THE BEACH CONNECTION A PUBLICATION FOR MEMBERS OF THE CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, LONG BEACH ALUMNI ASSOCIATION • SPRING/SUMMER 2014
BEACH PRIDE
& Tradition
THE BEACH
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
CONNECTION
Kathy Bazarian ’72, B.A., History Teacher Specialist, Downey Unified School District (ret.)
Staff: Janice Y. Hatanaka, ’84 Associate Vice President, Alumni Relations and University Relations Gay Arakawa Executive Director, Alumni Association Meghan Adamovic Coordinator, Alumni Programs Janet Gonzales, ’08, ’11 Coordinator, Alumni Programs Noemi Guevara, ’08 Administrative Coordinator, Alumni Relations and University Relations Elva M. Hermosillo, ’05 Assistant to the Executive Director Sally Schliesmayer, ’87 Director, Special Events Ilana Tel-Oren, ‘11 Coordinator, Student and Recent Alumni Programs Helen Thomas Assistant Director, Alumni Communications and Marketing Mission Statement The mission of the California State University, Long Beach Alumni Association is to: assist and advance the alumni in the pursuit of excellence, continue the friendships formed in the university, build strong and mutually beneficial ties between the university and its diverse alumni, promote goodwill in the community and create a dynamic alumni program that will stimulate interest, build loyalty, increase involvement and generate support for the university. Please note your name, address, phone number, major and year of graduation may be used by California State University, Long Beach for the development of universityaffiliated marketing programs. If you do not wish to have this information used, please notify the Alumni Relations Office in writing at: CSULB Alumni Relations, 1250 Bellflower Boulevard, Long Beach, CA 90840-8101; by e-mail to alumni@csulb.edu; or by phone at 562.985.5252 (toll-free at 888.883.0007) or by FAX at 562.985.5488. In addition to meeting fully its obligations of nondiscrimination under federal and state law, CSULB is committed to creating a community in which a diverse population can learn, live and work in an atmosphere of tolerance, civility and respect for the rights and sensibilities of each individual, without regard to economic status, ethnic background, veteran status, political views, sexual orientation or other personal characteristics or beliefs. Design, photography and editorial assistance provided by University Relations and Communications, 2014. A publication of the CSULB Alumni Association.
Dear members: As president of your Alumni Association, it was my honor to represent alumni on the Presidential Search Advisory Committee to select our next university president. It was an enlightening experience where all constituent representatives—students, faculty, staff and the community—interviewed the finalists and shared their perspectives during the deliberations. I’m pleased that the CSU Board of Trustees chose Jane Close Conoley as the seventh president of CSULB. She will continue to build upon the excellence that her predecessors—including King Alexander, Robert Maxson, Stephen Horn—established at The Beach. We look forward to working with Dr. Conoley and supporting her initiatives. We hope that you’ll have the opportunity to meet Dr. Conoley at a future event. Meanwhile, please enjoy this issue of The Beach Connection. Included among the spotlight profiles are professor emeritus John McConnell, one of the early faculty members who is still a very active volunteer and supporter of the Alumni Association and 49er Athletics; and Stephen Mezyk, professor of physical chemistry, who has won numerous accolades from the university, his students and his colleagues.
2014
Distinguished Alumni
Nominated by their respective college deans, these recipients are recognized for distinction and leadership in their professions, communities and in our university. They will be honored at the Alumni Awards Banquet on May 8 at the Long Beach Hyatt Regency and at their respective college commencement ceremony in late May. The CSULB Alumni Association is proud to announce the 2014 Distinguished Alumni.
College of the Arts Alumna, Film and Electronic Arts Supervising Sound Editor, Formosa Group Two-time Academy Award Recipient, Sound Editing
Karen Baker Landers
College of Business administration 1977, B.S., Accountancy Supervisor, Second District Orange County Board of Supervisors
John M.W. Moorlach
College of Health and human services 2007, B.S., Occupational Studies Chief of Police, Los Angeles Police Department
CHARLIE BECK
College of Liberal Arts 1969, B.A., Speech Communications Senior Director, Culture & Heritage, Global Talent Management, NIKE, Inc.
NELSON FARRIS
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Thank you again for your support. GO BEACH! College of Education
College of Liberal Arts
PATRICIA ANN FARBER
1967, B.A., English 1983, M.A., Education Administration Credentials: Standard, Administrative Services, Mathematics Algebra Teacher, Desert Sands Unified School District (ret.)
CLYDE E. KENDZIERSKI
College of Engineering
College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
1984, M.S., Electrical Engineering Founder & CEO, Golden Star Technology
JP WANG
College of Health and human services 1980, Master of Public Administration President & CEO, St. Mary Medical Center of Long Beach
THOMAS A. SALERNO
1969, B.A., Political Science 1972, M.A., Economics Managing Director, Financial Solutions Group LLC
1979, B.S., Marine Biology 1983, M.S., Biology President & CEO, Trius Therapeutics
JEFFREY L. STEIN
To help honor these recipients by being a sponsor with a congratulatory ad and/or to attend the gala, please see page 4 on the Upcoming Alumni Events or contact Gay Arakawa, executive director, at 562.985.5252 or alumni@csulb.edu.
UPCOMING Alumni EVENTS
2014 ALUMNI AWARDS BANQUET Hyatt Regency, Long Beach Thursday, May 8 5:30-9 p.m. $150 This annual gala showcases and celebrates the excellence of CSULB and honors the newest class of Distinguished Alumni; Outstanding Graduates, Professor and Staff Member; and the President’s Distinguished Service Award recipient. For a listing of the 2014 Distinguished Alumni, see page 3. To RSVP, contact Noemi Guevara at 562.985. 7536 or noemi.guevara@csulb.edu. CONCERTS IN THE GROVE 2014
DIRTBAGS VS. UCLA BASEBALL Blair Field Sunday, April 6 11:30 a.m. barbecue meal 1 p.m. first pitch Member: $25 lunch/game; $20 lunch only Non-member: $30 lunch/game; $25 lunch only Children (3-12): $15 lunch/game; $12 lunch only
Soroptimist House at CSULB Saturdays, July 12 & 26; August 2 & 16 6 p.m. open for picnic dinners 7:30 p.m. show $30 Bring a picnic dinner then enjoy a lively concert under the stars! Now in its 38th season, Concerts in the Grove is a Long Beach tradition. Be ready to dance when you attend! Contact Janet Gonzales at 562.985.7022 or visit www.csulb.edu/alumni/events. Tickets go on sale May 1.
Coach Troy Buckley takes the helm for his third season after having recruited one of the top-ranked classes in the nation and returning key starters. The Dirtbags take on the Bruins on the road to capturing the Big West championship in this key grudge match. Enjoy lunch on the third baseline and watch warm-ups before taking your seat for the first pitch. For more information, contact Janet Gonzales at 562.985.7022 or janet.gonzales @csulb.edu. Tickets can be purchased online at www.csulb.edu/alumni/events.
CARPENTER PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
EI-ICHI NEGISHI, PH.D. University Student Union Ballrooms Tues., Apr. 8 11 a.m.-noon Free
LES BALLETS TROCKADERO DE MONTE CARLO Carpenter Performing Arts Center Sat., Mar. 22, 8 p.m. Sun., Mar. 23, 2 p.m. $45 reserved seating
Dr. Negishi received the Nobel Prize in chemistry in 2010 for “Palladium-Catalyzed Cross Couplings in Organic Synthesis.” He has been a researcher at Purdue University for more than 30 years and is best known for his discovery of the Negishi Coupling. For further information, contact Linda Sherwood at 562.985.2716.
The all-male ballet company—delicately stuffed into tutus and mansized toe shoes—returns after three sold-out appearances to deliver hilarious twists on classical ballet. A worldwide phenomenon, the comedy of “the Trocks” is only outmatched by their technical prowess.
EVENTS
For an expanded list of CSULB events this season, please visit the following Web pages for detailed information.
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION EVENTS Visit www.csulb.edu/alumni or call 562.985.5252. CAREER DEVELOPMENT CENTER Visit www.careers.csulb.edu or call 562.985.4151. CARPENTER PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Visit www.carpenterarts.org or call 562.985.7000.
EARL BURNS MILLER JAPANESE GARDEN
COLE CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC Visit www.csulb.edu/coleconservatory or call 562.985.5408.
EARL BURNS MILLER JAPANESE GARDEN Visit www.csulb.edu/~jgarden or call 562.985.8885.
PAGEANT OF THE MASTERS 2014
49ER ATHLETIC EVENTS CSULB Alumni Association members receive $2 off the lowest priced ticket by presenting their membership card at the box office on game day.
Festival of the Arts, Laguna Beach Sunday, July 20 6 p.m. dinner at Tivoli Terrace 8:30 p.m. show Member: $130 dinner/show; $150 dinner/show/bus Non-member: $150 dinner/show; $170 dinner/show/bus
No other discounts or promotions apply. Visit www.longbeachstate.com or call 562.985.4949.
Everyone loves a good mystery, especially in the world of art. You don’t have to be Sherlock Holmes to figure out “whodunit” when “The Art Detective,” the theme of the 2014 Pageant of the Masters, is on the case. Pageant of the Masters is a world famous theatrical celebration of art in living pictures. This year’s show will reveal how lost treasures were discovered, where crimes of passion were uncovered and how creative riddles were unraveled. For further information, contact Janet Gonzales at 562. 985.7022 or janet.gonzales@csulb.edu.
UNIVERSITY ART MUSEUM Visit www.csulb.edu/uam or call 562-985-5761.
For tickets and more information on all events, please visit www.csulb.edu/alumni.
OFFICE OF GIFT PLANNING www.csulb.edu/giftplanning or call 562.985.5489.
UNIVERSITY BOOKSTORE/ BEACH STORE ON 2ND ST. Visit www.shopthebeach.com or call toll-free 800.985.8880.
JOHN LITHGOW “STORIES BY HEART” Carpenter Performing Arts Center Sat., May 10 8 p.m. $65 reserved seating John Lithgow delivers a commanding, funny and poignant tour de force performance, as he portrays a complete cast of distinct, outrageous characters while weaving personal stories with those by the likes of P.G. Wodehouse and Ring Lardner. A theatrical masterpiece that demonstrates the power of storytelling.
COLLEGE OF THE ARTS EVENTS Visit www.cota.csulb.edu or call 562.985.7000.
MOZART’S THE MAGIC FLUTE PERFORMED BY THE BOB COLE CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC OPERA INSTITUTE
See this beloved opera, which has been performed for over 200 years, telling the story of Tamino and Pamina enduring many trials. For more information, contact Meghan Adamovic at 562.985.2539 or meghan.adamovic@csulb.edu. Purchase tickets online at www.csulb.edu/alumni/events.
of
35TH NOBEL LAUREATE LECTURE
CLUB SPORTS AND RECREATION Visit www.csulb.edu/clubsports or call 562.985.7351.
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University Theater Sunday, April 13 12:30 p.m. reception; 2 p.m. curtain $40 members (limit of 2) $45 non-members
CALENDAR
TIBETAN SINGING BOWL PERFORMANCE Featuring Bob Cole Conservatory of Music Director Carolyn Bremer Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden Thurs., Mar. 20; 6-8 p.m. Free CSULB faculty/staff/students, garden members Celebrate the Vernal Equinox at a musical performance in the Japanese Garden. Innovative compositions featuring singing bowls and inspired by themes of transformation and innovation will harken back to ancient rituals while employing innovative approaches. A brief Q&A presentation will follow at a light dessert reception in the Friends Garden. RSVP to 562.985.2169 by March 17.
CAL REP COMPANY “NEXT TO NORMAL” BY TOM KITT AND BRIAN YORKEY Cal Rep Aboard the Queen Mary Fri., Apr. 18-Sat., May 10 $25 general admission $20 students with I.D, seniors 55+, CSULB faculty/staff Secrets and lies—tenderness and torment—rock a “normal” family in this anything but “normal” Pulitzer Prize-winning rock musical. Visit www.calrep.org for more information.
BOB COLE CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC
2014 CELEBRATING MUSIC Carpenter Performing Arts Center Sat., May 3 8 p.m. $15 reserved seating $10 seniors, CSULB faculty/staff/students Maurice Durufle’s “Requiem” performed by the combined Bob Cole Conservatory choirs and Bob Cole Conservatory Orchestra with Gustav Holst’s “The Planets.”
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Faculty spotlight/volunteer spotlight Q COLLEGE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES DONALD P. LAUDA WELLNESS LECTURE 2014 “Blue Zones: Living Better, Longer” The Pointe at The Walter Pyramid Tues., April 8 5 p.m. registration and networking 5:30-7 p.m. lecture Free This lecture will underscore recreation and leisure as a vital component in promoting healthy, happy lifestyles and places to live, work and recreate. The distinguished speaker, Amy Tomczyk, will give insight on how to promote health and wellness through the Blue Zones Project™.
DANCE DEPARTMENT 2014 SPRING CSULB DANCE IN CONCERT Martha B. Knoebel Dance Theater Wed.-Fri., Apr. 23-25, 8 p.m. Sat., Apr. 26, 2 p.m. $20 general admission $16 seniors, CSULB faculty/staff/students, DRC members The CSULB Dance Department presents an evening of original dances choreographed by faculty members Keith Johnson, Lorin Johnson, Sophie Monat, Andrew Vaca and guest faculty member John Beasant III. The show will also feature a restaging of Susan McLain’s “Evening Soul.”
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THE DANCE CENTER’S 20TH ANNIVERSARY GALA CONCERT Martha B. Knoebel Dance Theater Sat., Apr. 26 7:30 p.m. $30 general admission $26 seniors, CSULB faculty/staff/ students, DRC members Dance celebrates 20 years in the CSULB Dance Center with a special gala concert featuring original dances choreographed by Department of Dance faculty and a restaging of Susan McLain’s “Evening Soul.” A reception will follow the performance.
DISTINGUISHED LECTURE SERIES DOUGLAS BRINKLEY “The Evolution of the American Presidency” Carpenter Performing Arts Center Thurs., Mar. 27 7:30 p.m. keynote address 8:30 p.m. panel discussion 9 p.m. book signing and sales $40 reserved seats $30 seniors, veterans, CSULB faculty/staff $20 CSULB students $15 optional 6 p.m. BBQ buffet dinner
The University Art Museum partners with the artist-led experimental architecture and design organization Materials & Applications to present this show. This exhibition—a capstone to more than 10 years of effort to advance new and underused ideas in art, architecture and landscape—will feature images and artifacts from projects by over two dozen artists.
Douglas Brinkley will share his insights, based on voluminous research, on the history of the American presidency, framing the current challenges facing President Obama and how his election changed the course of American history. Monumental in his contributions to American culture, Brinkley takes the historical lessons of the past and applies them to the present and our future. For more information, visit www.csulb.edu/divisions/students/speakers.
Jewels of the Night celebrates its 20th anniversary with a full evening featuring 30 delectable restaurants, wine tasting and open bar, auctions, live music and piano bar, cigar lounge and private VIP lounges…all within The Walter Pyramid! This is the marquee event for supporting the more than 350 student-athletes in their quest to realize both their academic and athletic ambitions. For more information, visit www.jewelsofthenight.com.
UNIVERSITY ART MUSEUM
DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS
Stephen Mezyk Professor of Physical Chemistry 1981, B.Sc. Hons., Physical Chemistry/Mathematics, University of Melbourne, Australia 1990, Ph.D., Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Australia
“TRADITIONS TRANSFIGURED”: THE NOH MASKS OF BIDOU YAMAGUCHI UAM Art Galleries Currently showing through Sun., Apr. 13 $4 general admission $2 non-CSULB students with I.D. Free CSULB faculty/staff/students, UAM members The human face and its expressive potential have inspired artists for millennia. Arguably, Japan's Noh Theater provides an unparalleled domain for exploring emotion and representing the human countenance. Today, Noh continues to inspire a dynamic dialogue between artists from Asia and the West. “Traditions Transfigured” selects contemporary works by Noh mask maker Bidou Yamaguchi. These masks apply the forms, techniques, transformative spirit and mysterious elegance of Noh masks to iconic female portraits from the European art historical canon and to Kabuki actor prints by Sharaku, Japan's enigmatic 18th century portrait master. “Project S'More: Small is More,” 2013 © Edmund Ming Kip Kwong “Mona Lisa,” 2003, Japanese cypress, seashell, natural pigment, lacquer. Collection of Kelly Sutherlin McLeod and Steve McLeod. © Bidou Yamaguchi
UNIVERSITY PLAYERS “BLIND MOUTH SINGING” BY JORGE CORTINAS Players Theater Fri., Apr. 25-Sat., May 10 $15 general admission $12 seniors 55+, CSULB faculty/staff/students
2014 CSULB REGIONAL ECONOMIC FORUM Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center Fri., Mar. 21 7:30-10:30 a.m. $40 Learn about the economic health and trends of Southern California at this well-respected annual forum. For more information, visit www.csulb.edu/colleges/cla/departments/economics/office-ofeconomic-research/csulb.
MATERIALS & APPLICATIONS: “BUILDING SOMETHING (BEYOND) BEAUTIFUL, PROJECTS 2002-13” UAM Art Galleries Currently showing through Sun., Apr. 13 $4 general admission
and receiving a 2010 Los Angeles Emmy Award for Instructional Programming. Since joining CSULB in 2001, he has acquired nearly $4 million in external research funding and has helped his research students acquire more than $200,000 for their own research and scholarships. Mezyk has also published over 140 peer-reviewed journal papers and made 240 conference presentations.
Faculty
JEWELS OF THE NIGHT 20TH ANNIVERSARY The Walter Pyramid Sat., May 3 5 p.m. $100 general admission $150 VIP admission
&A
$2 non-CSULB students with I.D. Free CSULB faculty/staff/students, UAM members
“Blind Mouth Singing” is a strange and beautiful play set in that hazy place between the person you are and the person you want to be, or could be, or are in danger of becoming. It’s all about the push and pull that goes on there, the escaping and the avoiding.
Professor Stephen Mezyk has received numerous accolades from his students and colleagues. A few honors include being named the 2014 Outstanding Professor, the Most Valuable Professor three times,
Volunteer
John MCConnell
Q. What inspired you to pursue a career in teaching and conducting research at the university level? My career in science was inspired by fantastic faculty in chemistry and mathematics. For example, my undergraduate research supervisor at the University of Melbourne gave me a project that was so interesting that I agreed to complete my Ph.D. with him in order to further investigate the problem. From these first experiences of teaching and working with students to help them learn and discover the world of scientific research, I wanted to become a university professor. Q. Briefly describe your research specialization. I am interested in how fast chemistry
Q. Tell us a little about your journey to CSULB and how you became a lifelong 49er. After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, I attended Cornell College in Iowa and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1948. After that, I coached junior college and high school sports before obtaining my master’s degree from Purdue University in 1949. From there, I decided to continue pursuing my education and entered the doctorate program at the University of Iowa. It was during this time that I crossed paths with Dr. Victor Peterson, president of Long Beach State College. He was on a recruiting trip through the U.S., and he gave me an interview. I remember he kept checking his watch so I thought I did not leave a favorable impression on him. It turns out Dr. Peterson was only waiting for a taxi to take him to the last train out to Chicago. After my commencement ceremony, my wife and two sons, ages 3 and six months, packed our suitcases and headed out to sunny California.
occurs—the field of reaction kinetics. This vast area offers many interesting questions, especially those with relevance to current environmental challenges. My current research focus is in two separate areas: the first is in the removal of chemical contaminants from wastewaters, and the second is nuclear chemistry, where we are investigating the recycling of radioactive metals from nuclear waste. Q. Describe what makes CSULB special in terms of your students and as a workplace. CSULB has a unique work environment, where I have been able to balance my research and teaching loads to achieve success in both. I have mentored many outstanding undergraduate and master’slevel research students who have also inspired me to work hard and push the boundaries of my scholarship. All of their successes are extremely rewarding to me, and I am happy that I remain friends with many of them as they pursue their career dreams. Q. Describe your outside interests and your family. I grew up in Melbourne, Australia, where my Polish immigrant parents taught my three wonderful and success-
It turned out that I was in the right place at the right time. The college experienced rapid growth, and I was able to advance professionally in a way that would not be possible today. I was hired in 1953 and initially brought on to start the baseball program in 1954. Among the challenges that first year, when we were ready to start practices, the field wasn’t ready for us, so we had to commute to Whaley Park. Thus, we were the perennial visiting team that first season. Another challenge was that we only had a roster of about 14 players, which made it difficult to conduct an intra-squad practice. In 1954, I also became the assistant basketball coach. After coaching those first few years, in 1958, I was offered a position as an administrative assistant in Athletics. I took a brief hiatus to be the Men’s Physical Education Department chair from 1962-64. I became the student teaching coordinator from 1965-69, before finally accepting the position as associate dean for Academic Affairs in the School of Applied Arts and Sciences, which I held until my retirement in 1986.
ful sisters and I the importance of family and close friends, as well as having a strong work ethic. I have been fortunate enough to live and work in Canada, the United States and Australia. In all of these places, I have made lifelong friends that I spend time with every chance I get. My research collaborations in Germany and Sweden have afforded me the opportunity to experience new countries and cultures, while exchanging ideas and developing new experiments to continue my research efforts. After moving to CSULB, I married one of the most amazing women I’ve ever met, Nancy. We share a love for chemistry and the joy of travel. Q. What advice do you have for today’s students? Treat your university education as a stepping-stone to the rest of your life. Being a student is your job, and you have just this one chance to prove to the world how amazing you can be before you graduate from here. It is vitally important to stand out from the crowd and be noticed for your achievements, now, as it will set you up for the rest of your life.
Q. Why did you become a volunteer for the Alumni Association? Over those 32 years, I made numerous connections and I developed friendships that have lasted until this day. I have attended many reunions of former baseball and football players, and meet regularly with a group of retired faculty. It feels like Long Beach State selected me and for that I am grateful. It is an overused, maybe trite phrase, but I wanted to give something back. Q. When you are not volunteering, what are some of your hobbies? One of my favorite things to do is see LBSU athletes in action. So my wife and I attend almost all the athletic events. When I am not rooting for LBSU men and women, I enjoy reading. I am currently in the process of updating my book, “Cooperstown by the Numbers: An Analysis of Baseball Hall of Fame Elections,” in the hope that the publisher will see fit to print a second edition. Since it was published, I have been telling my friends that the book is a guaranteed cure for insomnia.
Look for expanded biographies and interviews online at www.csulb.edu/alumni/association/beach-connection/.
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FROM STUDENT A comprehensive university experience is highly desired and often not fully appreciated until after graduation. However, the CSULB Alumni Association tries to instill a lifelong commitment of Beach Pride from the time a new student sets foot on campus and crosses the stage at commencement to attending graduate school or starting a first job. The Alumni Association, with more than 40,000 members, provides an array of events and programs to further engage our “alumni in residence” and recent graduates with chances to network with each other, create opportunities for students and meet seasoned alumni with established careers that support our alma mater. STUDENT ALUMNI OPPORTUNITIES One of the early exposures to the Alumni Association occurs at Move-In Day, when alumni volunteers greet freshmen and their families as the students move into the residence halls. During the year, alumni host the popular Dinner with Twelve 49ers, where students, a faculty representative and the host converse about career paths and opportunities over a dinner sponsored by the alum at either their home, workplace or restaurant.
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S
DIN N
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ith (’90, B.S., Roberta Sm ; ’94, MPH) th education al e h y it n u comm home for stu inner at her d e cu e b ar b iences held a ical/health sc g lo io b e th sted in r a more dents intere pportunity fo o an d e d vi id, “It pro unities field. She sa career opport f o e g an h xc sed e supportintimate, focu take pride in I … re ca th al eld of he alumni within the fi that studentve ie el b d an mater ing my alma are a great these dinners ke li s m ra g pro nnected.” way to stay co
SENIOR CLASS EXPERIENCE Much effort is placed on the senior year—a period of conflicts and rewards—through the myBeach Senior Class Experience before these students transition into their lifelong roles as alumni. The program, established in 2009 in its current structure, instills pride and tradition through a series of activities, communications and events coordinated by the myBeach Senior Class Committee, whose members volunteer many hours. A branded website is dedicated to them with monthly e-communiques profiling seniors and upcoming activities. Through various campaigns, seniors are encouraged to join the Alumni Association to show their Beach Pride and make their first gift, beginning the tradition of giving to support future students’ educational experiences. One of this year’s members of the myBeach Senior Class Committee, Brian Zavala (’14, French and international studies), described his experience: “Being a member of the myBeach Senior Class Committee has shown me the importance of staying connected after graduation. I want to continue to give back to ambitious students so they can receive the same benefits I have at CSULB.” After graduation, Brian plans to attend medical school, and hopes to become a trauma surgeon, join Doctors Without Borders and help provide healthcare to African countries.
& Tradition
BEACH PRIDE
TO GRADUATE: Recent graduate Alma S. Martinez (’12, communication and French studies) described why she stays connected: “I decided to give back to CSULB through the Beach Pride and Tradition Package because, being the first in my family to graduate from a four-year university, I have and will always show my Beach Pride wherever my journey may take me. Although I am living abroad while getting my master’s degree, staying connected to CSULB is very easy through e-mail and social media. I actually use Facebook to get all my info from CSULB and the Alumni Association.” RECENT ALUMNI Maintaining and creating new connections and relationships with The Beach during the first five years after graduation is coordinated through the Recent Alumni Network. The most popular networking events are the Beach Alumni Mixers, held at restaurants where recent graduates can meet each other and Distinguished Alumni, who share their “pearls of wisdom” about career paths and juggling career, community service and family obligations. The Beyond the Beach Lecture Series helps recent graduates figure out their next moves by providing tips on applying to graduate school, buying a house and investing for the future. In addition, the Career Development Center services are available at no cost for the first year after graduation.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES As an Alumni Association member, if you would like to participate in the Student and Recent Alumni Program, please contact Ilana Tel-Oren, Student and Recent Alumni Program coordinator, at 562.985.5880 or ilana.tel-oren@csulb.edu. There are volunteer opportunities to host a Dinner with Twelve 49ers, monetarily sponsor a Beach Alumni Mixer, assist at Move-In Day, be a workshop presenter on a germane topic, or assist with office work in preparing mailings or event prep tasks. And if you are a graduate since 2009 and have not received e-communiques about the Recent Alumni Network, please update your information at www.csulb.edu/alumni.
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PAST EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
PAST EVENT HIGHLIGHTS Beach Alumni MIxer
CONCERTS IN THE GROVE
Temecula Wine Tasting
CSU MEGAMIXER
June 2013, The Capital Grille, Costa Mesa, Calif.
July and August 2013, Soroptimist House, CSULB
September 2013, Leoness Cellars, Temecula, Calif.
November 2013, Sadie Kitchen and Lounge, Los Angeles, Calif.
Left to right: David Musial (’07), Jack Aleksanyan (’13), Distinguished Alumnus Tony Baxter (’69) and Bobby Godina (’06).
Left to right: Long Beach Unified School District board member Felton Williams (’72, ’75), Julie Daniels, CSULB’s First Lady Sandy Para, Interim President Donald Para, Long Beach City College President Eloy Oakley, Terri Carbaugh, Alex Carbaugh-Rutland, Daysha Austin and Long Beach City Councilman Al Austin.
Left to right: Patricia (’72, ’74) and Eduardo (’73) Ferrer.
Left to right: ASI Treasurer Agatha Gucyski and ASI President John Haberstroh (’12).
PAGEANT OF THE MASTERS
HOMECOMING 2013: THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE THE BEACH!
July 2013, Tivoli Terrace, Laguna Beach, Calif.
November 2013, The Walter Pyramid and Lot 13, CSULB
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Left to right: Marian Ruth, Holly Cain (’82) and Ann Ruth.
BACK TO COLLEGE NIGHT September 2013, Rayburn House Office Building, washington, D.C.
Left to right: Miles Nevin (’05, ’12), James Ahumada (’11), Hironao Okahana (’07) and Saleha Bholat (’08, ’11).
Left to right: Bob Murphy (’62), Berna Warner and Cameron Warner.
Distinguished Alumnus Steve Molina (’79) and his sister, Lisa Molina De La Loza (’79), are greeted by Prospector Pete.
Alumni, students, family and friends enjoy a full day of activities at The Beach.
Volunteer Appreciation Reception
GOLDEN GRADUATES Celebration
SIGMA PI NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION
September 2013, The Grand, Long Beach, Calif.
November 2013, USU Ballroom, CSULB
December 2013, Maxson Plaza, CSULB
Left to right: Kristie Koepplin (’83) and James Gray.
The Class of 1963 Golden Graduates.
Members of the Sigma Pi fraternity from the 1960s met on campus for a portion of its annual multi-day New Year’s Eve celebration.
THE BEACH CONNECTION CSULB Alumni Association • 1250 Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90840-8101
NON-PROFIT US POSTAGE PAID LONG BEACH, CA PERMIT #48
4 SATURDAYS SAVE THE DATES OOVE R G M U PLATIN
See page 4 for details.