California State University, Long Beach

California State University, Long Beach (also known as Long Beach State, Cal State Long Beach, CSULB, LBSU or The Beach!) is the largest campus of the California State University system and the second largest university in the state of California. It is located in Long Beach, California, at the southern coastal tip of Los Angeles County.

History

Established in 1949 by California Governor Earl Warren to serve the rapidly expanding post World War II population of Orange and Southern Los Angeles counties, CSULB has grown to be one of the state's largest and most well respected universities. At its inception, the institution was known as Los Angeles-Orange County State College. It consisted of 25 courses taught by 13 faculty members in two apartment buildings at 5381 Anaheim Road in Long Beach. In June 1950, the citizens of Long Beach voted overwhelmingly to purchase 320 acres for the use as a permanent campus by the college. The purchase price was nearly $1,000,000.

Related Topics:
1949 - Earl Warren - World War II - Los Angeles - College - Long Beach - 1950

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

By 1960, the student body had skyrocketed to more than 10,000 students, and by 1966, that number would be 20,000. In 1962, LBSC changed its name to California State College at Long Beach in an effort unify with the state system and enhance its prestige.

Related Topics:
1960 - 1966 - 1962

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 1965, CSCLB hosted the first International Sculpture Symposium to be held in the United States and the first at a college or university. Six sculptors from around the world and two from the United States created many of the monumental sculptures seen today on the campus. The event received national media attention from newspapers around the country including the New York Times, Los Angeles Times Magazine, Art in America and a six-page color spread in Fortune Magazine.

Related Topics:
1965 - International Sculpture Symposium - United States - College - University - Newspaper - New York Times - Los Angeles Times - Art in America - Fortune Magazine

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The school acquired university status in 1972 along with 12 other state college campuses. The promotion was decided by the Board of Trustees of the California State University system, according to total enrollment, size of graduate programs, complexity and diversity of majors and number of doctorates held by faculty at each college. CSCLB became CSULB.

Related Topics:
University - 1972

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Also in 1972, the campus became the home of the largest library facility in the then 19-campus CSU system: a modern six-story building with a seating capacity of nearly 4,000 students.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 1995, President Maxson initiated the privately funded President's Scholars Program providing all qualified California high school valedictorians and National Merit finalists and semi-finalists with a full four-year scholarship package which includes tuition, books, and housing. Since the programs inception more than 600 students have accepted the scholarship.

Related Topics:
1995 - Valedictorian - National Merit

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

As of Fall 2004, CSULB had approximately 34,566 students in attendance, making it the most populous campus of the CSU system and the second largest university in California.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Puvunga

The campus is believed to be the location of an ancient Tongva village and burial site known as Puvunga and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as such. CSULB has challenged this designation, claiming they were not consulted when the application was filed. In 1995, when the university attempted to build on the last undeveloped portion of the campus, the Tongva people filed a lawsuit and initiated protest which involved physically occupying the land day and night to stave off bulldozers. There were also lawsuits between Dr. Keith Dixon, professor emeritus of anthropology, the university, and the Tongva people concerning the improper storage of aboriginal remains and artifacts. All matters were put to rest when President Maxson promised that as long as he was president no development would occur at the site. He further stated he did not wish to make a more permanent agreement because he did not want to tie the hands of future administrations. To date, no development has occurred on this portion of the campus.

Related Topics:
Tongva - Puvunga - National Register of Historic Places - 1995 - Bulldozer - Emeritus - Anthropology - Aboriginal

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~