Welcome to Cal State Fullerton Commencement highlights, featuring members of the Class of 2008. The following is a news release prepared in advance of the May 17-18 ceremonies.

Thesis Winners Address Community Issues

Studies on Seniors and the Homeless Garner Giles T. Brown Award

May 16, 2008 :: No. 267

Zia U. Salim of Mission Viejo conducted research on the impacts of downtown revitalization on LA's homeless; Kimary L. Farrar of Irvine studied ways to improve the quality of life for seniors.

The two Cal State Fullerton alumni are being honored tonight with the Giles T. Brown Outstanding Thesis Award. The honor, named after the emeritus associate vice president for academic affairs, dean of graduate studies and professor of history, will be presented during the university's Honors Convocation held on the eve of commencement ceremonies May 17-18.

Zia U. Salim

Salim, who is participating in commencement ceremonies Saturday, May 17, earned his master's degree in geography in January. His thesis is a case study on the effects of redevelopment on the homeless in downtown L.A.

"The hyper-marginalized status of the homeless makes them particularly vulnerable to processes of urban restructuring, including downtown renewal," said the 29-year-old. "There are direct and indirect impacts on the homeless, and I conclude that understanding these impacts can help mitigate negative effects.

"Los Angeles is almost a laboratory - a prototype for the contemporary sprawled-out city," Salim continued. "There is an unstated but real conflict over space and the use of land at work in the area, and accompanying this conflict is a lack of understanding of the impacts of downtown revitalization on the homeless. Once the impacts are better understood, policymakers and others can potentially make decisions that minimize the negative and maximize the positive impacts."

Homelessness, Salim said, "hurts us. It has social and economic costs that involve and affect the greater society. Conversely, revitalization has social and economic benefits. If revitalization could be more equitable, these benefits could extend to more people in the greater society."

Salim said his research was the result of his own experiences. He spent 15 years growing up in Saudi Arabia and in the United States, "an experience that exposed a stark contrast in living conditions, not only between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, but also with

in Saudi Arabia itself.

"I lived in a middle-class neighborhood, where pockets of squatters occupied vacant land, and I attended a school where my classmates owned large villas and had drivers, maids and nannies," he added. "These contrasts have left a subconscious mark on me."

That's why, Salim said, he wants to continue researching social inequality.

In his nomination letter for Salim, Thomas P. Klammer, dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, noted: "Salim's thesis does an outstanding job of integrating two strands of urban geography research, homelessness and urban revitalization, and exploring the conflicts that arise as these two compete. His work is important for its possible policy implications."

Kimary L. Farrar

Farrar, 48, graduated last year with her master's degree in kinesiology. She said she was motivated to study the functioning and interactions of the sensory systems of seniors because "I love working with older adults."

Her thesis is a study of 101 seniors who were given nine tests of sensory impairment.

"I found that the motor system (strength, power) had a higher emphasis in research in relation to balance, so I saw a need to explore this area more," Farrar said. "The research on balance that is now being performed is crucial to healthy aging, wellness and quality of life. My thesis adviser, Debra Rose, had such knowledge, passion and love for improving the quality of life for older adults that her excitement spilled over, and I also became impassioned with trying to make a difference in the field of gerokinesiology."

Farrar, who has been a chiropractor and teacher of that practice at the Southern California University of Health Science for 18 years, said she now is seeking a teaching post in kinesiology at the community college level or corporate work involving health and physical activity for seniors.

In her nomination letter for Farrar, Roberta E. Rikli, dean of the College of Health and Human Development, pointed out that Farrar's thesis addresses a very important and timely topic - that of finding ways to improve quality of life and reduce health care costs for the rapidly increasing number of older adults in our society."

Last year, Farrar presented her thesis at the Gerontology Society of America's national conference, considered the most prestigious of conferences in the field of aging.

Photos: Available online at www.fullerton.edu/newsphotos

Media Contacts:
Mimi Ko Cruz, Public Affairs, 657-278-7586 or mkocruz@fullerton.edu

Online Publications
Inside
Titan Magazine