June 4, 2008

Welcome Cal State Northridge alumni and friends. You will receive this newsletter at the beginning of each month highlighting campus news and exciting events happening at the university. For easy reading, we have kept it short and simple. Detailed information can be accessed on our Web site at www.csunalumni.com. If you have any questions or comments, please call (818) 677-2137 or e-mail us at alumni@csun.edu.

Upcoming Events

Diana Ross at the Hollywood Bowl
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Join Cal State Northridge alumni and friends for the 10th annual alumni night at the Bowl starring American legend, Diana Ross with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at 8:30 p.m. Seating is in section F3. A picnic area has been reserved beginning at 6 p.m. Alumni Association members & guests - $30 per person, non-members - $40 per person. Purchase your tickets online today.

Dodger Day
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Join Cal State Northridge at Dodger Stadium to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium and the 50th anniversary of Cal State Northridge. An all inclusive private reception hosted on the Loge Terrace will include hot dogs, hamburgers, wraps, beer, wine and more. Seating for the game is on the Loge Level, Section 165 and 167. The dinner reception starts at 5 p.m. and the game starts 7 p.m. against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The cost is $50 per person for members and $60 for non-members. Visit www.csunalumni.com for tickets and information.

Women’s Softball Volleyball Alumni Social
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Join fellow teammates and catch up with old friends. Enjoy a tour of the campus, followed by complimentary appetizers and admission to the women’s volleyball match against CSU Fullerton. The event will begin at 5 p.m., on campus in the Matadome. RSVP to Assistant Coach Kiran Mistry at mistry@csun.edu or call (818) 677-7784.

Northridge In The News

Cal State Fullerton’s Sylvia Alva to Join CSUN as New Dean of College of Health and Human Development
Sylvia Alva, associate vice president for undergraduate programs at Cal State Fullerton, will join the Cal State Northridge campus community this summer as the new dean of the College of Health and Human Development. Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Harry Hellenbrand, who announced the appointment, said the incoming dean has extensive experience in academic administration and an impressive history of collaborations aimed at student success. "We welcome to our campus this outstanding administrator, and we look forward to working with her," said Provost Hellenbrand. "The College of Health and Human Development offers a rich array of quality academic programs that help people and communities thrive and play an important role in California’s future," said Alva, who was honored in 2001 as an Outstanding Member of the Academic Community at Fullerton. "The opportunity to serve as its dean is truly an honor." Prior to her current post at Fullerton, Alva served for three years as assistant vice president for academic programs. Her activities included academic program planning and development of undergraduate degree programs and courses, and oversight of the campus’ general education program. Full Story

New Director of CSUN’s Center on Disabilities Named
Elyse Chaplin, former Director of Disability Support Services and Assistant Dean of Student Life at Brown University, has been named the new director of Cal State Northridge’s internationally recognized Center on Disabilities. Chaplin, who has been working on her doctorate in higher educational theory and policy studies—with an emphasis on serving students with disabilities at the postsecondary level—at the University of Toronto, will assume her new post in mid July. "Elyse Chaplin has exactly the right combination of leadership and vision that we were searching for in the next director of the Center on Disabilities," said Mary Ann Cummins-Prager, CSUN’s associate vice president for student access and support services and former head of the center. "Her passionate commitment to the creation of an inclusive society in which the barriers to personal, academic and career success no longer exist make her an ideal fit on our campus, which has a long and distinguished history of support for persons with disabilities." Cummins-Prager said Chaplin has a strong background in the disability services area in a postsecondary setting, noting that while at Brown University she was responsible for the full range of accommodation services for more than 400 students with disabilities and oversight of a U.S. Department of Education grant on "Universal Instruction Design." In addition, Chaplin has been a consultant at Harvard University in the Student Disability Services office. Chaplin said she was "truly delighted" to be joining CSUN as the new director of the Center on Disabilities. Full Story

CSUN Study of Its Athletics Program
Cal State Northridge has begun a year-long, campus-wide self study of its athletics program as part of the NCAA Division I athletics certification program. Specifically, university officials will be looking at three areas: academic integrity, governance and commitment to rules compliance, and commitment to equity and student-athlete well-being. The process is similar to what is done for academic accreditation, but focuses solely on athletics. Cal State Northridge completed its first certification process in 2000. "The athletics certification program’s purpose is to help ensure integrity in the institution’s athletic operations," said Northridge President Jolene Koester, a member of the self-study steering committee. "The program opens up athletics to the rest of the university community and to the public. It gives us an opportunity to take a close look at the needs of the university, the Athletics Department, our students and student athletes as well as those of the community. We welcome input from everyone." Full Story

CSUN’s Teenage Drama Workshop Gearing Up for 51st Season of Plays and Classes
With the hot weeks of summer just a breath away, one of the longest-running programs of its kind in the nation is gearing up at Cal State Northridge, to offer teens a constructive way to spend time in June. Entering its 51st year of operation on campus, the Teenage Drama Workshop (TADW) will once again begin working with teens in the community. They will spend six weeks immersed in the day-to-day reality of a professional theater troupe. From June 23 through Aug. 3, TADW will provide an experience that culminates in two plays, complete with lighting, costumes, and fully designed sets. Students typically are cast in one of the two plays, each of which runs for ten performances. "The plays go through a wonderful transformation from opening to closing as students learn the craft of performance and audience interaction, all while sustaining a high level of energy," said TADW Executive Director Doug Kaback. "One of the most exciting things about the program is how multi-generational it is and has always been," said Kaback. Performances bring together the young audience, the adolescent teen performers, the CSUN students who work with the program, the industry professionals who direct the plays and the parent advisory group. TADW audiences often are first-time theater-goers between the ages of 4 and 12. "The plays are specifically chosen for this reason," Kaback said, "not just for popular appeal but also cultural and literary appeal." This summer’s selections will continue tradition by offering the pop-culture phenomenon "High School Musical" as well as "The Phantom Tollbooth," based on the Norton Juster book. Full Story

50th Anniversary Celebration

Cal State Northridge is Celebrating It's 50th Anniversary
Come and join us for "50 Years of Life-Changing Opportunity" at California State University, Northridge! Attend events, exhibits, share a story (or two) and take an historical tour of Cal State Northridge on our timeline. Save the date of Saturday, April 25, 2009 for an all alumni Grand Reunion picnic and other celebrations throughut the year. Please stay tuned for further updates by visiting the official 50th Anniversary Web site at www.csun.edu/50.

Share your story on YouTube
In celebration of the fiftieth anniversary, you’re invited to share your favorite memory of Cal State Northridge in fifty seconds or less. Create a video and upload it to our university YouTube Web site at www.csun.edu/50 for everyone to enjoy. If you’ve never uploaded a video to YouTube, this is a great opportunity to ask your kids or grandkids for help. Visit www.csun.edu/50 to see other videos and to get started.

Call for 50th Anniversary Reunion Chairs
In preparation for the celebration, the Alumni Association is seeking volunteers to assist in the planning for a Grand Reunion. The celebration, schedule for Saturday, April 25, 2009, invites all alumni, current and former faculty, and friends of the university back to campus for a picnic, campus tours and a host of other events and activities. If you are interested in assisting the Alumni Association by coordinating a mini-reunion for a group of alumni from your fraternity or sorority, athletic team, residence hall, class year, student club or any other former group affiliated with the university, we need your help. Contact Shellie Hadvina, Associate Director, Alumni Relations at (818) 677-5541 or email alumni@csun.edu with your contact information and area of interest.

Gifts and Grants

Historian, Author Catherine Mulholland Donates Family Memorabilia, Including Items of Her Grandfather, William Mulholland
Noted historian and author Catherine Mulholland, granddaughter of William Mulholland, the engineer who brought Owens Valley water to Los Angeles, has donated a collection of family memorabilia—including rare books, archival papers, photographs and music recordings—to Cal State Northridge. The collection, which will be housed in CSUN’s Oviatt Library’s Urban Archives Center, offers rare insight into the Mulholland family’s day-to-day life on their San Fernando Valley ranch as well as William Mulholland’s tenure with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. "The Mulholland family papers are a superb addition to the library’s continually growing collection on the history of the San Fernando Valley," said Susan Curzon, dean of the University Library. "We have deeply valued Catherine’s friendship over the years, and we are honored to preserve her family’s history." Mulholland, a longtime supporter of the university and its library as well as a former member of CSUN’s President’s Advisory Board, said Northridge seemed a logical place for her family’s collection. "I hated to part with it but, on the other hand, I wanted it to have a good home. I couldn’t think of a better place than CSUN," Mulholland said. Few families have had a larger impact on the development of Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley than the Mulhollands. William Mulholland engineered what was then considered nearly impossible—bringing water from the Sierra Nevada Mountains and Owens Valley to the San Fernando Valley via an aqueduct. Full Story

Retired Geology Professor to Hike Valley Mountains to Raise Money for CSUN Students
Just as explorer Ferdinand Magellan attempted to travel round the world in three years, retired Cal State Northridge geology professor Gene Fritsche will attempt his own sensational journey covering five San Fernando Valley mountain ranges in 12 days. Although Fritsche wasn’t summoned by the king of Spain to complete this journey, his intentions are for a much greater purpose—raising funds for geology students at CSUN. Fritsche, 71, and his wife, Sue, will embark on a 12-day GeoTrek that will cover a total of 135 miles around the San Fernando Valley in an effort to raise money for scholarships in CSUN’s Department of Geological Sciences. "After I retired, I wanted to do something to build up the scholarship funds that were available to CSUN geology majors," said Fritsche. "It occurred to me that if I were to take a geology-oriented hike of a significant length, the geology alumni could participate if they wished and they might also be encouraged to donate to the geology scholarship fund in support of my efforts." The hike began recently at the Southern Verdugo Mountains and will conclude on Saturday, June 14, at the Rocky Peak Area of the Santa Susana Mountains. Hiking days will be interspersed with rest days, during which pictures and a geologic description of the hikes will be posted on the Internet so people can keep track of the journey’s progress. "This plan worked well on the first two GeoTreks in 2004 and 2006," said Fritsche. "So now my wife and I are embarking on GeoTrek III. Hopefully the GeoTreks will continue to be a success." Members of the public are invited to join the Fritsches on their hike. To participate in the hike or contribute to the scholarship fund, e-mail a.eugene.fritsche@csun.edu.

Northridge is LinkedIn

Cal State Northridge is now officially LinkedIn to the online network of more than 16 million experienced professionals from around the world, representing 150 industries. Connect your profile with our Cal State Northridge group and network with alumni and friends of the university. Click here for more information or to join this group.

Intercollegiate Athletics

Golf Classic
Save the date and join Matador athletics for a day of golf at the adidas Matador Golf Classic, June 23, 2008. The golf classic will take place at Porter Valley Country Club with a shotgun start at 11 a.m. Included are on-course lunch, dinner, refreshments, on-course contests and team prizes. Visit our Web site for more information.

Jolene Koester Praises Cal State Northridge Scholar-Athletes
More than 100 family and friends, faculty members, coaches, and university staff honored 55 outstanding Cal State Northridge scholar-athletes for their success in the classroom at the home of President Jolene Koester. The scholar-athletes, who have completed a minimum of one season of varsity competition and have a minimum 3.2 grade point average for the previous two semesters, were named 2008 Varsity `N Academic Athletics Honor Roll.

The Cal State Northridge Athletic Department has held this event since 1982 to honor the academic excellence of their student-athletes. While the student-athletes participated in intercollegiate athletics, their ability to balance athletics and demonstrate academic excellence is highly regarded at Cal State Northridge.

"Congratulations to this group of outstanding student-athletes," said CSUN Athletic Director Rick Mazzuto. "We honor you for your excellence on the playing field, and in the classroom."

Also acknowledged was CSUN history professor James Sefton, who originally thought of the concept of honoring Cal State Northridge student-athletes called the Varsity `N Academic Athletics Honor Roll.

Sarah Kahn-Shamout, a member of the softball team, was named the 2008 Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Kahn-Shamout, a junior, is majoring in Biology. Nick Saylor, a member of the track & field team, was named the Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Saylor is a senior who will graduate with a degree in Sociology. Jessica Beach, a member of the Matador track & field team, was given the Outstanding Graduate Scholar-Athlete of the Year award. Beach, in 2007, earned the Wolfson Scholar award, the University's highest honor for a graduating senior. Beach graduated with a 4.0 gpa in Pre-Med/Biology. Visit this link for a list of all the honorees.

Summer Youth Clinics
Spend the summer with CSUN. Members of the Matador coaching staff will be hosting youth clinics in a variety of sports starting this month. Please click on each of the respective sports below for more information.
Baseball
Basketball
Soccer
Softball


Free Weekly Athletic E-mail Updates
Matador Athletics is proud to announce our newest feature at www.GoMatadors.com. Beginning June 17, fans can register to receive a free weekly e-mail to keep up-to-date on all the accomplishments of our 350+ student-athletes and the athletic events hosted by Cal State Northridge. To sign up for this free service, CLICK HERE to register.

Members Only Benefits

Campus E-Mail Account
Members of the Alumni Association are eligible to keep their current CSUN e-mail account after graduation or activate a new five-megabyte University e-mail account. The @csun.edu account is web-based so you can access it anywhere you have internet access. Call (818) 677-2137 to activate your account. Your e-mail account is not automatically activated or continued upon graduation. All members must call (818) 677-2137 or e-mail alumni@csun.edu to request that their e-mail account continue on alumni status.

The Cal State Northridge Alumni Association values your privacy. Your e-mail address is private and not shared with off-campus solicitors or business partners. If services provided by partner companies are approved by the University or Alumni Association Board of Directors, they are included in this monthly correspondence. Your e-mail address is not provided to off campus solicitors. If you would like to be removed from the distribution list for this monthly e-newsletter, please contact us at alumni@csun.edu. Place REMOVE in the subject line and provide your e-mail address in the correspondence. Thank you.