In late February, 30 students walked across a stage in Stockton to take part in a ceremony with deep roots in nursing education, but one almost as new as each student’s commitment to the profession.

It was the first white coat ceremony at the California State University, Stanislaus Stockton Center hosted by the School of Nursing for the Accelerated Second Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The ceremony celebrates a significant milestone in the lives of first-year nursing students.

The Division of University Advancement at California State University, Stanislaus has named Kevin M. Brunk as its new Director for Major Gifts.

Brunk, a long-time Oakdale resident who graduated from Cal Poly with a bachelor’s degree in architecture, comes to Stanislaus State with nearly 30 years of experience and expertise in fundraising, sales and account management, business development, sponsorship, volunteer development and team leadership.

Dan Toombs, a 1988 Stanislaus State graduate, has turned his passion for food into international acclaim. In November, the blog The Curry Guy, which Toombs writes and maintains, was named the Best UK Food & Drink Blog at the annual Vuelio Blog Awards.

Toombs, who lives in Low Worsall near Yarm, North Yorkshire, England, started the blog six years ago and has nurtured it with now more than 65,000 followers on Twitter, adding more than 100 new followers each week.

The California State University system has a strict set of guidelines that govern the awarding of honorary doctorates.

The honoree must have achieved significant areas of human endeavor that embody the CSU’s objectives and ideals. Or, the honoree must have performed meritorious and outstanding service to the CSU. A third possible criterion is that the honoree’s life and achievements serve as examples of the CSU’s aspirations for its diverse student body.

​When Stanislaus State filled the position of dean of the Stockton Center on a permanent basis, it found someone with unquestioned credentials in overseeing branch campuses.

As current president of the National Association of Branch Campus Administrators, Faimous Harrison is in a position to discuss and address many of the challenges facing campuses like the Stockton Center and also is aware of the opportunities they provide.

The Stanislaus State community has heeded the call of President Joseph F. Sheley and has scheduled a full slate of events to advance the campus conversation on inclusivity.

As such, the Committee on Affirmative Action and Diversity has worked with other groups on campus to drive the conversation through a series of talks, discussions and performances throughout February.

The Division of University Advancement at California State University, Stanislaus has named Mary Hartsfield as its new Director of Annual Giving.

Stanislaus State hosted the 11th annual Chicano Youth Conference on Jan. 30, with Pedro Nava addressing the issues of empowerment and opportunity through education within the Hispanic community.

Anyone who appreciates the arts — from opera fans to creative writers — is encouraged to attend a panel discussion with internationally acclaimed composer Jake Heggie taking place on the Stanislaus State campus Feb. 5.

Faimous J.L. Harrison, a leader in postsecondary education through much of his 24 years in the field, has been appointed to the position of dean of the California State University, Stanislaus Stockton Center, effective, Feb. 1.