This is President Jolene Koester's Blog. The following page is a three column layout with a header that contains a quicklinks jump menu and the search CSUN function. Page sections are identified with headers. The footer contains update, contact and emergency information.
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 Thursday, November 5, I attended the 2009 Volunteer Service Awards. Organized by the Alumni Association, the annual event is the University’s way of expressing thanks and appreciation to the many volunteers who enrich the campus community through their generous contribution of time, energy and enthusiasm, often through the efforts of distinguished campus support organizations like the CSUN Arts Council and the Friends of the Oviatt Library. The contributions and service of our volunteers are especially apparent in a time like today when the University faces serious fiscal challenges. Because they are volunteers, their support of the institution is genuine and self-evident, and we are very fortunate to have the benefit of their attention and services.
Numerous awards are given during the banquet ceremony that recognize outstanding service and leadership at the college and University levels, and within the Alumni Association.
The “Granny” Heitz award is named for the late Dorothea “Granny” Heitz who, as one of the University’s greatest boosters through her work and her leadership of the “Granny Girls,” defined what CSUN spirit is all about. The award is presented to individuals who serve as outstanding volunteer role models and leaders. This year’s “Granny” Heitz award went to Gene Detchemendy, an alumnus of Cal State Northridge who has remained a visible and dedicated alumni leader. He has served nearly 15 years as a member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors, including a two-year stint as the Association’s president beginning in 2004. His leadership has re-connected numerous alumni to the campus and strengthened the Alumni Association’s support for Cal State Northridge.
BELOW: Video tribute about “The Legend of Granny Heitz,” which was produced for presentation at this year’s banquet. For more information and credits, visit the University’s YouTube Channel site.
The Peckham Award is named for Vice President for Student Affairs Emeritus Edmund Peckham, who served with distinction for many years as the University’s vice president for student affairs and dean of students before retiring in 1991, and who has continued to remain active in serving and advancing the campus through myriad ways well into retirement. This year’s Peckham recipient was Professor Emeritus of Child and Adolescent Development Carol S. Kelly. Dr. Kelly served with distinction on the faculty for 40 years before retiring in 2007. Known for her leadership in developing the campus’s innovative interdisciplinary major in child development, she has continued to remain engaged at the University, particularly in advancing her discipline, securing scholarship support for students, and continuing her work in creating opportunities for and protecting the rights of children.
The event was a wonderful celebration of the people who make Cal State Northridge such an outstanding institution. My thanks to the organizers, particularly the Alumni Association under the leadership of the Alumni Association president, Tammy Tolgo, and the staff of the Alumni Relations office, who made the event a success. My deepest gratitude as well goes to the many volunteers who were honored at the event and to the many people who continue to serve the campus with pride and distinction.
On September 25, I joined with many friends and guests—including alumni and past faculty of California State University, Northridge—to celebrate Founders Day at the University Club (now known as the Orange Grove Bistro).
Founders Day is a new annual tradition that began last year as part of the University’s 50th year anniversary celebrations. As noted in my blog last year, Founders Day commemorates the date in 1958 when classes commenced on campus at what was then known as San Fernando Valley State College. It is an opportunity to recognize the University’s past while also building tradition and a sense of pride for Cal State Northridge.
Celebrating Founders Day at the University Club had particular meaning since many of the founding faculty who were present at this year’s event had a hand in building the facility. During the event, we inducted the newest members of the “50 Year Club”—alumni who graduated and faculty and staff who began their service to the University at least 50 years ago.
I’m delighted to have this new tradition that celebrates Cal State Northridge’s history in such a way. Everyone who attended had a wonderful time hearing and sharing stories about the early days of the campus, learning about how much has changed, and looking in anticipation to the future!
As part of its ongoing commitment to encourage even greater pride for Cal State Northridge, Associated Students has instituted “Matatude Tuesdays!” Every Tuesday will be an opportunity for all members of the campus community to show school spirit by wearing the University’s colors—Matador red and black—on that day.
I am delighted to support this activity being led by A.S. under the leadership of its president, Abel Pacheco. It is a wonderful way to demonstrate pride for Cal State Northridge and I hope it will also encourage people to think about other ways they can show pride for the University, such as by attending athletics events, taking advantage of our rich cultural and performing arts programming, and giving back to the University.
I encourage everyone in the campus community to embrace this effort and look forward to seeing a sea of red and black on Tuesdays throughout campus!
This past weekend, the University held its annual Distinguished Alumni Awards gala. With commencement week now upon us, this memorable event last Saturday evening seemed a fitting time to remember the distinguished accomplishments and contributions of students from prior graduating classes who have contributed to Cal State Northridge’s growing legacy and reputation.
At the banquet, we had the privilege of honoring three very accomplished Cal State Northridge alumni: Mr. Harvey Bookstein, one of the state’s most respected accountants who established the Harvey and Harriet Bookstein Chair in Taxation and the Bookstein Institute for Higher Education in Taxation on campus; Dr. Debra Farar, past chair and current member of the Board of Trustees of The California State University, who is known nationally for her leadership on higher education issues; and the Honorary S. James Otero, United States District Judge for the Central District of California.
Each of the honorees spoke with great pride of being Cal State Northridge graduates. They spoke glowingly of their experiences at the University, acknowledging that Cal State Northridge faculty played key roles in preparing them for success after graduation, and that their education gave them the skills, knowledge and opportunity to excel. As we wind down our celebration of the University’s 50th anniversary and 50 years of life-changing opportunity, I know all of us associated with this great institution were proud and moved on Saturday night to hear in a very specific and personal way about how the University had made a difference in the lives of these outstanding individuals. It was a memorable and enjoyable evening, and the Cal State Northridge Alumni Association deserves recognition for a fine, stylish event.
When I look out this week at the many happy faces of this year’s graduating class, I will do so with the knowledge that our students have been given an education that is second to none, and with the pride that they, too, are now distinguished Cal State Northridge alumni. A future Distinguished Alumni Award recipient may even be among this year’s graduates!
In my previous blog marking the close of the academic year, I spoke about the many challenges we faced during the past year, as well as the achievements and events that made it so memorable. However, there are also many events and rituals that occur throughout every academic year which are unique to higher education. Such customs, which can be found in other fields and institutions in society, play an important role in people’s lives by providing a sense of order and continuity. I’m sure that the subject of academic tradition and custom at Cal State Northridge will be a theme I revisit often in this blog.
Of course, there is no annual tradition better known in higher education than the one Cal State Northridge celebrates next week: commencement. As its very name suggests, commencement marks not an ending, but a symbolic beginning for almost 10,000 students who will be awarded bachelor’s and master’s degrees next week. It is truly fitting that we commemorate this new phase of our graduates’ lives in the spring, nature’s own traditional time of renewal and fresh beginnings.
With this in mind, I ask the entire campus community to join me in congratulating the Class of 2009 (many of whom are currently completing their final exams!) as they complete their studies and begin to assume their new mantle as Cal State Northridge alumni, and the community’s next generation of citizens and leaders. They have worked hard for this moment and they have been helped on this journey by all of you, as well as their families and friends. Commencement is a time to celebrate their many achievements as students here.
I hope everyone will have an opportunity to observe and attend a commencement. They are always joyful and celebratory, and a wonderful reminder of why our work at Cal State Northridge is so important.
And if you cannot attend personally, the ceremonies again will be broadcast live this year. Anyone interested in watching the ceremonies will find a link from the main page of the University website during commencement week. (Update: The direct link to commencement is here.) The full graduation schedule is available at the commencement website.
Speaking of tradition, next week the University also holds the Honored Faculty Reception. Jointly sponsored by my office and the Northridge Chapter of the California Faculty Association, this annual spring event also celebrates achievement—achievement by the faculty who, of course, provide the foundation of knowledge and teaching that drive the primary mission of the University.
While the Honored Faculty Reception recognizes and awards individual faculty members for excellence and service, the focus of the event is to formally honor the esteemed faculty members who have been conferred emeritus status by me in my role as University President on the recommendation of their faculty colleagues. Emeritus status is granted to faculty in appreciation of service to the University and their contributions to their disciplines, the academic profession, and the State of California. Emeritus status is a mark of academic distinction that formally becomes part of a faculty member’s official title and forever affirms their legacy as a distinguished member of the California State University, Northridge faculty.
I congratulate our new emeritus faculty and look forward to personally recognizing them at the Honored Faculty Reception.
CSUN’s Grand Reunion, celebrated this past weekend on Saturday, April 25, with 3,500 people in attendance, was a great success! I was so delighted to see so many people there showing their Matador spirit.
As you can see from the photographs accompanying this blog, enthusiasm and pride for the University and its 50th anniversary were in abundance throughout the afternoon and evening celebrations. Alumni shared fond memories about their days as University students and remembered with delight their affiliations with various departments, programs and activities.
Many alumni came accompanied by several generations of their family, and were joined by a cross-section of the broader campus community, including students (our future alumni), faculty, and staff. The people who took part in the celebrations ranged from members of the founding graduating class—as typified by several gentlemen I spotted like the one in the photo at right wearing with pride their classic Valley State College sweaters—to the very young who entertained the crowd with their spontaneous dancing in front of the main stage. Past student leaders, athletes, Greeks, and students from diverse disciplines and fields all attended.
The event, of course, could not have been a success without the leadership, planning and hard work of a large number of people. I would particularly like to thank the Cal State Northridge Alumni Association, under the leadership of its president, Larry Twersky (’84), for outstanding work in organizing the event. The Alumni President and his Board of Directors were ably supported in this effort by D.G. “Gray” Mounger, Assistant Vice President for Alumni Relations, and the entire Alumni Relations staff, as well as the broader University Advancement staff, led by Vice President Vance Peterson. They, in turn, were joined by a full complement of staff and students from campus who volunteered their time and energy to ensure that everyone who attended had a good time.
Despite the prediction of clouds and possible showers, it turned out to be a sunny day, and perfect for the entire campus family to join together to celebrate “50 years of life-changing opportunity” and to demonstrate collectively why Cal State Northridge continues to be the intellectual, economic and cultural heart of the San Fernando Valley and beyond. It was heartening to see what a profound impact this University has had on so many people. I will remember the day with continued pride for some time.
This Saturday, April 25, Cal State Northridge hosts the University’s 50th anniversary Grand Reunion. This community event represents the culmination of our year-long celebration of “50 years of life changing opportunity”!
I look forward to joining with alumni, faculty, staff, students, and friends in celebrating the spirit and energy of the University, which has enhanced and influenced the lives of the region and so many students and community members throughout its 50 years.
In the largest gathering of alumni ever, several alumni reunions and special programs will be held to give old friends and peers an opportunity to come together and re-connect. These activities will include campus tours and exhibits.
This also will be a day of fun, food and festivity. As you will see at the schedule posted for the event, there are myriad activities and programs offered to appeal to everyone, including live entertainment and music, a barbeque dinner, a family-friendly kid zone, and wine tasting.
The Reunion begins at 4 p.m. and the party will go into the evening. The extended University family, including faculty, staff and students, are welcome to attend. Tickets include dinner and are still available—visit the website for details and to place an order. And if you cannot attend, a live webcast will be available at the website beginning at 6:30 p.m.
The outpouring of enthusiasm and support for the University that I have seen this anniversary year has reaffirmed for me the important role Cal State Northridge plays in the community and in creating opportunities for students. The Grand Reunion will be a wonderful way for us as a community to feel the energy of the campus and share our excitement and pride with others. I look forward to seeing everyone there!
