Golden Gate University Celebrates 50 Years of Public Administration Education with Panel "From Katrina to Baltimore: Effectively Responding to Emerging Public Administration Challenges"

SAN FRANCISCO, July 29, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Golden Gate University (GGU) will celebrate 50 years of public administration education on August 27 with a commemorative event featuring the panel "From Katrina to Baltimore: Effectively Responding to Emerging Public Administration Challenges."  The panel will address the heightened state of racial tensions across the country and increased natural disasters impacting communities, focusing on community rebuilding, leadership creation and preparedness.

The panelists include the following GGU Alumni:

• Paul Figueroa, Assistant Chief, Oakland Police Department
• Kerry D. Jackson, Head of Security, Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District
• Carlos Sanchez, Lieutenant, San Francisco District Attorney's Office

The Honorable Ruth Astle, administrative law judge for the State of California, will moderate the discussion.

"The Baltimore riots resulted in 144 vehicle fires, 15 structural fires and 200 arrests. Natural disaster, Hurricane Katrina, displaced between 645,000 to 1.1 million Louisiana residents, leading many to scramble for resources," said Public Administration Chair and Professor Joaquin "Jay" Gonzalez, who developed the panel's theme. "A discussion on prevention is necessary as most actions are based on reaction. The panelists are not only GGU alumni but also seasoned first responders. We want to take the lead in educating the minds and hearts of a new generation of law enforcers and security experts. Our role at GGU is to educate leaders who make smart and practical decisions to address real-world challenges."

GGU's Master of Public Administration program began in the fall of 1963. GGU was one of the first higher education institutions in the Bay Area to offer both undergraduate and graduate part-time programs for law enforcement personnel.  Over the past 50 years, the public administration alumni base has grown to more than 7,000 members, including many police chiefs and other community leaders. "We are very proud of our long history and tradition of contribution to public administration," said Ageno School of Business Dean Paul Fouts.

On April 25, 1980, then San Francisco Mayor Dianne Feinstein commended the GGU Public Administration program by proclaiming that it was "Golden Gate University Day," and naming the School of Public Administration's Dean Randy Hamilton "vital in sustaining close cooperation with The City in a variety of efforts to help improve management skills." Feinstein credited Hamilton and then GGU President Otto Butz for exemplary leadership that had benefitted the entire city of San Francisco.

The Executive Master of Public Administration program launched in 1999 and now includes concentrations such as Law Enforcement & Security and Judicial Administration. 

Professor Gonzalez was appointed to the San Francisco Immigrant Rights Commission by then Mayor Willie L. Brown, Jr. a month after the 9/11 attacks to help prevent immigrant backlash. Gonzalez served for close to a decade and in 2005 was awarded a Special Congressional Recognition for public service by then House Leader Nancy Pelosi.

The 50^th anniversary celebration will be held from 5pm - 7:30pm at Golden Gate University, 536 Mission St., 5^th Floor. In addition to the panel of civic leaders, the event will honor alumni and faculty from the past 50 years.  Admission is free, but space is limited.  To reserve your spot, RSVP at www.ggu.edu/celebrate50.

Golden Gate University 50^th Public Administration Education Celebration and Commemorative Panel "From Katrina to Baltimore: Effectively Responding to Emerging Public Administration Challenges"

August 27, 2015
5pm-7:30pm
Golden Gate University
536 Mission Street, 5^th floor

About Golden Gate University

For more than 114 years, non-profit Golden Gate University (GGU) has been helping adults achieve their professional goals by providing high quality, practice-based undergraduate and graduate educational programs in accounting, law, taxation, business and related professions in an innovative and challenging learning environment that embraces professional ethics and diversity. GGU is accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

Media contact: Silvia Baroni, [email protected], 415-442-6522

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150729/249334

SOURCE Golden Gate University

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