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
Students
Toro Forensics Speech and Debate Team Wins at Tournament
Talking their way into success, three members of the California State University, Dominguez Hills Toro Forensics team won five first and second place awards at the 2012 Pacific Southwest Collegiate Forensics Association (PSCFA) Cool-Off Tournament on April 28-29 at Saddleback College. Wowing the judges at the speech and oral presentation competition, Teela Caldwell, a student in the business and public administration master's program, and Catalina Cook, a senior theatre major with a dance emphasis, took first place in the duo dramatic interpretation category for their performance of a scene from the play "The Next Mrs. Jacob Anderson," by Ann Wuehler. Cook also competed individually ... Read More
Christian Somoza: From Soldier to Psychology Graduate
At 18, Christian Somoza didn't know what he wanted to do with his life. He was enrolled in Cerritos College but was struggling a bit. After a semester he decided he wasn't ready for college, and joined the Marine Corps, where he could develop discipline, serve his country, and earn a G.I. Bill, which covers a range of veteran benefit programs, including college tuition assistance. After four years in the Marine Corps, leaving at the rank of sergeant, Somoza returned to Cerritos College ready to focus on his education. While there, he took an introductory psychology course, during which he learned more about post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSDs). It piqued his interest. “[In the ... Read More
Dedicated Job Searches at Education Fair and Green Panel
Finding a job in this economy can be particularly challenging. To make it easier, the Career Center at California State University, Dominguez Hills has improved on the general job fair by creating targeted events for those looking for specific careers. Recently the Career Center hosted two such events, one in education and the other focused on the “green” (environmentally conscious) sector. For graduating seniors looking to start their teaching careers, the education job fair held on April 20 was an opportunity to meet with more than 30 recruiters from school districts, charter schools, and organizations that hire tutors, child care personnel, and professionals that provide ... Read More
Toro Iron Chef V Cooks Up School Spirit and Great Dishes
Four teams of competitive student chefs cooked up some school spirit and Swai, an Asian catfish primarily found in the coasts of Cambodia and Vietnam, at the Fifth Annual Iron Chef event held on April 24 in the University Palm Courtyard. Contestants from the groups “Honey Dipped Chocolate,” “Pre-Health Society (PHS) Chefs,” “Peace, Love and Politics,” and “LSBA Skillet” were advised a week before the grand event that there were three possibilities for the secret ingredient: Swai, eggplant, or chicken thigh. They did not learn that Swai was the ingredient they would have to cook with until the day of the Toro Iron Chef challenge. The competition began at 4 pm, and the teams had one ... Read More
