A record 3,100 students received their diplomas during the 2012 California State University, Dominguez Hills Commencement May 18 and 19 at the Home Depot Center Tennis Stadium. It was the first time in several years the ceremonies spanned two days, with this year's exercises split into five college-based ceremonies. As expected the days were filled with big smiles, hugs, cheers, balloons, confetti, congratulatory signs and a generally festive atmosphere as faculty, administration, staff, special guests, and thousands of family and friends celebrated as master's candidates were hooded and undergraduates moved their tassels from right to left. While many undergraduate students pushed ... Read More
Archive
Ludivina Vasquez: A Better State of Mind
Ludivina Vasquez, 20, finished strong at California State University, Dominguez Hills, graduating on May 18 with a Bachelor of Art in psychology from the College of Natural and Behavioral Sciences. Vasquez started out as an average student, but reached her stride toward the end of her sophomore year. That's when she discovered research-- or when chair and professor of psychology Mark Carrier discovered her. Because she was actively participating and excelling in his critical thinking course (PSY 110), Carrier asked her to participate in the George Marsh Applied Cognition Laboratory, which he directs along with fellow psychology professor Larry Rosen and conduct her own independent ... Read More
Pamela Lane: Nursing Graduate Finds Purpose in Helping Others
For Pamela Lane - a recipient of the 2012 California State University, Dominguez Hills Presidential Award for Outstanding Student for academics, leadership and community service and the Presidential Award for Personal Perseverance who was once a high school dropout - walking in commencement exercises to receive her Master of Science in Nursing this past Saturday was not merely an academic accomplishment, but a personal triumph in turning the troubles and tragedies of her past into a future of helping others. Troubled Past Lane grew up in a broken home, her parents having divorced when she was 4 years old and her mother, who remarried and divorced twice more- to abusive heavy drinkers- ... Read More
Alumni Connect and Experience Graduation
About 70 California State University, Dominguez Hills alumni returned to the university to participate in the 2012 Commencement exercises Friday, May 18. After reminiscing and celebrating with cake during a private pre-reception held in their honor, the attending alumni, in full regalia, led the procession of soon-to-be graduates of the College of Business Administration and Public Policy into The Home Depot Center Tennis Stadium. For Frankie Stewart (Class of '83, B.A., sociology; '86, M.S., behavioral science), the alumni processional is a not-to-miss event that helps her recapture the feeling of being in college. “Academia is near and dear to my heart. Every September I agonize ... Read More
Class of 2012: The Quest for Knowledge Continues
For thousands of Toros, the end of the spring 2012 semester marked the completion of their degree from CSU Dominguez Hills. Many will now enter the workforce for the first time, or seek to change their careers thanks to their newly minted degrees. For still others, the academic road continues. Below are just some of the students who have been accepted into post graduate programs from teacher credential to doctoral at universities throughout the state, country, and world. We wish them and the entire Class of 2012 the best in their future endeavors. College of Arts and Humanities College of Natural and Behavioral Sciences College of Business Administration and Public ... Read More
President Mildred García: A Fond Farewell
Poignant tributes and well wishes marked a farewell reception on May 10 for California State University, Dominguez Hills President Mildred García. More than 250 guests attended to take a look back at the many significant accomplishments García has made during her five-year term at helm of the university. Discussing what is possibly the broadest accomplishment García has achieved–an increased presence of CSU Dominguez Hills within surrounding communities–guests and speakers alike shared similar views of how she helped to make CSU Dominguez Hills the university of choice in the South Bay. “I think she has been a benefit to this school, in the way the school is seen by the community. ... Read More
Nursing Student Receives U.S. State Department Critical Language Scholarship
California State University, Dominguez Hills Bachelor of Nursing (BSN) student Anna Rosen will be spending eight weeks in Tunisia this summer following her selection by the U.S. Department of State to its Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) program. Rosen was one of only 575 undergraduate and graduate students chosen out of a field of 5,200 applicants nationwide to receive the scholarship for 2012. She will be studying Arabic in the city of Tunis. “I'm really excited,” said the 24-year-old Santa Barbara resident. “It will be my first time to Northern Africa. It's also the first country to start the Arab Spring; I'm interested to see what the country is like now.” Rosen says she has ... Read More
College Bound to College Bond: Mother and Daughter Graduate Together
For parents, seeing their children grow up and enter college is a source of pride, but, for some, the letting go part can be tough. Natasha Smith-Patterson found a way around that. Rather than send her daughter off to college, she went with her. This week, Smith-Patterson and her first-born child, Kalani Patterson, will graduate together from California State University, Dominguez Hills with degrees in sociology -a master's and a bachelor's, respectively. In 2006, with the responsibility of running her own day care service in Long Beach and raising her then-infant and youngest child, TaTen'e, Smith-Patterson hoped to persuade her college-bound daughter to attend a university close ... Read More
Edison International Donation Advances Student Scholarship Opportunities
California State University, Dominguez Hills has received a $25,000 gift from Edison International. The donation will specifically support two annual events for student scholarships at the university, the President's Scholarship Reception and the College of Business Administration and Public Policy (CBAPP) Luncheon. “CSU Dominguez Hills is proud to have partners like Edison International who, like us, see the value in investing in the education of this region's diverse citizenry,” said University President Mildred García. “We thank them for their support.” Held each year in April, the President's Scholarship Reception raises money for the Presidential Scholarship Program, the ... Read More
CSUDH President Mildred Garcia bids fond farewell to South Bay
Published in the Daily Breeze ALMOST five years ago, I arrived here in the South Bay as a transplant from New York to serve as the president of California State University, Dominguez Hills in Carson. In February, I was appointed to the presidency of one of our sister universities, Cal State Fullerton and will take my place there in June. As I look forward to the celebration of the 2012 Commencement Ceremonies on Friday and Saturday and look back on my tenure at CSU Dominguez Hills, it is with a sense of poignancy and pride. Three factors stand out that will make the transition much easier: the university's strong connections in the South Bay, pride in our graduates and the ... Read More