California State University, Bakersfield
Motto	It's your university...
Established	1965
Type	Public
Endowment	US$16.5 million [1]
President	Horace Mitchell
Undergraduates	5,963
Postgraduates	1,500
Location	Bakersfield, California, United States
Campus	Suburban, 375 acre (1.5 km²)
Former names	California State College, Bakersfield (1965-82)
Colors	Royal Blue, Gold
Nickname	Roadrunners
Athletics	Division I (Transition phase from NCAA Division II)
Affiliations	California State University system
Website	CSUB.edu

California State University, Bakersfield (often abbreviated CSUB or shortened to CSU Bakersfield or Cal State Bakersfield) is a public university located in Bakersfield, California and was founded in 1965. CSUB opened in 1970 on a 375 acre (1.5 km²) campus, becoming the 19th school in the California State University system. The university offers 31 bachelor's, 22 master's degree programs, and one doctoral program, the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.).

As of Fall 2002, some 7,700 undergraduate and graduate students attended CSUB, at either the main campus in Bakersfield or the satellite campus, Antelope Valley Center in Lancaster, California.

[edit] History

The Walter Stiern Library, CSUB

CSUB owes its founding to the Donahoe Higher Education Act of 1960, which formalized the creation of the CSU-system, initially as the "California State Colleges" system. The areas in the Southern San Joaquin Valley had been demanding a four-year university since the 1950s. After considering several locations, including nearby Delano and parts of Kings and Tulare County, a steering committee decided on Bakersfield because at the time it was the largest isolated metropolitan area in the United States without a four-year university. Their decision was turned into a bill by Bakersfield's State Senator Walter W. Stiern, ratified by the California State Legislature and signed into law by Governor Edmond G. Brown.

Under these rules, the school was founded as California State College, Bakersfield in 1965. It opened for classes in September 1970. In 1982 the California State College system became the California State University system and the school changed to its present name.

[edit] Athletics

Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners

The CSUB Roadrunners were part of the NCAA Division II program in all sports but wrestling until 2006. Roadrunner teams formerly competed in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. For wrestling, CSUB competes in the Pac-10 conference. Men's and women's basketball teams compete at the Rabobank Arena in downtown Bakersfield.

On June 1, 2006, Cal State Bakersfield President Horace Mitchell formally announced that CSUB will be moving the athletics program to Division I and raising $6 million over a five year period for the additional costs. Part of the additional costs is to start a baseball program and women's golf program.^[2] During the four-year transition process, CSUB teams will be ineligible to compete for NCAA Championships. CSUB is looking to join the Big West Conference, an all-California conference that includes several former rivals of the Roadrunners.^[3]

Rudy Carvajal has been CSUB's Athletic Director since 1972. In 2005, Carvajal received the prestigious CSU Wang Family Award. Under Carvajal's leadership, CSUB has won over 30 national championships and received the Sears Directors Cup in 1998.^[4]

On May 17, 2007, CSUB announced that Bill Kernen would be the school's first baseball coach, with the school's first official season beginning in Spring of 2009.^[5]

[edit] Athletic Achievements

• The softball team has won championships in 1987, 1988, 1989 and 1990

[edit] National Championships

• Men's basketball: 1993, 1994, 1997
• Men's swimming and diving: 1986-1993, 1998, 2000-2002, 2004
• Wrestling: 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980-1983, 1987
• Men's soccer: 1997
• Women's volleyball: 1989

[edit] Student Life

CSUB has more than 90 official student clubs and organizations (including 10 Greek Organizations). The Associated Students Inc. (ASI) is the recognized student government and is known for having an active role on campus. CSUB's campus has a Student Union and a 75,000 sq ft (7,000 m²) Recreation Center. ^[6]

CSUB is predominantly a commuter school, drawing its student body from a mix of recent high school graduates in the local area and working people returning to school or pursuing a degree part-time. In Fall 2006, CSUB received its highest enrollment of first-time freshmen of approximately 820. Many credit the appeal of the "move to Division I" for the increase of younger students. ^[7] While the majority of students live off-campus, the campus dorms can accommodate up to 324 students, or under 5% of the 2002 enrollment figure of 7,700. Space in the dorms has historically been plentiful, with single-occupancy rooms often available and one entire dorm devoted to faculty offices through the mid 1990s.^[8]

The six buildings comprising the dorm complex are each named after locations in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings novel: Rivendell, Rohan, Entwood, Numenor, Dobry, and Lorien. Dorm facilities include a first floor lounge in each building, a dining commons, a swimming pool, a sand volleyball court, a pond, and a parking lot.^[9] CSUB is in the initial stages of building new dorms (referred to as Living Residences) on the northeast side of campus.^[10]

[edit] Tradition

The CSUB Fight Song and Alma Mater were selected through a structured contest initiated by the student government, Associated Students Inc. (ASI). The winner of the Fight Song Contest was a current music student, Gwendolyn Wilcox, and the winner of the Alma Mater Contest was a CSUB alumnus and current high school music instructor, Bill Ingram^[11].

[edit] Fight Song

CSUB Victory!
Striving on, we face the goal,
And will not be denied.
Always knowing, courage showing,
Strength is on our side.
Fighting on we're holding strong
With victory in sight, We will prevail, we will not fail
to win the fight!
C-S-U-B, CSUB Victory!

[edit] Alma Mater

Long Live CSUB
The blue and gold stands high for honor,
Thanks to all its pride.
We stand to pay respect and glory,
For us all to guide.
We are proud to shine above the mountains,
And across the sea.
Salute the blue and gold tradition,
Long live C-S-U-B.

[edit] Vision of Excellence

In September 2004, CSUB adopted a new mission statement, referred to as the "Vision of Excellence," under the leadership of the university President, Dr. Horace Mitchell.

"By 2014-15, CSU Bakersfield will be the leading campus in the CSU system in terms of faculty and academic excellence and diversity, quality of the student experience, and community engagement. Realization of our vision will be advanced by recruitment, development and promotion of excellent and diverse staff within an organizational culture committed to excellence in all areas."[2]

[edit] Notable alumni

• Stephen Neal, New England Patriot, NCAA and World Champion Wrestler
• Kevin McCarthy, U.S. Politician^[12]
• Roy Ashburn, California State Senator^[13]
• Tito Ortiz, UFC Fighter^[14]
• Lyle Martin, professional soccer player
• Josh Wicks, professional soccer player
• Kebu Stewart, professional basketball player
• Big Poppa E, professional slam poet
• Vincent Brothers, mass murderer

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Official website
• Official athletics website

Coordinates: 35°21′02″N 119°06′15″W / 35.35056°N 119.10417°W / 35.35056; -119.10417