Home Depot Center and CSU Dominguez Hills Partner to Bring Music and Entertainment Symposium to Youth

Union on campus.

The event, which was co-sponsored by the university and the Home Depot Center Charitable Foundation, gave high school and college students a glimpse of the music and film industry through panel sessions with industry professionals and artists, as well as some heartfelt advice on how to maintain a "normal" lifestyle while working in an industry that is less than conducive to that.

Recording artist DJ Spinderella, formerly of the all-girl group Salt-n-Pepa, moderated a panel titled, "The Future of the Industry," where participating students submitted questions about getting started in the entertainment business and how to deal with fame and fortune. Artist development expert Karen Lee pointed out to the audience that Jackson's career was not one to be looked to as "the norm."

Chaz Shepherd, PRK Recording Group artist and Broadway performer, said that his definition of success is "getting to the place where I’m happy," and underscored the need for those in the entertainment business to focus on the inner self along with honing one's talent and appearance.

"It’s what I do when nobody's looking that will bear fruit for me when everybody's paying attention," he said.

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CSU Dominguez Hills Recognized by City of Carson for Water and Power Conservation

The City of Carson recognized California State University, Dominguez Hills for its conservation efforts at the Carson Business Awards event held at the university's Loker Student Union on June 11. The award was presented to President Mildred García for the campus's partnership with South Bay Environmental Services Center, Southern California Edison and Southern California Gas Company, which outfitted the University Housing complex with 224 low-flow toilets and 164 showerheads that are estimated to reduce water usage by 50 percent, saving 3.4 million gallons annually. In addition, the installation of compact fluorescent lighting is expected to save $100,000 in power costs.

Mayor Jim Dear commended the university for establishing itself as a learning lab for sustainability within the City of Carson.

"Students are going to learn as much from what other people do as they will from the lectures they hear in their classrooms," he says. "You have a faculty and administration that are on board with the goals of making the campus a more environmentally positive place to learn."

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Alumni Notes

Shammeer Dawson (BA '08), is the new Miss Black Los Angeles 2009. Dawson is also a grad student at the University of Southern California, spokesperson and volunteer for the Center for Lupus Care, chairperson for the Christian Social Work Caucus at USC and member of the CSUDH Alumni Advisory Council.

James Jennings (MA '00), was named as the recipient of the Edgar Monsanto Queeny Safety Professional of the Year award by the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE). The award is given to the most outstanding ASSE member for accomplishments and contributions in the occupational safety, health and environmental field.

Andrew Rafkin (BA '72), has received a 2009 EVVY Literary Award for his book "Red Sky Morning," a gripping account of high-seas fishing. This prestigious honor recognizes the very best of self-published books, as bestowed by the Colorado Independent Publishers Association.

Nicole Stewart (BS '96), a financial specialist and accountant for Stewart's Bookkeeping and Tax Service, has been recognized by Cambridge Who's Who for showing dedication, leadership and excellence in all aspects of finance. She has 17 years of professional experience and nine years in accounting, managing business operations, bookkeeping, preparing tax returns and ensuring the preparedness of her clients.

We’d like to hear from you! Your friends at CSU Dominguez Hills want to know what you're up to! Email the Office of Alumni Programs at alumniprograms@csudh.edu.

2009 Commencement: Online Photo Gallery