School of Art + Design Shows Support Amidst Pandemic
Faculty and staff put together supply kits in an effort to aid essential workers
by Cristian Alvarez
April 28, 2020
April 28, 2020
It’s been more than a month since life as we know it came to a standstill. The United States, like the rest of the world, continues to fight against the coronavirus outbreak. Thousands of healthcare workers are battling on the front lines to save as many lives as possible.
Businesses and schools, including San Diego State University, have moved to the virtual space to practice social distancing. However limited access to campus didn’t stop the School of Art + Design from serving as a helping hand. The School recently donated supplies in the form of N-95 respirator masks, and general-purpose and nitrile gloves to healthcare workers in San Diego.
Sondra Sherman, an associate professor in jewelry and metalsmithing, first pitched the idea to the school’s director Annie Buckley. The school carries an inventory of protective equipment which is required for many of the courses offered. Since the university had classes transition to virtual platforms, much of the equipment went unused, creating a perfect opportunity to give supplies to medical workers desperately needing them.
“Like many people in our community, our faculty and staff wanted to do anything we could to help with the crisis of the pandemic, but being at home, we weren’t sure what to do,” Buckley said. “When we realized that our labs and studios had personal protective equipment that could be valuable to healthcare providers, everyone jumped at the chance to gather them and donate.”
Tom Fox, one of the school’s equipment technicians, played a large role in gathering supplies from Art + Design’s inner departments on campus and taking them to donation centers.
Ceramics lecturer Ashley Kim, who is also a registered nurse in San Diego county, said it was great to see the school step up and help during the pandemic. “I was quite touched and grateful for our willingness and generosity to donate all these supplies to healthcare,” she said.
Kim mentioned how the School of Art + Design is home to many thoughtful and generous people who are not afraid to come forward bringing new ideas to the table.
“I deeply appreciate the generous spirit of Art and Design. We are all in this together and the donations will not only protect health care workers but will keep us healthy so we take care of the affected patients by the pandemic,” Kim said.
In addition to donating supplies, School of Art + Design faculty, staff, and students are currently making fabric masks at home which will be donated to essential workers still active on the university’s campus.
The content within this article has been edited by Lizbeth Persons.
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