to ask, says Kim Blisniuk, assistant professor of geology.
Olympic medalist Marti Malloy is one of ten women athletes that I interviewed for Washington Square. Read the full series on the Washington Square website. Photo by David Schmitz.