Associated
Students Newsletter

This month, we honor Native American Heritage Month! Each year since November 1990, the nation pauses to recognize and celebrate the many contributions that Native Americans have made to our nations today. Read below as Derrick Herrera, A.S. Vice President of External Relations, shares his reflection on Native American Heritage Month:

“Native American Heritage Month is a time of learning for all communities. I have grown to learn that our story is constantly growing and that Native communities are creating history–not living in it. Native communities are demonstrating their resilience and strength daily.”

A.S. staff are invited to participate in events hosted by the Native American Heritage Month. Details regarding upcoming events will be posted on the Native Resource Center Programs Website.

As we approach the Nov. 5 election, A.S. Rock the Vote continues to ramp up efforts to ensure our campus community is informed and ready to participate. Here is some additional information in preparation for Tuesday: 

On-Campus Voting Centers

SDSU is hosting two convenient voting centers to make it easier for students, faculty and staff to participate:

Fowler Ballroom, SDSU Alumni Center

Open Nov. 2–5

• November 2–4: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
• Election Day, Nov. 5: 7 a.m.–8 p.m.

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Love Library

Open Nov. 2–5

• Nov. 2–4: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
• Election Day, Nov. 5: 7 a.m.–8 p.m.

Ballot Drop-Off

In addition, a ballot drop-off box is located on the first floor of the Student Union next to the University Information Center for anyone who prefers to drop off their mail-in ballots. If you are registered to vote in another county in California, you can still drop off your ballot in this box.

Same-Day Voter Registration in California

For those who haven’t registered yet, California offers same-day voter registration, meaning all eligible voters can register and vote all in one visit to a voting center. Same-day voter registration is available at both SDSU on-campus voting centers.

 

For more information on Rock the Vote resources, feel free to follow RTV on Instagram, or visit the RTV website.

I always liked music, but it wasn’t until I turned sixteen and started a band with my friends that I fell in love with music. Growing up in a small town in the Midwest, there wasn’t much to do for fun. Three of my high school friends and I decided to start a band to pass the time. I became the singer and bassist for our band, learning bass on my own as my friends were also teaching themselves how to play their own instruments.

After almost a year of practicing, we had our first gig at a bar in our hometown. We played our hearts out and after that we discovered a passion for performing music for others. We played bars, clubs, a couple weddings, a small festival and about anywhere that would let us play. During the time of learning cover songs and playing live, we started writing our own music. By the time we had enough songs, we headed into a small studio outside of Chicago to record an EP. This is where I fell in love with recording and all things audio. We continued to write and play until we disbanded after four years.

After that, I joined another band and continued to write my own music. I went to community college and received my Associate of Arts in Music. After a three year break from college, I went back and received my Bachelor of Music in Audio at SDSU. In recent years, I have started to put out my own music under my name, recruiting musician friends of mine to play on my songs while I cover vocals and bass duties.

Starting out as a musician, I was nearly tone-deaf and had no natural musical talent. It has taken me years of practice to better my musicianship skills. Playing in bands and studying music in college has made me a better singer and a better bass player. I continue to write and record music and perform karaoke when I get the chance. I’m hoping to get deeper back into music by performing again (perhaps I’ll join another band in the near future). But for now, I will gladly sing karaoke at any A.S. events!

This November, we celebrate our A.S. full-time employees for their milestone years of service to A.S. and SDSU. Thank you for your contributions and dedication to the mission of A.S.! 

30 Years

• Sara Sanders
  Children’s Center 

25 Years

• DeJuan Benford
  Aztec Recreation
• Aaron Woods
  Viejas Arena 

20 Years

• Deanne Fingerman
  Viejas Arena
• Imelda Rivera
  Children’s Center 

15 Years

• Christina Brown
  Associated Students
• David Peña
  Children’s Center
• Patty Rea
  Business Services

10 Years

• Jamie Alto
  Student Union
• Melinda Gonzalez
  Children’s Center
• Raquel Herriott
  Business Services
• Pam Mahlow
  Aztec Recreation
• Jamie McNally
  Viejas Arena

Mike Dils

1. What is your name and title?

   Mike Dils, Associate Director of Operations.

2. Which A.S. department do you work in?

   Viejas Arena. The Operations team works in maintenance, custodial and event conversions to ensure the Arena, Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre and Alumni Center are safe and ready to welcome guests.

3. How long have you worked for A.S.?

   A total of eight years with a 15 year gap between years seven and eight.

4. What do you like most about working for A.S.?

   The close-knit family atmosphere feels like my home away from home.

5. What was the last movie you saw? Thumbs up or thumbs down?

   Inside Out 2…Thumbs up.

6. Do you collect anything? What do you collect and why?

   Yes, I collect Star Wars figures because I refuse to completely grow up.

7. What is your favorite dessert? 

   Sticky Toffee Pudding with Dulce de Leche Ice Cream from Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen because it is perfection.

8. If you had to move to another country, which one would you choose? 

   I would move to Japan. The country is clean and beautiful while the people seem friendly and appear to have respect for one another. Also, because my spouse would want to come with me.

9. What is your favorite book? 

   “Tuesdays with Morrie” by Mitch Albom because it shows how all life experiences, good and bad, make up who you are as a person. There are lessons to be learned from everything.

10. What type of pets do you have and what are their names?

    We have a Bombay cat and her name is Jiji.
    

11. What is your favorite breakfast food?

    Three-egg omelet with ham and mushrooms plus a side of hashbrowns with sourdough toast. Heinz ketchup goes on the omelet and hashbrowns with grape jelly on the toast. This collection of items is comforting to me and available at most restaurants that serve breakfast.

12. “Most people don’t know that I like to…

    …listen to the same song over and over again in one sitting to memorize the lyrics.”

13. Which of your teachers is/was most memorable and why?

    My junior high school history teacher, Mr. Lowes. He presented Winston Churchill’s view that “history is often written by the victors” and to keep an open mind when interpreting historical events. Mr. Lowes challenged us to always be curious.

14. Would you rather speak all languages or be able to talk with animals?

    I would rather speak all languages because there is so much for me to learn from other cultures. I would like to be able to listen to other animals, while I think other animals are better off not listening to the human species.

15. What is one of your favorite things to do on the SDSU campus?

    Stand at the midlevel of the Open Air Theatre at dawn to feel the crisp and cool air while the sun rises over the pine trees.