Aztec Timeline: A Chronology of All Things San Diego State > 2000

2000

Marjorie Martin (class of 1945) wins a Tony Award for producing the Broadway revival of Moon for the Misbegotten.

2001

The magazine Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education ranks San Diego State as the top university in the state and fifth in the nation for Hispanics.  In addition, SDSU is #10 in the nation for degrees awarded to minorities; over 38% of the university’s total B.A.s went to minority students.

Tim Murris (class of 1971) is appointed by President George W. Bush as Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission. (June 4, 2001)

2002

SDSU’s new transnational, triple-degree program (CAMEXUS—Canada, US, and Mexico) is the nation’s first in international business.

Kaplan ranks SDSU #22 in the nation on its list of dream universities.

Six different SDSU alumni carry the Olympic Torch on its way to Salt Lake City.

2003

SDSU’s International Business Program, the largest undergraduate international business program in the country, is ranked as the nation’s #1 study-abroad program by the Institute of International Education.

The pedestrian bridge over College Avenue opens.  It is a suspension style crossing, approximately 230 feet long and 45 feet high, that provides direct access to the main campus from the residence halls, parking garages, and commercial establishments on the east side of College Avenue. (September 2, 2003)

2004

Lalo Alcaraz (class of 1987) launches his syndicated comic strip La Cucaracha in 65 U.S. newspapers, including the San Diego Union-Tribune.

2006

California’s Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nations gives SDSU $5.5 million, establishing a national center of tribal gaming research that offers the country’s first tribal gaming degree program.

Tracy Jarman (class of 1978) is named as the first female Fire Chief of the San Diego Fire Department.

San Diego Magazine names Gail Naughton, Dean of SDSU’s College of Business Administration, “Woman of the Year.”

2007

SDSU is named the nation’s #1 small research university, according to Academic Analytics’ Faculty Scholarly Productivity Index.  It will hold this honor for four consecutive years (2007-2010).

SDSU opens the $10 million Aztec Aquaplex that features three heated pools and is open year-round.

The Chronicle of Higher Education names SDSU’s clinical psychology program #1 in the nation.

2008

A record 61,500 students apply to San Diego State.  Only two universities nationwide receive more applicants.

SDSU’s International Security and Conflict Resolution (ISCOR) major is the first of its kind in California.

SDSU wins its first Governor’s Historic Preservation Award for restoring and relocating D. Genevieve Burgeson Bredo’s (class of 1936) WPA-Era mural, “NRA Packages.”

2009

Enrique Morones (class of 1979), internationally renowned advocate for the rights of immigration populations and founder of the Border Angels, is awarded Mexico’s National Human Rights Award by President Felipe Calderon.

SDSU establishes the nation’s first undergraduate sustainable tourism curriculum, a set of courses designed to support the economic viability of a region’s industry while respecting the local ecology, resources, and culture.

Four hundred and fifty SDSU students participate in a dodgeball game at the Aztec Recreation Center game, setting the new Guinness World Record for the world’s largest game of dodgeball.  The event included independent adjucators and was videotaped to ensure validity. (September 5, 2009)