CHAIR'S MESSAGE

The stories featured in the 2014-15 CSULB 49er Foundation Annual Report have something rather wonderful in common. Yes, they’re about exceptionally generous donors who believe strongly in The Beach and whose support helped the university reach its ambitious $225-million campaign goal. But there’s something else, too…

As a longtime educator and advocate for public education, I was particularly delighted to discover that each of these donors is investing in campus programs that are deepening the knowledge and increasing the effectiveness of current and future classroom teachers.

Alumnus Richard D. Green is funding programs that will expand the pipeline of excellent STEM teachers. And SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union is funding UTEACH, a groundbreaking credential/undergraduate residency program that has been named one of the nation’s top teacher–preparation programs.

Teacher education is one of our oldest traditions at The Beach. It’s something we’ve done — and done quite well — since the university first opened its doors back in 1949. It’s exciting to see today’s faculty, donors and community partners building on this legacy by developing programs that thoughtfully address key education issues and gaps. They know, of course, that all of us are enriched when young people receive the benefit of a top-notch education.

Happy reading!

Sincerely,
Beverly O’Neill ’52, ’57
Board Chair