Hal Marienthal, emeritus professor of English and founding chair of the theatre arts department, died on Jan. 3 after a long battle with cancer. Until his death, the native of Germany continued his 63-year teaching career through teaching and mentoring students in the Humanities External Master’s Degree program at California State University, Dominguez Hills, and taught screenwriting at the University of North Carolina, Asheville.

During her visit to Cuba this past October, Dale Mueller was surprised by many cultural aspects that belied popular beliefs about the communist nation. While participating in a humanitarian effort administered through a faith-based NGO and approved by the Cuban government, the associate professor of nursing at California State University, Dominguez Hills was continually impressed by an unanticipated spirit of community.