Points of Pride
also see Honorable Mentions
1. Nearly $1 million grant to boost science, math teacher scholarships
An $896,000 National Science Foundation (NSF) grant has been awarded to CSU Stanislaus that will provide major scholarship incentives for future science and mathematics teachers in the Central Valley and the rest of the state. CSU Stanislaus plans to award scholarships of up to $30,000 each over the next five years to 34 students who plan to become science and mathematics teachers at “high-need” secondary schools. Those $10,000 annual scholarships that can be awarded during students’ junior, senior, and/or teaching credential years, will come from the main portion of the NSF’s Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship program grant. Scholarship recipients will, in turn, make a commitment to teach a minimum of two years at a junior high school, middle school, or high school that is classified as “high need.” Titled “Teachers from the Valley for the Valley,” the grant is expected to help CSU Stanislaus attract students who can help meet the acute need in the region and the state for 7th through 12th grade science and mathematics teachers. President Shirvani noted that the scholarships will greatly advance the University’s Science, Technology, and Mathematics teacher preparation programs, as part of the CSU system’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) initiative.
2. New Student Recreation Complex makes fall debut under the lights
The University’s new $16.1 million Student Recreation Complex, which includes a fitness center, lighted soccer stadium, all-weather track, and lighted intramural sports fields, will be unveiled with the start of soccer season and makes its official debut with a ribbon cutting ceremony and grand opening on Friday, September 18. The event will include men’s and women’s soccer games against UC San Diego, tours of the fitness center, food, face painting, and more. The grand opening celebration begins at 4 p.m. and is open to the public. The facility is being financed by student fees that CSU Stanislaus students overwhelmingly approved in a May 2006 vote.
3. Princeton Review ratings as Best College and Best Value
California State University, Stanislaus has received national recognition by its ranking as one of the “Best 371 Colleges” in the nation for the fourth straight year by the Princeton Review. Only 15 percent of colleges and universities nationwide are in this elite circle, and only one other CSU – Sonoma State. Along with that honor came the University’s recognition as one of 123 “Best Western Colleges,” and high marks in the guide’s “Green Rating” category for the second straight year. The Princeton Review also ranked CSU Stanislaus as one of “America’s Best Value Colleges,” a distinction granted to only 165 colleges and universities across the United States. The Princeton Review is considered the most reputable academic ranking of higher education institutions in the United States.
4. University recognized nationally for community service
CSU Stanislaus has been recognized twice nationally for its active involvement with the region it serves. The latest honor came from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching’s 2008 Community Engagement Classification. CSU Stanislaus is one of only four universities in the California State University system and one of an elite nationwide group of 119 colleges and universities that have been added to the Carnegie Foundation’s Community Engagement listing which recognizes the community connection activities of the nation’s higher education institutions. CSU Stanislaus students and faculty engage the communities in the region through a variety of programs and issues such as
literacy development, public policy, at-risk youth, healthy families, homelessness, science education, environmental sustainability, and diversity. The University currently offers more than 50 courses per year that include service learning components which encourage students and faculty to become active participants in the region’s communities. More than 2,000 students have the opportunity to participate in community activities that include a variety of volunteer activities and services totaling more than 30,000 hours of service annually.
For the third straight year, CSU Stanislaus was also named to the Presidents Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll in February 2009 by the Corporation for National and Community Service. The University was one of 11 CSU campuses selected for the award out of a field of more than 500 colleges and universities that submitted applications.
5. Ham Shirvani named President of the Year for second time in 3 years
For the second time in three years, the California State Student Association (CSSA) honored CSU Stanislaus President Dr. Hamid Shirvani Robert C. Maxson CSU President of the Year. Shirvani received the same recognition in 2007, and is one of only two presidents in the history of the California State University system to be named President of the Year more than once. The award was presented in June during a ceremony in Long Beach. President Shirvani has drawn high praise for his dedicated work with students from both student leaders and CSU colleagues, including Chancellor Charles Reed. As further evidence of his recognized commitment to students, President Shirvani was selected to deliver the keynote address during the CSSA 50th Anniversary Banquet at the California Higher Education Student Summit (CHESS) in Sacramento in April.
6. Becoming a leader for being green
With the awarding of a “Silver” rating from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and a Green Rating from the Princeton Review, CSU Stanislaus is building a reputation as an environmentally friendly campus. The state-of-the-art Nora and Hashem Naraghi Hall of Science, completed in 2007, became the first building in Stanislaus County to earn a rating from the USGBC, which rates buildings for environmentally friendly features. Princeton Review gave the University high Green Rating marks for its growing commitment to sustainability and green technology. An Ecology and Sustainability Master of Science degree program launched in 2007 is the first of its kind in the CSU system, and CSU Stanislaus is home to the Endangered Species Recovery Program that focuses on animals and plants all over California. The College of Humanities and Social Sciences will host its annual Conference for Sustainable Futures October 16-8. The program will feature speakers and activities related to promoting solutions to global climate change. Information is on the University Web site at
http://www.csustan.edu/events/sustainablefutures/.
7. Key donors support endowed academic chairs
CSU Stanislaus has enjoyed fund-raising success of nearly $1 million from Foster Farms and the Whalen estate in support of endowed department chairs. Ron Foster, President and CEO of Foster Farms, contributed $500,000 to fund the Foster Farms Endowed Chair in Business Economics with an emphasis in econometrics. The chair holder will engage in economic forecasting for the region and help business leaders, investors, and citizens make informed decisions based on a thorough understanding of the current economic environment. Research conducted by the endowed chair will also measure the fiscal impact CSU Stanislaus has on the Central Valley. The University also received a major gift of $400,000 from the estate of Kenneth and Shirley Whalen in memory of their late daughter, Christie Sue Whalen-Sexton, which will be used to create an endowed chair in the College of Education. Funding from the gift will help establish the Christie Sue Whalen-Sexton Endowed Chair in the Department of Teacher Education.
A graduate of CSU Stanislaus, Whalen-Sexton was a middle school teacher for 20 years until her passing in 2002. Endowed professorships represent a long-term private investment in the future of the University.
These are the second and third endowed chairs for CSU Stanislaus, with the first established in 2002 in Agricultural Studies.
8. Promise Scholars Program boosts foster student opportunities
Thanks to a new federal funding boost of $285,000, more high school graduates and community college transfers who were once foster care children will be finding support and the opportunity to earn a four-year degree through the CSU Stanislaus Promise Scholars Program. Under the direction of Wanda Bonnell, the program has grown since it was launched in 2006 and has created some great success stories with invaluable mentoring and guidance. University President Hamid Shirvani worked closely with Congressman Dennis Cardoza who succeeded in including the appropriation in the FY09 Omnibus Appropriations bill that was signed by President Obama on March 11. The CSU Stanislaus Promise Scholars program currently includes 28 students. The additional funding will help the University expand that number to more students and provide them with resources that help them succeed.
9. Recognition for high graduation rates and student retention
The American Association of State Colleges and Universities cited CSU Stanislaus as one of 12 campuses nationwide for creating a campus culture that results in outstanding student retention. The University's freshmen-to-sophomore retention rate is over 80 percent. Its six-year graduation rate ranks among the best in the California State University system.