CSUN Rising Initiative Kick-Off
On Friday, Feb. 25, California State University, Northridge officially kicks off the most ambitious capital initiative in its history. The $10 million goal initiative is called "CSUN Rising" in commemoration of the last phase of our earthquake recovery efforts and the beginning of a new era at the university as one of the most technologically modern college campuses in the nation.
We officially launch the initiative at a special celebration on Feb. 25 in the Sierra Quad facing the Sierra Tower, beginning at 1:30 p.m. We will be joined by many dignitaries and special guests, including President-Elect Jolene Koester. I encourage all members of the campus community - students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends from the surrounding neighborhood - to attend what promises to be an exciting celebration. (In the event of rain, the event will be held at the Performing Arts Center of the University Student Union.)
The goal of CSUN Rising is to acquire equipment and furnishings, and to update the teaching facilities in new buildings currently under construction for the College of Arts, Media, and Communication and the College of Health and Human Development, and the Center of Achievement for the Physically Disabled, the Language, Speech and Hearing Center, and the Art and Design Center. The initiative will provide funding for instructional equipment for film, television, video and animation studios, screening rooms and multimedia labs, fine arts studios, test kitchens and other similar high-tech facilities. While support from the Federal Emergency Management Agency allowed us to replace the original structures damaged by the Northridge earthquake, this initiative gives us the opportunity to dramatically upgrade the university's capabilities for providing instruction and community service in state-of-the-art facilities. We already have received significant contributions to the campaign, including a $1.5 million gift from Abbott and Linda Brown, the largest gift ever made to the university by an alumnus (Mrs. Brown received her degree at CSUN in History), and a $1 million federal appropriation obtained with the help of Congressman Howard "Buck" McKeon. As this shows, we are already well on our way to meeting the goal of the CSUN Rising initiative.
I hope all members of the campus community will join us in celebrating the launch of the university's first major capital initiative.
Alumni Association Hosts Evening with Eric Lloyd Wright
This Saturday, Feb. 26, the Alumni Association is proud to host "Style and Substance: An Evening with Eric Lloyd Wright" at the Ennis-Brown House in Hollywood Hills. The residence was designed by Wright's grandfather, famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Mr. Eric Lloyd Wright, a respected architect in his own right, will speak about his grandfather's design for the house.
The Ennis-Brown House, well known through its appearance in films and commercials, is one of the first residences built from concrete block and is considered one of the most distinguished residential architectural landmarks in the United States. The house has been visited and studied by many renowned artists, architectural historians and architects, and we are pleased by the opportunity to share the beauty of this landmark with the campus community.
This event holds particular significance for Cal State Northridge because a dozen design students, under the guidance of Family Environmental Sciences Department Associate Professor Roberta Mauksch, recently proposed restoration designs for two areas within the house. The students and their designs are part of the evening event and we are delighted to recognize Professor Mauksch and the work of her students in this way.
The event is scheduled from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. and includes a dramatic viewing of sunset from the home, a presentation by Yale University Dean of Architecture Robert A.M. Stern, and a brief talk by Mr. Wright. Tickets are available to the general public at $75 per person.
In order to ensure that CSUN students and recent graduates can attend (particularly those who are in the Interior Design Program), the Alumni Association is offering a discount package and incentive to faculty and staff. If faculty or staff agree to co-sponsor a student or recent graduate for $40, they can obtain a ticket for $50, a $25 savings. The first priority for sponsorships goes to students; remaining tickets will be distributed to recent graduates on a first-come, first-served basis.
We hope members of the university community can join us for this unique event and will consider sponsoring a student. Please contact Mr. Gray Mounger, Director of Alumni Relations, at ext. 2137 or e-mail gray.mounger@csun.edu for reservations or more details. Information about the Ennis-Brown Home can be found at http://www.ennisbrownhouse.org.
CSUN Candidates' Forum
The Associated Students is hosting a forum featuring candidates running in the 19th Senate and 38th Assembly Districts, both of which encompass California State University, Northridge.
The forum will be held on Wednesday, March 1, from noon to 3 p.m., in the Grand Salon of the University Student Union. Former A.S. President Steven Parker will serve as moderator.
I encourage members of the university community to take advantage of this opportunity to pose questions and engage the candidates in a discussion of the issues. Participatory democracy is a precious right and is one of the few things in life that grows stronger with use.
For Chicana/Chicano Studies Foundation Event
On Thursday, March 2, the For Chicana/Chicano Studies Foundation will hold a fundraiser at the Orpheum Theater in downtown Los Angeles featuring a special showing of the film, One Man's Hero.
One Man's Hero is a 1999 film about the famed San Patricios, a unit of largely Irish immigrant soldiers who fought for Mexico during the U.S.-Mexican War (1846-48) for reasons of conscience and religion. The film stars Tom Berenger.
The movie's screening is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and will be preceded by an appearance by the film's director, Mr. Lance Hool, and its producer, Mr. Conrad Hool. Some of the actors from the movie also have been invited to attend and speak.
Tickets are a very affordable $15 apiece, with group rates of 25 or more available for $10 a ticket. Anyone interested in attending should contact the For Chicana/Chicano Studies Foundation at (213) 623-7455.
Campus Achievements
- Dr. Sheldon Harris, Professor Emeritus in the Department of History, will make a presentation at an international conference in Shanghai, China, about his research on Japanese atrocities committed during World War II, particularly during the conduct of biological warfare experiments. Dr. Harris is a recognized scholar in this area and has spoken and published extensively on this subject. His book, Factories of Death: Japanese Biological Warfare, 1932 1945, and the American Cover-Uprecently was translated into Japanese where its first and second printings have sold out, and a third printing is in the works.
My congratulations to Dr. Harris on his continued activities and success as an emeritus professor.
- Although it did not receive widespread coverage, I am proud to report that the CSUN men's volleyball team upset UCLA on Feb. 17 at an away game for the Matadors. As a result of the victory, the team moved up to a No. 14 ranking from No. 15 in the USA Todaycoaches' poll, while UCLA dropped to No. 6 from No. 4.
Anyone familiar with UCLA¹s storied tradition in men's volleyball and CSUN's record against their program will know that this is a major accomplishment for our men's volleyball team. My heartiest congratulations to Coach Jeff Campbell and his players.
Louanne Kennedy
Interim President
Other "From the President's Desks"
CSUN home page
Interim President Louanne Kennedy