Next >

The inaugural is really a celebration of the history of CSUB and our connection to and partnership with our service region.
It's also a new beginning of sorts for the university with its first new president in two decades."

-Jim George, Provost

Celebrate!

2-day event commemorates 35th anniversary, inauguration

By Mike Stepanovich

A two-day celebration of CSUB’s 35^th anniversary and inauguration of the university’s fourth president, Horace Mitchell, is slated for Thursday and Friday, May 19-20.

The celebration begins with a gala reception and dinner for the opening night of the CSUB Theater department’s production of “The Boy Friend” on Thursday night, and concludes with a black-tie optional inaugural ball on Friday night. In between are lectures, a luncheon honoring the founding faculty, staff and administrators, and the inauguration ceremony itself featuring the march of the alumni.

The public is welcome and invited to all of the inauguration and 35^th anniversary celebration events, the theme for which is “Linking the Past to the Future: Excellence through Partnerships.”

“Inauguration day will be a full day from morning ‘til midnight,” said Laura Wolfe, assistant vice president for development and a member of the inauguration planning committee.

Mitchell, who arrived on campus in July 2004, asked that inaugural events be planned as a celebration of the 35-year history of the university. So the celebration will also honor campus founders, the University’s 25,000 plus alumni and the partnership with our community.  The excellence of current faculty and will be spotlighted.

“The inaugural is really a celebration of the history of CSUB and our connection to and partnership with our service region,” said Provost Jim George, who chaired the campus Inaugural Committee. That group, comprised of campus and community members, has been planning and organizing the week's events for the past five months.

“It's also a new beginning of sorts for the university with its first new president in two decades," George added. “The fine work of the faculty and the university's array of first-class programs continue. But President Mitchell's arrival has helped us focus on strengthening CSUB's connections with its community and creating a more user-friendly environment on campus.”

The celebration begins Thursday night with opening night gala for “The Boy Friend,” the musical comedy that opened on Broadway in September 1954 running for 485 performances, and introduced Julie Andrews. Tickets to the gala opening include pre-play dinner, the performance itself and a dessert buffet at intermission. Additionally an art exhibit is planned in conjunction in the Todd Madigan Gallery. Proceeds from the gala ticket sales help underwrite the musical and support the Fine Arts Merit Award Scholarships. Tickets for the opening night gala are $60 per person.

Friday opens with a series of inaugural seminars, featuring award-winning faculty members. The seminars, all open to the public free, are, from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m.:

 • Philosophy professor Jackie Kegley, 2000 Wang Family Excellence Award winner, discussing "New Biomedical Technology: Promises And Perils: What Do We Want?  What Do We Need?” Student Union multi-purpose room.

• Chemistry professor Roy Lafever discussing "Cancer, Cosmetics and the Common Cold – What Is The Connection?” Cafeteria, Stockdale Room.

• Anthropology and archaeology professor Robert Yohe discussing “Who’s Your Mummy? Mummification Practices in Roman Egypt.” Dezember Center.

• Reading literacy professor Geri Mohler discussing “A Community Collaboration to Provide Literacy Instruction and Materials for Bakersfield City Preschools.” Doré Theatre, Albertson Room.

Seminars from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m.:

• English professor Michael Flachmann, 1999 Wang Family Excellence Award winner, discussing "Sex, Lies And Shakespeare.” Dezember Center.

• History professor Oliver Rink, 1995-6 CSUB Outstanding Professor; and biology professor Maynard Moe, 2002 Leadership Award winner, discussing “Plagues, Politics, and the Pursuit of Power.” Student Union multi-purpose room.

• Marketing professor Mohsen Attaran, 2004 Ablin Outstanding Professor, discussing “From Re-Engineering to Engineering – How Large and Small Companies are Racing to Overhaul Operations for the Internet Age.” Cafeteria, Stockdale Room.

• Music professor Doug Davis, 2003 Wang Family Excellence Award winner, discussing "Jazz: The World's Folk Music," Music Building.

The Founders’ Lunch in Runner Park from noon to 2 p.m., will celebrate the 35^th anniversary of the university’s opening in 1970, and recognize the founding faculty, staff, and administration. All emeriti faculty, former staff and administrators are invited back for the celebratory luncheon, which is free.

The inaugural ceremony will begin at 3 p.m. in the Amphitheater, with representatives from the Legislature, CSU Board of Trustees, Chancellor’s Office, all other CSU campuses and other institutions of higher learning participating. Chancellor Charles B. Reed is expected to attend, along with Murray Galinson, chair of the CSU Board of Trustees.

Following the inaugural procession in full academic regalia will be the March of the Alumni. Alumni will march in grouped in the decade of their graduation – this time without cap and gown. Those marching will have a reserved seat for the ceremony and a special alumni gift. Alumni interested in participating in the march are invited to call (661) 664-3211, or visit the website at www.csub.edu/inauguration/ to RSVP.

During the investiture, Reed will present Mitchell with the CSUB Presidential Medallion, a new seal designed especially for this occasion. The ceremony will conclude by 4:30 p.m. and be followed with a celebratory reception. A reception with punch and cookies will follow the ceremony.

The Inaugural Ball, from 6:30 p.m. to midnight at Seven Oaks Country Club, will conclude the celebration. The reception is from 6:30 to 7 p.m., with dinner and program from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Dancing will begin about 9 p.m. to music performed by CSUB student groups. Tickets to the ball are $75 per person, with proceeds being used to defray costs of other inaugural events.

Four hotels in Bakersfield are offering special rates for those traveling to attend the celebration: the Doubletree Hotel, Homewood Suites, Four Points by Sheraton, and Residence Inn by Marriott.

“This is a campus-wide effort, and everyone’s involved and very excited about this,” said Linda Mikita, a member of the president’s staff and the planning committee. “It’s the beginning of a new era”