UCSD Chooses Staff Idol
Five Singers Compete During Campus’ First American Idol-Style Contest

By Ioana Patringenaru

Aug. 28, 2007

Five contestants vied for the Staff Idol title. From left to right: Lovella Cacho, Jamie Nye, Trisa Colon, Joyce McHugh and Katie Spencer, who won the competition.

“Freedom!” “Freedom!” “Freedom!” Katie Spencer’s voice rose over the Muir Quad Friday as she sang Aretha Franklin’s 1968 hit “Think.” People in the audience rose to their feet too, clapping, cheering and singing along.

Spencer faced an audience of about 3,000 during UCSD’s first-ever Staff Idol competition, modeled on Fox’s American Idol. The event was the highlight of this year’s All-Staff Picnic on Aug. 24. Before the contest began, Chancellor Marye Anne Fox greeted staff members. “I am so pleased to see so many of you here,” she said. “I am told we’re going to have some fabulous entertainment coming up.” She wore a Hawaiian shirt for the occasion. She later served up ice cream and tossed T-shirts to the audience during a prize give-away. David Humphrey, from the musical "Forever Plaid" acted as master of ceremonies for the competition.

Meanwhile, staff members enjoyed burgers, teriyaki chicken, potato salad and watermelon, among other goodies. They also listened to the five Staff Idol finalists, who, as Fox promised, didn’t disappoint. They had earned their right to sing during the picnic after more than 35,000 votes were cast online. Now, the singer who received the loudest ovation from the audience would win the coveted Idol title. Spencer, whose performance seemed to have a rousing effect, topped her four rivals. She said her success took her by surprise.  “I’m so amazed at this,” she said. “I am so excited.”

Fans cheered for their favorite singer.

She started singing in college. But since moving to San Diego, the only singing she did was in the shower. She signed up for the Staff Idol competition because she hoped it would help her meet other musicians. Friday, she took home a cornucopia of prizes: tickets to the musical “Chicago,” the San Diego Bay Wine and Food Festival and to opening night the La Jolla Playhouse, as well as season tickets to UCSD Theatre and Dance, plus a ticket to the Staff Association’s Holiday Pancake Breakfast.

Spencer and her rivals faced a panel of three judges, including Gail Gipson, from the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Marjorie Avalos Hardy, from the department of chemistry and biochemistry, and Mike Hausberg, from the La Jolla Playhouse.

Police Chief Orville King sang Only Fools Rush In.

Hausberg decided to channel Simon Cowell and constantly needled contestants and the audience. “I hope talent gets better around here,” he told Lovella Cacho after she sang her heart out in “Love Will Keep Us Together.” Trisa Colon’s rendition of “Let’s Give Them Something to Talk About” didn’t measure up either. Joyce McHugh’s performance of “I’m the Only One” by Melissa Etheridge? “I thought it was rather karaoke.” Jamie Nye’s version of “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor? “That was fantastic -- fantastically bad.” He also dismissed Spencer with a simple “I don’t think the audience likes you,” for which he was booed loudly.

Hausberg didn’t get to skewer Police Chief Orville King, who wasn’t competing Friday, but sang Elvis Presley’s “Only Fools Rush In” with some of the aspiring staff idols acting as back-up dancers. “I love these girls,” he said. Judging by the loud applause they got Friday, the audience loved them too.

Staff Idol contestant Jamie Nye. Staff Idol contestant Trisa Colon. The audience cheering Spencer on. Chancellor Marye Anne Fox applauded. Fox served ice cream during the picnic. She also gave away T-shirts. Photography by Kevin Walsh.