Dr. Jolene Koester is President of California State University, Northridge.
Comments on topics of interest to the Cal State Northridge and broader community will be posted here on a periodic basis. Due to the demands of the President’s schedule and her diverse responsibilities, however, readers of this site should not expect “real time” commentary on university issues and incidents that may arise.
On Friday, September 24, the University celebrated Founders Day. Begun in 2008 on the occasion of Cal State Northridge’s 50th anniversary, the event is now a joyful annual tradition that allows us to celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of our distinguished alumni, students, faculty and staff.
This year marked the largest turnout for the event since the first Founders Day. This is in large part due to the high esteem and affection for which the institution’s founding president—Dr. Ralph Prator—is held. At this year’s event, the sundial fountain in front of Bayramian Hall was rededicated as the Ralph Prator Fountain in tribute to his legacy and achievements.
When President Prator was asked to assume leadership of the new San Fernando Valley State College (as the University was first known), he brought with him a no-nonsense, straightforward midwest style and values that are still very much a part of Cal State Northridge. Dr. Prator was very involved in all aspects of establishing the University. He was smart and capable, and by all accounts a kind and “common man” in the highest sense of the term, understanding very well the needs and goals of the students who had come to Valley State to receive a college education. His vision established the foundation for the excellence that Cal State Northridge embodies today.
In addition to memorializing President Prator, this year’s event also inducted the newest members of the 50 Year Club, a group composed of alumni who received their degrees 50 years ago or former faculty and staff who began their service to the institution in the same era.
Alumnus Kevin Roderick, publisher and editor of L.A. Observed, and author of the recent book, Wilshire Boulevard: Grand Concourse of Los Angeles, served as the keynote speaker. As a Cal State Northridge alumnus, and the author of The San Fernando Valley: America’s Suburb, Mr. Roderick was a particularly appropriate speaker for the event. He shared many colorful stories and anecdotes—both personal and historical—about the University and the region that served to underscore the development and great diversity of our community.
The event was a memorable and wonderful celebration, a time for people to re-connect and reminisce, and to see the incredible growth “Valley State College” has undergone in recent years.
My thanks to everyone who contributed to this year’s Founders Day, particularly the co-chairs of the organizing committee, Vincent Barabba and Donald Cameron, and the Alumni Association.
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The Campus Budget FAQ has been updated to reflect the recent news that the California State University system and Cal State Northridge will begin accepting new students for the Spring 2011 semester.
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Yesterday evening the University formally welcomed more than 2000 of our new freshman class to the Cal State Northridge community at the fourth annual Freshman Convocation. Our distinguished keynote speaker for the event was actress Holly Robinson Peete, who has played a prominent national role in educating people about autism, primarily through the HollyRod Foundation, which she and her husband, broadcaster and former NFL quarterback Rodney Peete, founded together.
The Freshman Convocation is part of a broader campus effort that also includes the Academic First Year Experience and the Common Reading Program which connect our newest students to California State University, Northridge. By strengthening these students’ connection to the University, we hope to encourage student success and academic achievement and maximize the number of students who continue on to their sophomore year, which is one of our goals on campus.
In the ceremony’s brief running time and compact space, one can see encapsulated the importance of our work here. The freshmen who are the focal point of the ceremony are our citizens and community and business leaders of the future. It is always a delight to see how excited and energized these students are to be here, and the event is a powerful reminder of what a difference our efforts make in helping these young men and women succeed.
My appreciation goes to everyone who has contributed to the enthusiasm and successful start of these new students, including the organizers of the Freshmen Convocation and the Academic First Year Experience Program, and the faculty and staff who demonstrate their strong commitment every day through outstanding work, teaching, research, and scholarship.
The above photo from the 2009 Freshman Convocation is from the Daily Sundial.
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A closed captioned video of the address in its entirety is also available on the page and is embedded below.
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When President Prator was asked to assume leadership of the new San Fernando Valley State College (as the University was first known), he brought with him a no-nonsense, straightforward midwest style and values that are still very much a part of Cal State Northridge. Dr. Prator was very involved in all aspects of establishing the University. He was smart and capable, and by all accounts a kind and “common man” in the highest sense of the term, understanding very well the needs and goals of the students who had come to Valley State to receive a college education. His vision established the foundation for the excellence that Cal State Northridge embodies today.
Yesterday evening the University formally welcomed more than 2000 of our new freshman class to the Cal State Northridge community at the fourth annual