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Collection Description

Generous funding over the years from the John and Jane Adams Endowment for the Humanities has enabled the SDSU library to conduct oral histories of San Diego State University faculty, prominent alumni, and administrators. Most of the oral histories presented here were conducted by professional oral historian, Dr. Susan Resnik and were funded by the Adams Endowment.

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Changes in morphology and behavior of the Coronado Island rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus caliginis), an insular population of the Western Rattlesnake (C. oreganus)
Islands have played a key role in our understanding of rapid evolution. There is a large body of literature examining morphological and behavioral changes in response to insularity, which has yielded useful generalizations about how animals can adapt to live in these habitats. Some of these changes fall under the “island rule”, a generalization describing morphological and behavioral changes a species undergoes after being isolated on an island. It can be difficult to examine longitudinal patterns of growth and development, as such studies require long term mark-recapture of a large sample of individuals. Although it is often known that typical adult body size differs drastically on island populations, it is rare to understand the ontogeny leading to those differences. Rattlesnakes provide a unique model to address this question, as rattle segment widths correlate closely with the body size of the snake at the time in which they are formed, and (to an extent) age. We used a large database of rattle segment sizes recorded from both island and mainland populations of Western Rattlesnakes (Crotalus oreganus) to compare body sizes at different ecdysis cycles, and patterns of sexual size dimorphism. Our results show that island rattlesnakes are born slightly smaller than mainland snakes but grow much more slowly while retaining the same degree of sexual dimorphism. This pattern may indicate that mechanisms underlying changes and body size and patterns of sexual dimorphism in rattlesnake are strongly affected by local prey resources. Compared to morphological studies, studies examining behavioral changes on island populations are rare. In addition to morphological changes, we also quantify and compare behaviors between these two populations. Previous studies suggest that in the absence of predation pressure, insular populations become more docile, bolder and more exploratory of their surroundings compared to mainland populations. Our results show that C. o. calignis is bolder and potentially more explorative than C. oreganus, but we did not find evidence for differences in docility. We conclude that C. o. calignis fits some of the patterns documented in the broader literature on insular evolution, but docility may be highly context dependent and warrants future study., San Diego State University
Combining biomarkers to predict Alzheimer’s disease: Can cognitive reserve be used as a supplemental marker?
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) biomarkers indicate who is at risk for developing the disease, facilitate early diagnosis and can inform research to discover treatment options. Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) genotype, ß-amyloid (Aß), tau, hippocampal volume, entorhinal thickness, and olfactory impairment are known biomarkers of AD; however, no single biomarker can predict AD on its own. Cognitive reserve has gained recognition due to its ability to alter neural networks, compensating for pathology. Therefore, this study investigated the protective effects of cognitive reserve and assessed it as a biomarker of AD. Neuropsychological tests, AD biomarkers and neuroimaging aimed to uncover how these markers predict cognitive impairment. Archival de-identified data from nondemented adults 75 years or older was analyzed in this study. Cognitive reserve was operationally defined as self-reported years of education. The ADAS-Cog-Odor, a novel add-on test, was administered in the context of the ADAS-Cog-13 by including an odor-place association task. Separate ADAS-Cog-Odor and ADAS-Cog-13 scores were analyzed to identify the best measure of cognitive impairment. Olfactory function was operationally defined as the combined activation in the left hippocampus and entorhinal cortex during odor identification and familiarity. Additionally, neuroimaging was used to obtain data on hippocampal volume and entorhinal cortex thickness. A correlation analysis found that entorhinal cortex thickness was significantly correlated only with low olfactory function, which has been associated with preclinical AD, and is typically seen before hippocampal atrophy. Hippocampal volume, a hallmark pathology of AD, was significantly associated with the ADAS-Cog-Odor. Cognitive reserve was significantly associated with ADAS-Cog-13. Four regression analyses were used to discover the predictive ability of cognitive reserve, gender, and the listed AD biomarkers. A combination of markers was more predictive than individual markers. The sample was limited by size and range of years of education, thus these findings are preliminary; however, they strongly suggest that early brain pathology in the AD cascade is reflected in olfactory function and the ADAS-Cog-Odor. Future work will investigate whether the ADAS-Cog or the ADAS-Cog-Odor is a better predictor of conversion to MCI or AD. The current work suggests that gender and cognitive reserve may influence that prediction., San Diego State University
Cool under the spotlight: Inferring the photospheric temperature of Betelgeuse from optical spectroscopy
Red Supergiants (RSGs) are high-mass He-burning evolved stars predicted to be the progenitors of Type II-Plateau core-collapse supernovae. Betelgeuse (α Orionis), the most studied Galactic RSG, displayed an unexpected and rapid descent in brightness from October 2019 through March 2020. Its minimum in February 2020 is the deepest recorded for the star. Explanations for this unanticipated event include a dust occultation caused by a prior mass loss event, a drop in the surface temperature of the star, or a combination of the two causes. We present optical spectroscopy of Betelgeuse using low-resolution spectral data obtained at five epochs during and after the dimming event using the 1-m telescope at Mount Laguna Observatory. The purpose of this thesis is to derive the effective temperature (Tef f ) of Betelgeuse at all epochs by comparing the equivalent width (Wλ) of the temperature-sensitive 7054 ̊A line with those measured from PHOENIX synthetic model spectra. Our analysis finds a strong positive correlation between Betelgeuse’s photometric and spectroscopic behavior: Decreases in apparent brightness correlate directly with decreases in inferred temperature, with a globally averaged mean temperature drop of ∆Tef f = 149 ± 12 K inferred during the deepest part of the light-curve minimum compared with the Tef f inferred after Betelgeuse had returned to normal brightness. The PHOENIX models predict a decline in V-band magnitude of ∆Vest = 0.70 ± 0.04 from this temperature drop. Compared with the observed dimming of ∆Vobs = 1.13 ± 0.03, this suggests that at least a significant fraction of Betelgeuse’s dimming was caused by a Tef f change. Invoking dust from a prior mass-loss event could explain the difference between ∆Vest and ∆Vobs. However, imaging of Betelgeuse’s surface during the Great Dimming revealed an inhomogeneous brightness profile; its southern hemisphere became notably dimmer than the northern hemisphere. Our results, though unable to completely dismiss dust as a contributor, support the conclusion that the observed dimming could have resulted from Betelgeuse’s southern hemisphere cooling significantly, ∆T ≥ 250 K, while the northern hemisphere maintained a comparatively normal temperature., San Diego State University
Design of innovative flat panel phased array antennas with low cross-polarization and grating lobe suppression
Phased array antenna technology is most notably utilized in radar, satellite, and military communications. Although, in recent years the need for higher data rates has led to the development of 5G, which incorporates phased array antennas as a core piece of high-speed infrastructure. These applications require ease of deployability, beam agility, transmit/receive (Tx/Rx) capability, and signal integrity. This results in the need for highly integrated phased array antennas, i.e., a phased array with its aperture and respective beam forming architecture integrated into a single flat panel design. In this thesis, two integrated flat panel phased array antennas at X- and Ku-band will be explored which offers low-cross-polarization and grating lobe suppression capabilities, respectively. This first proposed design is a phased array antenna using the ADAR1000 chipset from Analog Devices. The single radiating element is a dual linear stacked patch antenna with 2.5 GHz of impedance matching bandwidth. The 8x8 stacked patch antenna is capable of at least ±30o scan angles for both polarizations enabling Tx/Rx capability. This array utilizes a mirrored cell of 4 antennas around a single chip. In turn, the mirrored configuration results in a cross-polarization of around 70 dB down from the co-polarization. Significantly reducing any noise that can be introduced by cross-polarized radiation. The fabricated array includes an integrated beam forming network and a suitable beam forming algorithm. The second design proposed in this thesis is a dual radiating modes (TM11 and TM21) based phased array antenna with 1λ inter-element spacing at Ku-band demonstrated using silicon beamforming RFICs and offers grating lobe suppression. The radiating element consists of concentric microstrip circular patch antennas supporting TM11 and TM21 modes. Excitation of both modes, with the proper amplitude and phase values, allows for the suppression of grating lobes present in the array radiation pattern. The array utilizes Anokiwave RFICs (AWMF-0117) which provides integration of the beamforming network with the antenna aperture. A suitable beamforming network was used to feed the RFICs. Grating lobe suppression ability of 30.8 dB with a first sidelobe level (SLL) of 15.2 dB is demonstrated along with digital modulation based over-the-air data throughput verification., San Diego State University
Interview with Albert W. Johnson Ph.D., 2009
An oral history conducted by Susan Resnik, Ph.D. with former San Diego State University Vice President of Academic Affairs and Professor of Biology Albert W. Johnson on June 29, 2009. In 1964, Johnson was offered a position as an associate professor of biology at San Diego State College. He taught ecology, genetics, botany, and biology. Then, in 1969, he became the Dean of the College of Sciences. In 1979, President Day officially appointed him Vice President of Academic Affairs. During his tenure as vice president, Johnson was extremely active in the faculty senate, and served as the liaison between administration and faculty. In addition to Johnson's university activities, he also served as a member on numerous boards and organizations, including the Board of Trustees of the Thorne Ecological Institute, the Environmental Advisory Committee of the San Diego Port Authority, the Research Committee of the San Diego Natural History Museum, the U.S. Polar Research Board, the Arctic Consortium of the United States, and the Institute of Arctic Biology. Albert Johnson retired in 1991. Johnson's oral history illustrates Johnson's childhood, education, and interest in plant ecology, particularly in colder climates. He also gives an excellent account of the development of San Diego State University, focusing on the creation of colleges, the role of the faculty senate, the implementation of the teacher-scholar model, and the changing structure of the administration. In addition, Doctor Johnson reflects on his participation in the arid lands agricultural program in Egypt and Israel. Although unrelated to his years at SDSU, Doctor Johnson gives an account of the "Firecracker Boys" and the Cape Thompson Research Project in conjunction with the Atomic Energy Commission and "nuclear engineering." Johnson also discusses his love of Mark Twain and his collection of Mark Twain books. This oral history was made possible by a grant from the John and Jane Adams Endowment for the Humanities and is part of the University Archives Multimedia Files Collection. Names mentioned during the interview include: John Marr, Malcolm A. Love, Glen Dumke, Arne Wick, Thomas Day, Brage Golding, Walter Waetjen, Jim Cobble, Hosni Mubarak, Shimon Peres, Edward Teller, Cape Thompson, Dan O'Neill, Susan Johnson, and Nancy Marlin., San Diego State University, There are many photographs of Johnson, but 004-019-184Z seems like a warm portrayal. The same is true of the presidents, et al. mentioned in this oral history--there are a lot of photographs.
Interview with Allan W. Anderson Ph.D., 2009
An oral history conducted by Susan Resnik, Ph.D. with former San Diego State University Professor Allan Anderson on July 17, 2009. In 1962, Doctor Anderson came to San Diego State College as an assistant professor of philosophy. In 1969, he helped to form the Department of Religious Studies. He became a professor in that department, specializing in Eastern religions. Anderson also conducted a series of interviews with Jiddu Krishnamurti, which aired on KPBS. Doctor Anderson received the California State Distinguished Teaching Award in 1970, and in 1982 and 1983 the Alumni Association awarded him with the Outstanding Faculty Award. He also formed Metanoia in La Jolla, a self-transformation study group. He retired in 1985, becoming Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies. Anderson's oral history documents his teaching philosophy, his love of language and literature, and his interests in Eastern philosophy and the wisdom tradition. Especially noteworthy are Doctor Anderson's readings of two poems from his children's book of poetry titled, Songs from the Mifflinger Sea and a Little Cove of Nonsense. Doctor Anderson also describes his ideal student-teacher relationship as well as his teaching methods. This oral history was made possible by a grant from the John and Jane Adams Endowment for the Humanities and is part of the University Archives Multimedia Files Collection. Names mentioned during the interview include: Mary Hicklin, Bruce Hanson, Alan Watts, Leslie Rhea Lewis, and Jiddu Krishnamurti., San Diego State University
Interview with Bonnie Zimmerman Ph.D., 2010
An oral history conducted by Susan Resnik, Ph.D. with former San Diego State University Professor and Administrator Bonnie Zimmerman on September 7, 2010. In 1978, Doctor Zimmerman accepted a position as a temporary lecturer at SDSU's groundbreaking Women's Studies department--the first Women's Studies program in the country. She went on to become a professor and eventually chair of the department, and came to be recognized as one of the nation's top lesbian scholars. Zimmerman became well known for her published articles, including "What Has Never Been: An Overview of Lesbian Feminist Literary Criticism," has been anthologized in the Norton Anthology of Theory & Criticism. She also published numerous books, including Lesbian Histories and Cultures: An Encyclopedia; The New Lesbian Studies: Into the 21st Century; Professions of Desire; Lesbian and Gay Studies in Literature; and The Safe Sea of Women: Lesbian Fiction, 1969 to 1989. She has also been an active member of the Modern Language Association and the National Women's Studies Association, of which she served as president in 1998 and 1999. From 2003 until 2010, she was associate Vice-president of Faculty Affairs, having previously served as the chair of the university senate. Doctor Zimmerman has received numerous awards throughout her career, including the Most Influential Faculty Awards in English and Comparative Literature in 1982, and in Women's Studies in 1985, 1990, and 1999. She was also the recipient of the Lambda Literary Award and Emily Toth Award in 1991, as well as the Positive Visibility Award from GLAAD in 1996. Her contribution and service to the university have been recognized in such honors as the Alumni Award for Outstanding Faculty Contribution to the University in 2003, and the Alumni Association Distinguished Faculty Award in 2004. Doctor Zimmerman retired in 2010. In her oral history, Zimmerman recollects her childhood and higher education, particularly her formative experience as a graduate student at SUNY Buffalo, where she discovered consciousness-raising groups and the women's liberation movement for the first time. She also reflects on her satisfying 32-year long career at San Diego State University. She recounts her job interview to be a lecturer in the nation's first-ever Women's Studies department, and talks about some of the landmark articles she published as a faculty member which led to her being recognized as a preeminent lesbian scholar. Finally, Zimmerman discusses her transition to administrative leadership roles within the university senate and Office of Faculty Affairs, and what it's like to be entering retirement. This oral history was made possible by a grant from the John and Jane Adams Endowment for the Humanities and is part of the University Archives Multimedia Files Collection. Names mentioned during the interview include: Patricia Huckle, Lois Kessler, Elsie B. Adams, Karl Keller, Edith Benkov, Liz Kennedy, Thomas Day, Lynne V. Cheney, and Ethan Singer., San Diego State University
Interview with Brage Golding Ph.D., 2006
An oral history conducted by Susan Resnik, Ph.D. with former San Diego State University President Brage Golding over April 26 - 28, 2006. In 1972, Doctor Golding began his tenure as San Diego State University's fifth president. As president, Golding changed San Diego State College to San Diego State University. He instituted a successful affirmative action program, and increased the standards of performance for faculty. Golding also helped get SDSU into the Western Athletic Conference. Despite these achievements, Golding had a cantankerous relationship with California Governor Jerry Brown and the California State University Chancellor. As a result, Golding left SDSU in 1977, and went on to serve as President for Kent State University, and later as president for Metropolitan State University in Denver, and Western State University in Gunnison, Colorado. Brage Golding's oral history documents his family, and his academic and professional activities, with a focus on his career at San Diego State University. Doctor Golding first discusses growing up in Chicago as well as his military experience during WWII. He then reflects on his chemical engineering professorship at Purdue University. Of particular significance is Golding's remembrances of helping to found, and serve as president for, Wright State University in Ohio. Golding details the genesis of the University, including its funding, building, and hiring of personnel. The second half of the printer focuses on Golding's career as president of San Diego State University, and his subsequent presidency at Kent State. He discusses the changes at San Diego State during his tenure, emphasizing the build up and success of the SDSU Research Foundation. Golding also examines his presidency at Kent State as well as his effectiveness at quelling student unrest on campus. This oral history was made possible by a grant from the John and Jane Adams Endowment for the Humanities and is part of the University Archives Multimedia Files Collection. Names mentioned during the interview include: Edmund Gerald Brown, Jr. and Glenn Dumke., San Diego State University
Interview with Earl Nation M.D., 2006
An oral history conducted by Susan Resnik, Ph.D. with former San Diego State University distinguished alumnus Earl Nation on May 16th and 17th, 2006. Earl Nation moved to San Diego in 1926. During that same year, he started classes at San Diego State College where he majored in chemistry. He graduated in 1931 and moved to Cleveland, Ohio to begin medical school at the Western Reserve School of Medicine. Upon graduation, Nation moved to Los Angeles and started a year-long rotating internship at the Los Angeles County Hospital. In 1941, Nation went into practice with H.C. Bumpus and Ben D. Massey in Pasadena, specializing in urology. In addition, he also was associate professor of urology at the University of Southern California, but retired in 1955. During Nation's medical career, he served as president of the Huntington Memorial Hospital, the Pasadena Dispensary, the Pasadena Medical Society, the California Urological Society, the Western Section of the American Urological Association (AUA), and the national American Urological Association. In 2002, the AUA awarded Doctor Nation the Ramon Guiteras Award. He was also a charter member of the American Osler Society. Nation retired from his practice in 1990, and remained active in the American Osler Society until his death in 2008. In his oral history, Nation discusses his early childhood in Texas, then San Diego. Of particular interest are Doctor Nation's remembrances of San Diego State College during the late 1920s and early 1930s, including San Diego State's move to its current location, parking issues, the chemistry fraternity, and jaunts to Tijuana for horse races and entertainment. Nation's account of medical school in Cleveland, Ohio during the Depression is insightful as well. The recording also includes his remembrances of the Los Angeles County General Hospital, his contraction of tuberculosis, his medical history scholarship, and his reflections on his urological practice. This oral history was made possible by a grant from the John and Jane Adams Endowment for the Humanities and is part of the University Archives Multimedia Files Collection. Names mentioned during the interview include: Joseph Newton Nation, Louisa Hayes, Joseph Madison Nation, Alma Emily Johnson, William Johnson, Ida Sockwell, Earl Johnson, Joe Nation, Bill Nation, Henrietta Johnson, Laurence M. Klauber, W. D. Work, Victor C. Meyers, Paul Mott, Albert Einstein, Charles Lindbergh, Richard Bing, and Carey Bumpus., San Diego State University, More keywords from transcript are under "Transcription" so they are searchable
Interview with Eugene Ray, 2014
An oral history conducted by Susan Resnik, Ph.D. with former San Diego State University Professor Eugene Ray on January 29, 2014. Eugene Ray began teaching Environmental Design at San Diego State in 1969. He founded and developed a unique program, which hosted guest lectures by prominent architects including Bruce Goff, Reyner Banham, Buckminster Fuller, and Archigram's Sir Peter Cook. The program generated many successful and notable professionals. Several students even assisted Ray in building his famous home, "The Silver Ship," in La Jolla, California. The professor's architectural works are influenced by the synchronicities of nature, a UFO sighting he had as a teenager, the many cultures represented in Louisiana, and an aspiration to develop affordable homes. In his oral history, Ray discusses his development of the curriculum for the Environmental Design program. He emphasizes teaching students leadership, and also talks about how affordable architecture set him apart from other architects and led his students to win awards. This oral history was made possible by a grant from the John and Jane Adams Endowment for the Humanities and is part of the University Archives Multimedia Files Collection. Names mentioned during the interview include: Gene Ray, Edgar Degas, Gladys Marie Staigg Ray, Elise Ray, Lucy Ray, Robert Heck, Patrick Staub, David Fobes, James Burke, de Gruy family, Marianne Conway Ray, Odilon Redon, John Lloyd Wright, Kotaro Nakamura, Chikado Terada, Ralph Bowman, George Staigg, Marianne Laub, Bill Laub, Randolph J. Ray, Jr., Ilsa Roco, Lloyd Roco, Derek Ray, Marian Ray, Ronald Eaton, John Messina, Tanya Messina, John Ray, and Francois Mignon., San Diego State University
Interview with Frea Sladek, 2012
An oral history conducted by Susan Resnik, Ph.D. with former San Diego State University Research Foundation CEO Frea Sanderlin Sladek on June 27, 2012. Ms. Sladek was selected as the fourth and only female CEO of the Research Foundation in 2000. Her contributions included the acquisition of properties for the future expansion and redevelopment of the SDSU campus, the planning and development of a marine science lab (adjacent to, and affiliated with, the Geological Survey), and attracting significantly more funding for faculty projects and research. Frea Sladek retired as CEO in 2006. She currently resides in El Cajon, CA. In her oral history, Sladek discusses her childhood, growing up in Orono, Maine. She was the daughter of an English professor (George Sanderlin) and a writer (O'Anita Sanderlin), She also speaks about moving to San Diego in the 1950s, her time at San Diego State, and teaching at Grossmont Community College. She then discusses her first job at the Research Foundation in 1969, managing Peace Corps training contracts through the International Project Center, and her eventual promotion to Associate General Manager in the 70s. The oral history also documents Sladek's many successes as CEO of the Research Foundation. This oral history was made possible by a grant from the John and Jane Adams Endowment for the Humanities and is part of the University Archives Multimedia Files Collection. Names mentioned during the interview include: Sheila Sanderlin, David Sanderlin, John Sanderlin, John Adams, Owenita Sanderlin, Robert Naradelli, Kathy Sladek, Teri Sladek, Steve Sladek, Lori Sladek, Debbie Sladek, Brage Golding, James W. Cobble, Robert Benshoff, Davene C. Gibson, Harry Albers, Steve Bloom, Jane Adams, June Burnett, John Wedemeyer, James R. Milliken, Fred Hansen, Shimon Peres, Albert W. Johnson, Eugene L. Stein, Timothy Hushen, Bonnie Stewart, Thomas Day, Bill Feeney, and Frank Sladek., San Diego State University
Interview with Harry Albers, 2012
An oral history conducted by Susan Resnik, Ph.D. with former San Diego State University Foundation General Manager Harry Albers on October 18, 2012. Beginning in 1978, Albers worked as general manager of the SDSU Foundation in addition to serving as vice president for University Relations and Development for three years. During his 21-year tenure as General Manager, Albers helped the Foundation's business grow from $13.5 million to over $143 million, including a huge increase in grants, contracts, and real property (e.g. Alvarado Medical Center). In his oral history, Albers recounts his childhood in New Jersey, attending the University of Pittsburgh (and becoming the first white student to room with an African-American student on campus) and Cornell University, as well as his career abroad as a physicist with the Smithsonian Institution in the Netherlands and Spain. Albers then discusses his time as general manager for the SDSU Research Foundation. This oral history was made possible by a grant from the John and Jane Adams Endowment for the Humanities and is part of the University Archives Multimedia Files Collection. Names mentioned during the interview include: Jean Ellen Cherry Albers, Rev. Walter P. Artioli, Edward H. Litchfield, George Crouch, David Halliday, Gary Prinz, Hans Bethe, Elizabeth Barringer, Jack Coffey, Thomas Day, Peter Drucker, John Hsia, Harry R. Albers, Jr., Steaphan H. Albers, Robert Albers, T. Ames Wheeler, Sidney R. Galler, David L. Wolper, Leo Goldberg, William T. Golden, and Robert R. Nardelli., San Diego State University, p. 61 of the transcript, "Wapo!" should be "Guapo!" Spanish for "handsome" or "beautiful."

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