Annual Empowerment Congress Focuses on Education, Health Disparities

California State University, Dominguez Hills was the site of the 19th annual Empowerment Congress Summit on Jan. 23. The event was hosted by Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas and the Empowerment Congress, a nonprofit community organization.

National children’s rights advocate Marian Wright Edelman, founder and CEO of the Children’s Defense Fund, was the keynote speaker. She and Ridley-Thomas, who delivered his “State of the Second District Address,” spoke to an audience of more than 1,500 in the ballroom of the Loker Student Union and through a live video feed to an overflow room.

“It was a great opportunity for CSU Dominguez Hills to host the 19th Annual Summit,” says Mary Ann Rodriguez, vice president of administration and finance at CSU Dominguez Hills. “The community we serve showed their support by attending this Summit and have been actively engaged in pertinent issues that are important to enriching our community. Our university values our partnership with Supervisor Ridley-Thomas and this was yet another way that we are continuing to work together to enhance services to our community.”

Constituents, businesses and stakeholders in the Los Angeles County Second Supervisorial District took part in workshops on topics ranging from bridging health disparities in the Second District to economic development opportunities along the Crenshaw/LAX light rail system. Booths staffed by L.A. County departments offered information and resources, including free H1N1 flu vaccinations on site administered by the Public Health Department. For information about the Empowerment Congress, visit www.empowermentcongress.org.

Hartman Breaks Heart of 2010 Toros to Give Alums 8-7 Win

CARSON -- On a bright and sunny 2010 St. Valentine's Day the CSU Dominguez Hills baseball alumni used the efforts of a Daniel Hartman (2008) triple in the third frame to spark a six-run rally before an eventual late-game 8-7 win over the current Toro squad.

The current Toro squad got their bats hot in the first as an Barrett Ceverha bomb over the left field drove in three runs, giving the symbolic visitors a healthy lead.

That's where the score changed until the third after the Hartman triple gave the alumnus squad two notches on the board with two outs down.

A following Jerit Coleman (2006-07) double knotted one more for the alums before a string of five untimely erros put two more up for the designated hosts giving the alums a 6-3 lead.

With both sides garnering more runs, the alums would eventually grab the lead in the seventh frame.

The current squad had one more say, rushing the plate on a Van Doren wild pitch to tie the game.  Hartman once again proved deadly as a sacrifice fly in the ninth drove the winning run for the alumni squad.

Throwing only one frame, Phillip Van Doren (2008-09) fanned one batter and allowed no hits to pick up the win while fireman Paul-Michael Klingsberg (2009) grabbed a save after sending two batters packing in the ninth.

The loss was handed to Sean Wardour after 1.2 innings of action.  Despite this mark Wardour still strutted his best stuff, fanning three of eight batters faced.

Leading from the dish on the day was Jose Serrano whom gave the 2010 Toros a 3-of-4 effort, grabbing two runs in the process.

Prior to the start of the game fans were treated to an alumni home run derby with 13 having a go at the fence.  Mike Milstead (2003-03) led round one with three long shots before falling to Jon Alia's (2008-09)  two home runs in the second and final round.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Awards $1 Million in Grants

CSU Dominguez Hills computer science faculty member and alumna Dr. Antonia Boadi (B.S. '85) has been awarded two grants totaling more than $1 million from the Department of Homeland Security to support the development of programs that prepare undergraduate and graduate students majoring in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) for homeland security-related careers.

Both grants are through the Department of Homeland Security’s Scientific Leadership Award for Minority Serving Institutions grant program. The first grant for $754,668 will be used to expand the computer science department’s existing Homeland Security Science Technology and Research Training Undergraduate Program (HS-STARTUP). The second grant of $249,987 is for the creation of the Network-Distributed Multi-Agent Decision System (NOMADS) initiative.

Alumni Notes

Amy DiSimone (B.A. '01) has become the new Vice President of Operations at Accurate Background, a leader in the background screening industry. DiSimone has more than 15 years of management experience. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated her ability to improve operational methods resulting in increased productivity and better cost management. As Vice President of Operations with Accurate Background, DiSimone will be responsible for implementing strategic initiatives that enhance the operations model, optimize efficiencies, and ensure national and global compliance for the organization.

Mark Tackmann (B.S. '95) has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer of the Dana Point Concours d'Elegance organization. He is an active Certified Public Accountant and a partner with the Torrance, California based accounting firm Brigante, Cameron, Watters & Strong, LLP.

Nancy Janek (M.A. '79) and her husband James Janek celebrated their 50th anniversary with friends and relatives on Dec. 19 at a dinner party at Rosetta Stone Cafe in Yougstown. She retired from teaching at Beaver Local High School and currently volunteers at the public library while in Bonita Springs. She and her husband both enjoy outdoor activities, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

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.

This year CSU Dominguez Hills marks its 50th anniversary, 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.

We will celebrate our 50th anniversary with events, lectures and exhibits throughout 2010-11. You are enthusiastically invited to participate in the celebration of our rich history, our achievements, and our plans for the future.

For additional information about the CSU Dominguez Hills 50th Anniversary, visit the Website.

Thurs, Feb 25. Diversity Chat: Interfaith Dialogue for Coexistence. 3-5pm, Multicultural Center.

Thurs, March 4. Celebrating the Life and Spirit of Amelia Earhart. The program will include the screening of the 2009 biopic "Amelia," starring Hilary Swank. 3-5pm, Multicultural Center.

Wed, March 10. Faculty Awards Reception. Honoring faculty research and service. 5:30-7:30pm, Loker Student Union.
All alumni welcome;
please RSVP to tbushee@csudh.edu. The 2010 Faculty Award recipients are:

Dr. Sally Etcheto
2010 Lyle E. Gibson Distinguished Teacher Award

Dr. Kate Fawver
2010 Excellence in Service Award

Dr. Karen Mason
2010 Excellence in Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity Award

Thurs, March 11. Women of Color Reaching Beyond the Glass Ceiling. Includes a panel discussion of women of color who have challenged the stereotypes to emerge as successful leaders in their fields. 6-8pm, Multicultural Center.

For more information about events hosted by the Multicultural Center, visit the Website or call (310) 243-2519.

March 12-14, 19, 20. Welcome Home, Jenny Sutter. Guest Director, Courtney Elkin Mohler, March 12-14, 19 and 20 at 8pm; March 21 at 2pm in the Edison Studio Theatre.

For more information please call 310-243-3588 or visit the Website.

Mon, March 22. 50th Anniversary Speaker Series: Influential Women in California. Panel discussion with women in leadership, facilitated by CSUDH President Mildred García.
6-8pm, Loker Student Union. All alumni welcome;
please RSVP to tbushee@csudh.edu.

April 16-17, 23-25. Three Sisters. Guest Director, Clarence Gilyard (B.A. '89), April 16-17, 23 and 24 at 8pm; April 25 at 2pm in the University Theatre.

For more information please contact Theatre Arts Department Chair, Sydell Weiner at 310-243-3534 or sweiner@csudh.edu.

Stay Connected! Help us keep your contact information current so you don't miss out on invitations to events, your alumni e-newsletter, and more! Update your information online here.

Did you know you can make a gift that provides a fixed income for life? More information can be found on our Planned Giving website or by calling (310) 243-2182.

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Dateline: Dominguez Hills

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