The CSUDH Gerth Archives and Special Collections' ongoing CSU Japanese American Digitization Project (CSUJAD) is an ambitious effort that preserves the history of California's Japanese American communities, particularly those lost or uprooted during World War II. In recognition of the project's scope and success, the CSUJAD has been awarded the 2021 Philip M. Hamer and Elizabeth Hamer Kegan Award from the Society of American Archivists. “It's really heartening to be recognized,” says Greg Williams, director of the Gerth Archives and principal investigator for CSUJAD. “The award illustrates and recognizes the breadth and depth of the CSUJAD archives and the hard work of our entire team ... Read More
Archive
Daily Breeze: CSUDH Student Makes History as One of the Oldest Graduates with a Double Major
Source: Daily Breeze It's never too late to receive an education, and one Cal State Dominguez Hills graduate set out to prove that. During the first day of the school's commencement ceremonies earlier this week, Maria Manning, a double major in liberal studies and Spanish public services, was among the students from the 2020 and 2021 classes to receive their diplomas at Dignity Health Sports Park. Manning did so at 88 years old – making her one of the oldest students in the Cal State University System to graduate with a double major. But her road to success faced many setbacks along the way. Manning, originally from the Cape Verde islands in West Africa, immigrated to America ... Read More
Commencement Delivers an Intimate Feel with Heartfelt Moments
While the number of graduates, and the family and friends cheering them on in person, was substantially less this year due to COVID-19, the scaled-down ceremonies for the Class of 2020 and Class of 2021 Commencements helped mark a return to normalcy for the Toro Nation, and were some of most intimate and heartfelt in recent memory. Seven commencement ceremonies in all took place May 24-26 in the Tennis Stadium at Dignity Health Sports Park. To comply with public health guidelines, seating was restricted, with graduates sitting in the stands with two guests, instead of on the stadium floor. To close each ceremony, graduates were recognized individually from the stands, and were shown on ... Read More
Women’s Studies Grants First Degrees
Women's Studies has only been a major at CSUDH for one year, but its first four graduates are already earning their degrees this spring. As Associate Professor and Coordinator of Women's Studies Jenn Brandt says, “We're so excited. To have all of these wonderful students, in a pandemic, not only surviving but thriving, has exceeded my expectations! I know they're going to go on and make the university very proud.” The four women who make up Women's Studies' first graduating cohort have each taken their own unique path to their degree. “This group is so representative of the diversity that we have in the major,” says Brandt. “They're all coming from different backgrounds and going off to ... Read More
Class of 2021: Sallyanne Payton Bestowed CSU Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters
As a force for change on the national stage, and for her wide-ranging contributions to education and Black culture and history, Sallyanne Payton was bestowed a California State University Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters by CSUDH during its 2020-21 Commencement on May 26. Payton's career is marked by major milestones and prominent appointments. From the early years at Stanford University and in the administrations of two U.S. presidents, to her work as an educator and leader of the preservation of sacred music, Payton has remained a principled advocate for societal change, and those she inspires. “It's wonderful to be recognized by the university. It's always thrilling when someone ... Read More
Class of 2021 Scholars Reflect on the Toro Experience
Graduates from the Presidential Scholars Program, the McNair Scholarship Program, and the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship share their Toro experiences, inspirational faculty mentors, future plans, and more. Raquel Serrano, Women's Studies: Mellon Mays Scholar Inspirational Mentor(s): Associate Professor of Women's Studies Jenn Brandt. See below. Scholarship Takeaways: Through the Mellon Mays program Raquel has traveled, networked, and advanced her skills as a scholar. She calls the experience “one of the best things to happen in my life.” Campus Life: Raquel enjoyed many opportunities at CSUDH that helped “sky-rocket” her success. Next Move: Raquel has been accepted into ... Read More
Class of 2021 Graduate Matthew Hernandez Takes First at Statewide CSU Student Research Conference
Matthew Hernandez is on a roll. On May 1, the English literature major took first place at the 35th Annual California State University Student Research Competition (SRC) in the Humanities and Letters undergraduate category. The win comes two months after he advanced to the statewide competition, having placed first in the same category at the CSUDH Student Research Conference. Hernandez says the two SRC wins were a memorable way to cap off his final semester at CSUDH. “It was a wonderful experience competing with others in the CSU system,” says Hernandez, who was one of seven CSUDH students selected to represent the university at SRC. “But I didn't feel any more daunted going into ... Read More
Comic Jesus Trejo Speaks To Fellow Toros at Dolores Huerta Grad Celebration
When CSUDH alum Jesus Trejo first saw his invitation to speak at this year's Dolores Huerta Graduation Celebration, he thought he was in trouble. “To be completely honest, I was freaking out,” he laughs. “I thought they were reaching out because of some parking ticket I forgot to pay when I was going to Dominguez Hills, or maybe an overdue book that I never returned back in 2010.” Then the up-and-coming comedian opened the letter and discovered it was an invitation to speak at the annual event. “I was genuinely at a loss for words,” says Trejo. “I'm truly honored and humbled by this opportunity to be able to come back to my home turf and be able to speak at the Dolores Huerta Graduation ... Read More
CSUDH Graduate Student Takes Second Place in Statewide Thesis Competition
Condensing two years of study and research into a three-minute presentation is a daunting task, but that's just what CSUDH graduate student Nicole Roberts managed to do for the inaugural California State University (CSU) Grad Slam Three-Minute Thesis Competition (3MT), held on May 6. She clearly did a great job, as her presentation earned Roberts a second-place finish in the statewide competition against a slate of graduate students from throughout the CSU system. Roberts, who will attain her master's degree in biology this spring, took the prize with a pared-down version of her master's thesis, “Where will threatened bats be under climate change in 2050?” “My whole project was trying ... Read More
Seven Accomplished Keynote Speakers to Address the Classes of 2020 and 2021
Commencement is back at CSUDH! Although socially distanced and in fewer numbers than a typical year, the Toro Nation will come together for the first time after more than a year of virtual education to celebrate both the Class of 2020 and the Class of 2021 during in-person Commencement ceremonies May 24-26. Seven ceremonies in total will take place in the Tennis Stadium at Dignity Health Sports Park over the three days. With restricted stadium seating, students will sit in the stands this year with their two guests, instead of on the stadium floor. Each ceremony will also be live streamed so that other family and friends can celebrate remotely. Even with the changes needed to comply ... Read More
