Convocation to eye human aspect of growth

Chancellor Larry Vanderhoef and featured speaker Stanley Sue will focus on how UC Davis can grow its sense of community as the campus grows in size Wednesday during the annual Fall Convocation.

The campus and area residents are invited to attend the hourlong program starting at 11 a.m. in Freeborn Hall.

In "Smart Growth: Building for Excellence," Vanderhoef plans to discuss growth at the human level.

This year's address continues a theme set forth at the 2000 convocation. "Growth: Meeting the Challenge of the Next Decade" last year concentrated on the physical elements of expansion - new structures and actual student and employee numbers.

This year Vanderhoef will discuss effects of growth that will impact staff, faculty members and students on a daily basis. The chancellor also plans to examine new ways to maintain the strong sense of community UC Davis has enjoyed, he said, adding this sense of community has been especially evident in the wake of last week's terrorist attacks.

"Faculty and staff issues will be touched upon, including career-life matters, keeping communication lines open in an increasingly diversified population, and coping with change," he said.

Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw will emcee the convocation. Hinshaw, formerly the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Graduate School dean and vice chancellor for research, assumed her new post July 1.

Featured speaker Stanley Sue, a UC Davis psychology and psychiatry professor and director of the Asian American studies program, has selected the topic "Ethnic and Racial Issues: Why Can't We All Just Get Along?"

"I chose this talk because it is based on my thoughts and research on ethnicity and race and because of the racial conflicts that we have seen not only in the nation, but also at Davis," Sue said.

This spring Sue was awarded the 2001 Academic Senate Distinguished Public Service Award for his work in helping ethnic minority groups and service providers overcome ignorance about mental health services. His career spans 30 years and he is considered a top national authority and influential voice on issues relating ethnicity and psychological well-being. He came to UC Davis in 1996 to chair the Asian American studies program.

Also at the convocation, the UC Davis Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Professor Kern Holoman, will perform Sir Arthur Sullivan's "Overture" from The Mikado. The program also will include "Hail to California" and will close with Handel's "Hornpipe" from Water Music.

The fall convocation last year drew approximately 1,200 people. Attendees represent a mix of faculty and staff members and students and other area residents and officials.

Following the convocation, a reception for the community will be held on the Freeborn patio. The fall quarter officially begins Monday, and classes begin Sept. 28.

Media Resources

Amy Agronis, Dateline, (530) 752-1932, abagronis@ucdavis.edu

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