Documentary filmmakers will benefit from having Professor Emeritus John Hewitt’s new book with them from the idea stage to production, editing and distribution.

Professor William Corbett-Jones has inspired hundreds of emerging pianists and thousands of music lovers throughout his 42-year-tenure at SF State. At 3pm April 26, the University will honor him with a concert celebrating his 80th birthday.

Graduate student Maiko Nishio, a flutist and pianist, is among 10 semifinalists in the KDFC-FM Classical Star Search. Vote for her early and often on the KDFC Web site, through April 26. A free Club KDFC membership is required to vote.

The finals for the 2009 Classical Star Search will be held May 11 at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Judges include Donald Runnicles of the San Francisco Opera, cellist Zuill Bailey and KDFC’s Dianne Nicolini. The winner receives a cash prize of $1,500.

A graduate student transforms his tutoring work at an elementary school into a filmmaking project. A professor launches a successful program that brings students to high schools, teaching industrial design. Each won an SF State Community Service Learning Award, presented at a luncheon April 16.

Three faculty members in the Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts Department have won four top awards from the national Broadcast Education Association Festival of Media Arts competition.

Creative Arts Technical Services employee Diana Rumjahn has published her first children’s book, “Charlie and Mama Kyna,” featuring characters from her renowned short film “Going Home.”

Professor Joel Schechter’s recent scholarly work has focused on Yiddish theatre, leading him into the world of comics. Working with underground comix artist Spain Rodriguez, the Theatre Arts professor has developed a series of comic strips, each focusing on a Yiddish actor, writer or political activist.

Professor Emeritus Arthur Asa Berger can now add “hall of famer” to his prolific curriculum vita. He will be inducted into the University of Iowa School of Journalism and Mass Communication Hall of Fame later this month.

Check out the April 2009 edition of the Creative Arts E-Lert, the official e-mail newsletter of the SF State College of Creative Arts. This issue highlights upcoming events including the Morrison Artists Series concert with Cuarteto Latinoamericano and Manuel Barrueco, the madcap opera ”The Bartered Bride,” and the annual Master of Fine Arts Thesis Exhibition. The newsletter also includes news on a BECA alum hired as an NBC News correspondent, the independent film “Fruit Fly” starring two alumni and more.

At this year’s Northern California Broadcasters Association job fair, Wanetta Doty realized that her career had come full circle. The graduate of the Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts Department was no longer the aspiring student seeking an entry-level job. She now sat behind the table at the KGO-AM 810 booth, talking to today’s students.

Less than two years after “Colma: The Musical” became an indie film sensation, much of the same singing cast returns for “Fruit Fly,” including breakout star and Theatre Arts alumna L.A. Renigen.