With the theme “Leading a Legacy to Black Excellence,” the Cal State San Bernardino Black Faculty, Staff and Student Association (BFSSA) held its Eighth Annual Pioneer Breakfast on Feb. 28 to recognize community leaders and outstanding students.
 
The Pioneer Breakfast, which coincides with the celebration of Black History Month, serves as a fundraiser for six scholarships benefitting current CSUSB students, said Anthony Roberson, the associate director of operations at the Santos Manuel Student Union and member of the BFSSA.
 
The event, which was held in the Santos Manuel Student Union Events Center, honored six community members for their outstanding service to the university. This year’s honorees were:
 

  • Monica Stockhausen, Emerging Leader Award;
  • Rialto Mayor Deborah Robertson, Community Icon Award;  
  • Herbert English Jr., Staff Award; 
  • Dr. Elise Traynum, Alumni Award;  
  • Cynthia Linton, Administration Award;
  • Althea Waites, Faculty Award; and
  • Jesse Felix, Lorraine Frost Ally Award.

 
CSUSB President Tomás D. Morales praised the honorees for their dedicated service.
 
“On behalf of the entire CSUSB community, I want to thank this group of remarkable agents of change. It is you who honor us,” Morales told the more than 400 people in attendance. “Your dedication, vision and resolve has established an impressive standard for all that follow.”
Morales said the university is dedicated to increasing the number of African American students attending CSUSB.
 
“We are continuing our commitment to increase African American enrollment and expanding efforts to improve retention and graduation rates. CSUSB has dedicated resources to support African American students in their academic and personal growth,” Morales said.
The university is also working directly with the campus’ most active African American student organizations and learning communities to better understand their experiences at CSUSB and determine ways to meet students’ needs.
 
“We are supporting and encouraging the university’s chapter of the Student African American Brotherhood. As I see it, SAAB and CSUSB share a common mission of helping individuals excel academically, socially, culturally, professionally, and in the community,” Morales said.
 
The university is also working with graduates to work with students and seeking their involvement in serving as mentors to current students, Morales said.
 
The event also featured the awarding of scholarships from the BFSSA.
 
This year’s scholarship recipients are:
 

  • Tatiana Flowers – Dr. Mildred Henry Scholarship;
  • Olabode Lawal – John Overton Memorial Scholarship;
  • Tylynn Jade Perryman – Belva Holder Memorial Scholarship;
  • Anthony Jones – Terrilyn Monette Memorial Scholarship;
  • Breeonna Bright – Dr. J Milton Clark Scholarship; and
  • Maya Price – Dr. Jean Peacock and Walter Hawkins Scholarship

 
The recipients of the Friends of John Futch Book Scholarship were: Robert Durwood, Kameron Pyant, Erriycka Slaughter, Ericka Ross, Starr Booth and Olivier Uzabakiriho.
 
The winners of the Cynthia Linton Essay Contest were: Shanta Skipper and Vonisha Raines.
 
Proceeds from the Pioneer Breakfast also support the annual Black Graduation recognition ceremony.

Cal State San Bernardino Black Faculty, Staff and Student Association (BFSSA) held its Eighth Annual Pioneer Breakfast on Feb. 28

 

Six community members for their outstanding service to the university.