CSUDH History: 1980s
1980: Artist Clare Falkenstein creates “The Forum,” a cedar log sculpture that was installed in the university's Sculpture Garden, in memory of campus architect A. Quincy Jones.
January 7, 1980: University joins NCAA Division II.
January 14, 1980: Tribute to campus architect A. Quincy Jones in art gallery.
February 12, 1980: Students for Economic Democracy (SED) sponsor “Dying for Energy” teach-in on dangers of nuclear waste.
Nearly 50 students gather in cafeteria patio to oppose reinstatement of armed forces draft registration.
February 28, 1980: CSUDH hosts 11th Annual Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women National Badminton Championships.
February 1980: CSUDH’s first homecoming rally.
April 10, 1980: Poet Jorge Luis Borges speaks at Hispanic Conference on Pacific and Caribbean Literature on campus.
May 7, 1980: Futurist and geodesic dome designer Buckminster Fuller addresses campus audience as part of Chancellor’s Lecture Series.
June 14, 1980: Former U.S. ambassador to U.N. and civil rights leader Andrew Young delivers keynote commencement.
October 1980: Artist Dustin Shuler proclaims “Death of an Era,” symbolized by half-buried Cadillac impaled with a large nail through its body in newly opened Sculpture Garden.
January 1981: Music professor Marshall Bialosky receives American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) award for fifth year in a row.
January 1, 1981: CSUC celebrates 20th anniversary; becomes The California State University.
January 5, 1981: Dominguez News lists past names of student newspaper – Nameless News, Weekly Bull, Daily Planet, and Weekly Journal.
January 15, 1981: Congressman Glenn Anderson attends groundbreaking for new student housing.
February 1981: CSUDH is awarded Velodrome for 1984 Olympics.
February 1, 1981: Music professor Frances Steiner directs Carson/CSUDH symphony orchestras for African American History Month in front of capacity audience.
April 5, 1981: CSUDH commemorates 15th anniversary and Dominguez Hills’ past as site of first international air meet in 1910.
April 1981: Le Rendezvous, a book by CSUDH professor Yvone Lenard and co-author Alain Robbe-Grillet, hits the best-sellers list.
September 15, 1981: CSU system archives entrusted CSUDH in ceremony attended by former Governor “Pat” Brown.
October 14, 1981: Older Adult Center opens.
February 1982: Activist Dolores Huerta speaks at Playbox Theatre on farm worker and labor issues.
May 1, 1982: Softball and the women’s soccer teams take CCAA titles.
June 12, 1982: Congressman Glenn Anderson is commencement speaker.
1982: Digital carillon (modern version of bell tower) installed and dedicated.
W. Ann Reynolds becomes CSU chancellor.
September 20, 1982: Bull’s Eye, new student newspaper, debuts.
Spring 1983: “CSUDH Meets the World” Open House promotes internationalism.
Fall 1983: Entry-level math exam and admissions standards put in place for School of Education.
November 1983: President Gerth chosen to head CSU Sacramento.
1983: Alpha Kappa Alpha becomes only chartered sorority on CSUDH campus.
May 1984: University holds first Honors Convocation; Judson Grenier, professor of history, delivers address on “Academic Excellence.”
Spring 1984: President Gerth bids farewell to university in commencement address; predicts it will become model for the university of the future.
July 30 to Aug 3, 1984: Olympic cycling events held at Velodrome on CSUDH campus; 8500 spectators see U.S. cycling team win nine gold medals.
Summer 1984: CSU Trustees name Dr. Richard Butwell new president.
January 1985: Students vote to increase quarterly fees in support of needed student union.
Winter 1985: Campus speakers include Sally Ride, first U.S. woman astronaut, and Dr. Bruno Bettleheim, noted psychologist.
Spring 1985: President Butwell appointed to head CSU Commission on the Pacific Rim.
June 1985: 2,100 graduates walk in the university's first graduation ceremony to take place the 7-Eleven Olympic Velodrome
July 1985: TRW Corporation becomes institution’s first corporate affiliate.
Fall 1985: President Butwell establishes student affirmative action program to increase underrepresented minorities on campus.
October 10, 1985: CSUDH kicks off 25th anniversary celebration. Alex Haley, author of "Roots" and the "Autobiography of Malcolm X" is guest speaker during a special anniversary lecture.
1986: Donald P. Loker receives Silver Anniversary Award for unbroken record of service to CSUDH.
April 19, 1986: 25th Anniversary celebration culminates in dinner at Carson Community Center; former Carson Mayor Gil Smith chairs event, former Governor “Pat” Brown, and Dr. Leon Cain are honorary co-chairs.
October 18, 1986: L.A. Clippers challenge Seattle Supersonics in Toro Gym exhibition game.
Fall 1986: NIH gives CSUDH MBRS program $276,000 grant for minority student biomedical research.
February 18, 1987: Death of President Richard Butwell; Chancellor Reynolds selects Dr. John Brownell as acting president of CSUDH.
Spring 1987: Assemblyman Tom Hayden speaks on “Assuring Excellence in the Teaching Profession.”
May 18, 1987: Dedication of site for new Donald P. and Katherine B. Loker University Student Union.
Fall 1987: President Brownell, Chancellor Reynolds sign agreement to have CSUDH administer the Statewide Nursing Program, in which registered nurses obtain bachelor's and master's degrees through distance learning.
November 1987: CSUDH one of 10 universities selected for national study on retaining and graduating minority students.
May 27, 1988: State Senator Diane Watson delivers the keynote during commencement.
September 1988: PORT program wins National Christa McAuliffe Showcase for Excellence award for “attracting minority youth to the teaching profession”.
Spring 1989: Robert Detweiler named new president of CSUDH, replacing retiring John Brownell.
Spring 1989: South Bay Business Advisory Council formed to act as advisory board for School of Management.
1989: CSUDH faculty and students present rattlesnake research at first World Congress of Herpetology in Canterbury, England
Summer 1989: Campus welcomes news that California Academy of Math and Sciences (CAMS) will be housed at CSUDH.