Campus Highlights

Opened to students in 1970, California State University, Bakersfield has matured into a highly regarded institution offering bachelor’s degrees in 28 disciplines and master’s degrees in 14 subject areas. The University has more than 5,700 students, 64% of whom are female. Whites comprise the largest segment of the CSUB student body at about 56%, followed by Hispanics at 27.2%, Asian-American/Pacific Islanders, 8.1%, African-Americans, 6.7% and Native Americans, 2%. A beautiful campus encompassing 375 acres, the University and its excellent faculty provide students with quality programs that are not only responsive to the needs of the region, but which are preparing graduates for success in the 21st century. Some interesting facts about California State University, Bakersfield include:

• CSU Bakersfield students are accepted at an impressive rate into the best graduate school programs in the country, including top medical and law schools, as well as first-rate doctoral programs.

 
• Chemistry Professor Roy Lafever and student Karlo Lopez have isolated a plant compound that could lead to significant benefits in medicine and agriculture. As a result of this research, Dr. Lafever received a National Science Foundation grant to continue his work. The project was also the winner at the 1998 Central California Research Symposium.

 
• History Professor Jerry Stanley’s children’s books about historical events have not only received numerous national honors and awards, but one of his books, Children of the Dustbowl, has been optioned for a movie starring Kevin Costner.

 
• CSUB is well know for being a student-centered institution with an Honors Program offering academic enrichment and support for high achieving students, as well as special tutoring to assist students who need special help. In addition, students cite small classes and professor accessibility and attentiveness as a primary reason for choosing CSUB.

 
• CSUB hosts the internationally acclaimed annual Bakersfield Business Conference which brings together former presidents and former world leaders along with top journalists, newsmakers and entertainers to discuss politics, business and international affairs.

 
• Athletics is also a big part of the CSUB experience, with the university having won 26 NCAA national championships in a variety of sports over the last 24 years.

 
• Fortune 500 companies regularly hire Professor MohsenAttaran as a consultant on important business issues and key corporate decisions.

 
• CSUB created the nationally recognized 60-Plus Club which uses the skills and talents of retirees to assist the university in a variety of areas.

 
• English Professor Michael Flachmann was named Carnegie Foundation United States Professor of the Year in 1995 and the CSU systemwide Trustees’ Outstanding Professor in 1993. Philosophy Professor Jacqueline Kegley received the same CSU systemwide honor in 1989.

 
• Retired CSUB biology Professor Duane Blume has assembled five American scientists who are pooling their efforts to find a vaccine for valley fever. They are working under a $1.5 million California HealthCare Foundation grant administered by the Center for Biomedical Research at CSUB.

 
• CSUB students Edward Elliott, William Ott and Kyle White recorded the highest-ever finish by a CSUB team in the nation’s most prestigious math tournament — the William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition. The team finished in the top 20% among more than 400 teams.

 
• CSUB is home to the annual spring Bakersfield Jazz Festival which draws thousands of fans as well as some the nation’s top jazz groups.

 
• CSUB has the system’s highest percentage of faculty with Ph.D.’s or other terminal degrees.