As reported in the CSUSB Coyote News, the November 14 “History Discovery Day” was a hit! Dozens of middle school students from around the region were able to get into the stacks of CSUSB’s Pfau Library, 

The History Department’s Professor Michelle Lorimer played a central role in coordinating the events, and she was joined by excellent CSUSB students, pictured here. Also key to organizing the events were Rebecca Lubas, dean of the CSUSB Libraries, and Fermín Jaramillo, coordinator from San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools Department of Leadership and Outreach.

Dr. Lorimer noted, “We hosted a successful Student Discovery Day. It brought over 80 junior high students from Barstow, Pinion Mesa, and Ontario/Montclair to campus to engage in historical research with our librarians and History department students.” This kind of outreach welcomes regional students, and helps them imagine a course of study in History, and helps them picture a future here at CSUSB. In the short term, it helps them prepare to ace their work planned for the 36th annual San Bernardino County History Day Competition in March!

Current CSUSB History student, Gustavo Alonso (BA ‘24, MA ‘26), also said of the day’s events: “Seeing the newer generations delve into the 'archives' and the primary sources made this experience seriously unforgettable and impactful. The maturity and care with which some of these middle school students touched on difficult topics – such as research by a group of young girls on femicide in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico – demonstrate the continuing importance of history as a discipline for future generations to come. I truly enjoyed helping the 'kiddos' and was glad to participate in an event like this at Cal State San Bernardino."

Read the full CSUSB News item here, and find more images and details. The 36th annual San Bernardino County History Day Competition, set for March 7 at CSUSB, and the theme will be “Revolution, Reaction and Reform in History.”

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