President Peter Smith – State of the University Message

Although this web site is normally reserved for reviews of musical events on the Monterey Peninsula, an event of unusual significance took place yesterday afternoon that requires mention here. President Peter Smith delivered his annual “State of the University” message to an SRO audience of faculty, staff and students in a new theater facility at California State University Monterey Bay (CSUMB).

This occasion marked the official opening of a new theater on CSUMB’s campus. It is appropriately named “World Theater, ” for it is an impressive, state-of-the-art, world-class facility. This 500-seat theater has it all – excellent stage, well ranked seats with excellent sight lines, the finest equipment for sound amplification and lighting, and a whole series of ancillary rooms and backstage facilities serving a multitude of purposes.

Consistent with the University’s vision of multi-cultural, non Euro-centric education, the first musical event sampling to be heard in this new theater was not the dulcet tones of a Beethoven string quartet, but the finger-snapping, hand-clapping sonorities of CSUMB’s Gospel Choir led by MPA (Music & Performing Arts) faculty member Paulette Gissendanner.

As a preamble to President Smith’s address, News & Public Information Officer, Holly White, kicked off the afternoon’s event by screening a ten-minute video promoting CSUMB and designed as a recruiting video to be sent to all students applying for admission to the California State University System. The most remarkable aspect of this video is that it is thoroughly professional, and it that it was produced entirely on campus utilizing the facilities of the Theater and Tele-dramatic Arts (TAT) Department and the talents of CSUMB’s faculty, staff and students. Rather than featuring faculty and administrators extolling the virtues of this august institution, the video made ample use of currently enrolled students showing what the campus is like for an average student. This is a very attractive video and does its job well.

I would like to be able to report that the second musical event of the afternoon, following the Gospel Singers. was the mellifluous voice of University President Peter Smith in his “State of the University” message. Actually, Mr. Smith sounded a trifle hoarse, as though he were recovering from a cold, however the excellent amplification system made up for any resonance deficiencies and we heard him loud and clearly.

His message was also loud and clear, “the lifeblood of opportunity can only be delivered to all parts of our society by a strong vessel, and that vessel is education.” CSUMB’s vision is of a new kind of education with a strong emphasis on learning that will be useful in the 21st century, a learning that promotes a spirit of community responsibility, a learning that promotes collaboration and civility, and a thorough understanding of how technology can make us more useful citizens in the future.

President Smith acknowledged that the accomplishments of the university are many, although there will be struggles ahead as the university shifts from federal to state funding. He applauded our new State Governor, Gray Davis, who has proclaimed “that education is the first, second and third priority for his first term in office.”

Not all has been wine and roses during the past five years. Smith admitted “he didn’t always get it right.” And the administrative restructuring process, which is continuing at CSUMB, demonstrates that all institutions are subject to growing pains. But it seems to be a healthy and necessary process.

Among his final words were, “You know what is the state of the University.” And there was no question about his approval ratings, for an enthusiastic audience responded warmly to his remarks with applause and cheers. There was the feeling that everyone in the audience, whether faculty, staff or student, felt an overwhelming pride for having been a part of the inaugural years of what is surely destined to become the jewel in the crown of California’s State University system.