International student Xuejiao (Jaqi) Jiang of the People's Republic of China and Ryan Souza of Ripon r

Drawing high praise for its commitment to provide programs that graduate qualified nurses in a time of serious need, the growing California State University, Stanislaus Nursing Department has received a valued stamp of endorsement at the national level.

Boosted by a heavy demand for online classes, enrollment for summer and fall sessions at the California State University, Stanislaus Stockton Center is on a sharp upswing.

With six online e-learning classes in Business Administration and Teacher Education at or near capacity and 11 on-site sessions filling fast, enrollment for the Stockton Center's summer session that opens on June 11 is up 39 percent over the final 2006 count. CSU Stanislaus has enrolled 374 Stockton students for the summer sessions so far compared to a final count of 273 last year.

The Agricultural Studies program at California State University, Stanislaus, has received a two-year grant of $240,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to increase the recruitment and retention of underrepresented students and provide them with hands-on learning experiences that will prepare them for careers in food and agricultural industries. The USDA accepts only 20 percent of grant applications for these programs.

Summer Arts at California State University, Stanislaus will open with a bang in the skies in July, starting with the Fantastic Fourth fireworks program and then moving on to the Annual Shakespeare Festival featuring a pair of theatre productions.

California State University, Stanislaus Professor Mark Bender, Chair of the Agricultural Studies Department, was o

California State University, Stanislaus student Wendy Olmstead, a graduate student from Kirkland Lake, Ontario, Canada, who is pursuing her master's degree in Ecology and Sustainability, has been selected by the Phi Kappa Phi academic honor society to attend its annual national convention from August 9-12 in Orlando, Florida.

The Department of Theatre is pleased to present As You Like It during the second annual Shakespeare Festival at California State University, Stanislaus. Outdoor performances will be held Thursday through Sunday at the University Amphitheatre beginning July 12, and concluding July 29. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. for picnicking. Pre-show entertainment will begin at 7:30 p.m., followed by the 8 p.m. performance. Ticket prices are $10 general admission; $8 University students, seniors, CSU faculty and staff; and $5 ages 16 and under.

E & J Gallo Winery of Modesto has continued its generous tradition of giving, donating