Archive

Anonymous Donation in Memory of Olga Morales

The Retirees’ Association Board of Directors extends a special “Thank you” to the individual who donated $500.00 in memory of Olga Morales. Olga worked at CSUSB for 28 years before retiring in 2012. She was the Director of Academic Resources, and she oversaw the university’s commencement ceremonies.

Former CSBS Associate Dean, Jean Peacock, remembers Olga as a consummate professional whose bursts of laughter could light up a room. Dr. Andrew Bodman, former provost, and Olga’s supervisor before she retired recalls “I enjoyed working with her; she was intensely loyal and never afraid to express her opinions, something I found very refreshing. “She was a very capable budget manager and was particularly helpful during the budget crisis of 2009-10, my first year at CSUSB; the fact that Academic Affairs emerged pretty much intact from that budget ‘shock’ was, in large measure, a tribute to her skill and aptitude,” said Bodman.

The Retirees Association Endowed Scholarship provides funds to a CSUSB student who has a parent working at the University. The scholarship is available to sophomore, junior or senior undergraduates enrolled full or part-time with a GPA of 2.8 or higher.

To donate to the scholarship fund, please phone the Advancement Office (909) 537-5004 or follow directions pertaining to the Endowed Scholarship on the Association’s Home page.

Klarissa Mendoza

Two-Time Recipient of Association's Scholarship

Dear CSUSB Retirees Association,

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your generosity in selecting me to receive the CSUSB Retirees Association Scholarship Endowment for the 2023-2024 academic year. I am very honored to be a recipient o fthis life changing award, and this will surely aid my success in my final year at California State University, San Bernardino.

I am currently a senior majoring in Health Services Administration. My experience and passion of helping others has encouraged me to remain focused on growing within the medical field as a long-term career. As I am nearing the end of completing my bachelor's degree, I am working towards graduating with honors and this scholarship will ensure that my education is my focal point throughout the academic year. I will be able to pay my tuition without the stress of other espenses and this generous award will ultimately alleviate my financial burdens. 

Once again, I would like to express my sincere appreciation for your generosity. Receiving this scholarship not only helps me to complete my degree and live out my lifelong goal of helping others, but it helps me to remember that anything is possible. I will continue to strive to be the best student and I thank you for your investment in me. I assure you that I will work diligently to make the most of this award.

Sincerely,

Klarissa Mendoza

Letter (PDF)

Klarissa Mendoza

2022-23 Retirees Association Scholarship Recipient

Dear CSUSB Retirees Association,

I want to take the time to thank you for selecting me to be a recipient for the CSUSB Retirees Association Scholarship Endowment for the academic year 2022-2023. I am humbled and honored to have been considered for this award and your generosity will surely make a positive impact towards my educational experience at CSUSB.

I am currently entering my junior year, majoring in Health Services Administration. Shortly after I obtain my bachelor's degree, I plan to pursue a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies. I have always been passionate about helping others, which
is why the medical field has always been a destined area for me. I am moved to be able to give back to my community one day and I aspire to be a competent provider in healthcare services. With the generous funds that I am being awarded, I will be able to pay my tuition without the stress of other expenses. This will not only alleviate my financial burdens, but also allow me to focus solely on my studies and education.

I want to say thank you once again for providing aid for my future by awarding me the CSUSB Retirees Association Scholarship Endowment. I will stay committed to being a great investment and I dedicate myself to being an exemplary student. I hope one day I can help students achieve their goals just as you have helped me. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Klarissa Mendoza

Letter (PDF)

Barbara Cabrera

2021-22 Retirees Association Scholarship Recipient

I am honored to have been selected as one of the recipients for the CSUSB Retirees Association Scholarship Endowment for the 2021-2022 academic year. I appreciate your financial support towards my education! 

I am currently a senior nursing student who will graduate this upcoming semester. After graduating with my Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) I will study for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). The NCLEX is a comprehensive exam used by the state boards to determine whether a candidate is ready to start practicing as a nurse. I plan on studying for the NCLEX for 3 months while simultaneously working as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). My practice as a CNA will allow me to continue expanding upon my nursing skills and provide me with an opportunity for networking. Once I pass the NCLEX, I will apply for a Registered Nurse job and hopefully get hired by Kaiser's Labor and Delivery Unit. The money provided through this scholarship will be used towards the books, courses, and access codes needed for next semester. 

Once again, I thank you for your generosity. Being a recipient has motivated me to keep pushing towards my goals. One day I will give back to my community and change the lives of others, just like you have changed mine. Thank you! 

Sincerely, 
Brenda Cabrera

Lance Higgins

2021-22 Retirees Association Scholarship Recipient

I sincerely thank you for offering me the CSUSB Retirees Association Scholarship
Endowment for the Academic Year of 2021-22. The CSUSB Retirees Association has
lessened my need for student loans and that is a genuine sense of relief during this
stressful time in online learning.

I am an English major here at CSUSB, and I plan on graduating by the end of the fall semester. After I graduate, I plan on working toward getting a graduate degree in English. Funny enough, I was utilizing the fee waiver from CSUSB because my father is an associate of the college. However, only one child of a faculty member can use the fee waiver per semester. This fall semester, my sister will be taking classes at CSUSB and I want her to be able to utilize the fee wavier for her tuition like I have. I have a slightly bigger tuition to worry about this next semester and this scholarship will help me avoid any students loans. Despite the contingent nature of online learning for a lot of students, there is mass comfort in knowing support from donors like the CSUSB Retirees Association exists for financially struggling students like myself. I am immensely thankful for your generosity and support during this pandemic. At the time of writing, I was stressing about the ways I would be able to afford college in the fall, and now with this scholarship, I know I will be financially stable enough to not need student loans and make good on my academic journey toward greater opportunities.

Thanks,
Lance Higgins

New CSUSB Performing Arts Center construction project plans approved

The construction and renovation project would add two new buildings to campus including a new Performing Arts Center and an academic building that would serve as an anchor to the College of Arts and Letters.

Cal State San Bernardino is one step closer to a new Performing Arts village at the university, a $111 million construction and renovation project that would add two new buildings to campus including a new Performing Arts Center and an academic building that would serve as an anchor to the College of Arts and Letters.

The project will also renovate the existing performing arts building for future college expansion. 

The schematic design of the village project was approved by the California State University Board of Trustees at its Sept. 23 meeting. The project is currently scheduled to open during the 2024-25 academic year.

“The new performing arts center will both redefine the entry experience to the university and at the same time, provide state-of-the-art academic experiences to our students. We expect that this will be the premier performing arts facility for our community and the Inland Empire,” said Doug Freer, CSUSB vice president for administration and finance.

Read the complete article.

Women's Volleyball Team Capture CSUSB's first National Championship!

In case you missed it, the Cal State SB women's volleyball team captured the NCAA Division 2 nationall championship with a 3-1 victory over University of Nebraska-Kearney. It is the first team championship for any Coyotes athletic team in the 35-year history of intercollegiate sports at CSUSB (1984-85). Congratulations to Coach Kim Cherniss, Associate Head Coach Danny Scott, Assistant Coach Kelcie Tolan and the outstanding group of players who completed the first unbeaten season for the team at 33-0 with the national title win. It was only the third time an undefeated team has won the NCAA D-2 title in the history of the women's sport. Incidentally, this was the second NCAA volleyball title for Coach Cherniss, who was a player on the UC Riverside team that won it all in 1982.  Alexis Cardoza, an outside hitter for the Coyotes, was selected as the NCAA Division 2 Player of the Year.

Yusra Serhan Thanks the Retirees Association for CSUSB Scholarship

Yusra Serhan is one of the recipients of the 2019-20 Retirees Association's Scholarship. Yusra is a senior at CSUSB majoring in Criminal Justice. She is newly elected to the SMSU Board of Directors and is active in ASI. Yursra stated that the scholarship will "provide more time to focus on completing my law school application..." Yusra plans to become a civil rights attorney. Congratulations Yusra!

Robin Steege

Years at CSUSB:  7
When: April 2012  To July 2019
Where: Student Leadership and Development, Alumni Affairs and Relations
 
Robin came to CSUSB from San Bernardino City Unified School District where she was working with parents. When that position ended she applied at CSUSB and was hired to work with a Parent Program providing services for CSUSB students and families new to the university system. It was a perfect fit and she enjoyed helping students and parents navigate the university.
 
Two years later she moved over to Alumni Affairs and was part of the team building alliances between matriculated students and the campus.
 
Before all that Robin was a very successful musical theatre performer. When the Theatre Arts Department went looking for a seasoned performer for the Spring production of IN THE HEIGHTS- fate stepped in to bring Robin back to the campus.
 
The opportunity for current students to work with a performer whose experience was throughout our region and across the country was one we could not pass up. Robin was cast in the role of “Abuela Claudia” who is the matriarch of the neighborhood of Washington Heights. She was part of the rehearsal process beginning April 2 through the end of the production June 9. Many past and present faculty, staff and theatre friends came to get an opportunity to see Robin in this entertaining show. It was an ideal chance to reconnect with the campus community.
 
She says, “The best part of the experience was working with the students.” I am certain many of the students will stay in contact. “The role was challenging because of my absence from actively performing but I had such fun working with the group. CSUSB has so many great people.”
 
Robin will be continuing her work as a life coach and walking and visiting with friends.
 
DO YOU HAVE A GREAT STORY OF A CAMPUS RECONNECT? We would love to hear from you.
Please send to  kervin@csusb.edu