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Dec. 4, 2003
DH-03 TK 074
Contact: Thomas Knox
(310) 243-3367
tknox@csudh.edu

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

California State University, Dominguez Hills
Honors Former Faculty Member and Dean
With Scholarship Dinner and Dance

CARSON, Calif. – The California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) Black Faculty and Staff Association (BFSA) will hold its “2nd Annual Evening of Elegance” scholarship dinner and dance on Friday, Dec. 12, in the Carson Community Center, 3 Civic Plaza, Carson beginning at 6:30 p.m.

The Evening of Elegance dinner and dance is being held in the memory of Deborah Christine Sears, former associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, who lost her battle to cancer at the age of 47 in 1996. Sears served on the CSUDH faculty for 20 years. Following her death, colleagues on campus raised funds to create a scholarship in her memory. Proceeds from the evening’s activities will endow the Deborah Sears Scholarship Fund.

Sears, a published author, was highly regarded by many of her colleagues and students on the campus of Cal State Dominguez Hills. Respected by students and peers, she devoted her academic career to the goal of helping students reach their full potential and live out their dreams upon graduation from the University.

“Debby was truly a campus treasure,” said Joyce Johnson, CSUDH professor of English and president of the BFSA. “She was passionate about education and our students. I remember her being led by the belief that higher education is not simply an endeavor that only a few, for social or economic reasons could participate.” Johnson said the ethically and culturally diverse student body at Cal State Dominguez Hills reflects the changing face of America and the face of students that drove Deborah Sears in her pursuit of excellence in education.

Sears earned her doctorate in psychology from Princeton University in 1978 and her undergraduate and masters of arts degrees from New York University in 1971 and 1973 respectively.

Please contact Loretta Adikhai at (310) 243-3337 for ticket information. Tickets must be purchased no later than Tuesday, Dec. 9.

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