Former Basketball Coach Dave Yanai is Honored by CSU Dominguez Hills

A packed house filled with family, friends, former players and colleagues and the 2009-10 CSU Dominguez Hills men’s basketball team provided the perfect setting on January 9 as the Toro family honored former men’s basketball head coach Dave Yanai with the unveiling of the “Dave Yanai Court” in the university’s Torodome gymnasium and the creation of an endowed scholarship in Yanai’s name for students on both the men’s and women’s basketball teams.

“It was double-barreled positive with the scholarship and the [court] naming,” said Yanai. “I am elated to have the financial help for the kids, and at the same time humbled by the court naming.”

As the first Japanese-American men’s basketball head coach at any college level in the country, Yanai coached 19 years at CSUDH, teaching and mentoring countless student-athletes on the Carson campus. His Toro teams advanced to the 1981, 1987 and 1989 NCAA Tournaments and he was awarded the 1979 District Coach of the Year, the 1987 NCAA West Region Coach of the Year and two-consecutive CCAA Coach of the Year Awards (1987 and 1988). Yanai also coached 34 All-CCAA Conference, two CCAA Athletes of the Year, eight NCAA All-West Region, two NCAA All-Americans and one NCAA Division II Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year in John Nojima, ending his coaching career at CSUDH with 287 of his 401 total wins, the winningest coach in CSUDH men’s basketball history.

Click here for information on the Dave Yanai Scholarship Fund.

Annabella Bastida: Alumna Works to Foster Education in Mexican Immigrant Communities

Although Anabella Bastida (Class of ’04, B.A., liberal studies; ’05, teaching credential; ’07, M.A., multicultural education) began working at Consejo de Federaciones Mexicanas en Norteamérica (COFEM) to earn some money while getting her teaching credential, the part-time job became a full-time passion when she realized that she could make a real difference working in a leadership role at the Los Angeles-based nonprofit.

Four years later, having moved up the ladder to the position of director of administration and operations, Bastida oversees the everyday financial needs of running the organization. In addition, she works to ensure that the parents and youth of the Latino immigrant community are aware of the transformative nature of getting an education. In November, she organized COFEM’s second Higher Education Summit, which was held at her alma mater, California State University, Dominguez Hills. The event provided potential college students and their parents with information on scholarships and opportunities, how to choose a major, and success stories from those who had earned their degrees.

“We want the Latino immigrant community to have the access to go to university,” says Bastida, who established the event two years ago. “Education is the key to crystallize all your dreams, something that nobody can take away from you. You can do whatever you want with an education.”

Bastida is proud that she is able to use the skills she gained at CSU Dominguez Hills in her current role of not only encouraging the pursuit of education, but ensure bi-national economic development, health care, and policy advocacy for the communities it serves.

One of her next big projects will be helping the Latino community participate in the 2010 Census.

Click here for entire article.

CSU Dominguez Hills Receives Award from West Basin Municipal Water District for Water and Energy Efficiency Efforts

California State University, Dominguez Hills received one of the first Water Reliability 2020 Awards given by the West Basin Municipal Water District (WBMWD) for the university’s ongoing efforts in water and energy efficiency.

CSU Dominguez Hills participated in West Basin’s Green Living for Apartments and Condos Program during 2009. Partnering with South Bay Environmental Services Center, Edison and the Gas Company, West Basin retrofitted 164 student apartments with 224 high-efficiency toilets, 164 high-efficiency showerheads, and energy-efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs. An estimated 3.4 million gallons of water every year is being saved through this effort.

The project was one of many created from $681,000 of grants aimed at water conservation that was awarded to WBMWD by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.

“As we continue to grow as an institution it is important that we enhance our “green projects” by preserving our university’s natural resources,” says Gamboa. “Our university will be embarking on some very big green projects in 2010 that would lead to exploring research methods for our students and I am glad West Basin has decided to acknowledge us for our efforts.”

Click here for entire article.

Alumni Notes

Darla Givens (B.A., '89), is a meteorologist for News10. Before assuming her current role as weathercaster for News10's weekend newscasts, Darla spent nearly four years on Northern California television as the weekend weather person for Fox affiliate KTXL, Channel 40. Prior to moving to Sacramento in 1996, Darla forecast Central Valley weather for KFSN, the ABC affiliate in Fresno.

Gilbert Ivey (B.S., '75), Chief Administrative Officer of the Water District, was recently awarded the Public Sector Leader of the Year by the Southern California Leadership Network. He is the chief liaison to the board chairman and board that represents 300 cities in the district, and is the project director in charge of development and construction of the district's headquarters at Union Station, according to the Water District's Web site. He currently serves on the executive boards of the Los Angeles Central City Association and the American Association of Blacks in Energy.

Carrie Flint (non-degreed alumna), has been recognized by Cambridge Who's Who for demonstrating dedication, leadership and excellence in physical education. As an adapted physical educator, she is responsible for working with the population of special needs students from preschool to eighth grade. Ms. Flint was recently selected by Head Start as a physical activity consultant (PAC) for the HeadStart BodyStart Program. In addition to her work for the school district, Ms. Flint serves as a consultant and trainer for Peaceful Playgrounds. In that capacity, she travels across the United States to deliver presentations on quality physical education and the importance of recess.

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.

California State University, Dominguez Hills has begun celebrating five decades of academic scholarship and opportunity, achievements in preparing well-educated and productive citizens and leaders, and engaging with community partners for the benefit of the South Bay region. As part of an 18-month long anniversary celebration, the university launched the 50th Anniversary Speaker Series, which will be highlighting members of the on- and off-campus community.

The first event, “An Evening with Karen Gebhart,” took place January 14 in the Club 1910 restaurant in the Loker Student Union. Gebhart is president of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Foundation and spoke on “Women in Aviation and the 1910 Air Meet.” The historic 1910 Air Meet took place at Dominguez Field, on land adjacent to the present day CSU Dominguez Hills campus. A reception followed Gebhart’s presentation.

For additional information about the CSU Dominguez Hills 50th Anniversary, visit the Web site. The site highlights upcoming events, the history of the campus and neighboring community, and a spotlight on distinguished alumni.

Feb 2. Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at CSU Dominguez Hills Open House. 1:30pm-3:30pm, Extended Education Auditorium EE-1213. Sponsored by the College of Extended Education and International Education.

Join us for refreshments and door prizes. Free parking for Open House will be available in Lot 13.

Please RSVP by calling (310) 243-3208.

Feb. 3 through March 3. The Veil: Visible and Invisible Spaces Art Exhibit. Reception Wed. Feb 3, 5-7pm, University Art Gallery. Art Gallery event schedule.

Feb. 11. MCC Cup of Culture Series. Meet and Greet: Eliseo Art Silva. 3-5pm, Multicultural Center, Loker Student Union.

The MCC will host a reception for Eliseo Art Silva, nationally renowned cultural muralist. Silva has been commissioned to design and paint a multicultural mural for the center.

Lunar New Year celebrates the 1st day of the lunar calendar. Festivities include cultural performances and arts and crafts.

For more information about the Cup of Culture Series, visit the Multicultural Center Website or call (310) 243-2519.

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