Watch for details about the Peach tree donor wall dedication, slated for Thursday, April 6.

Peach Tree Campaign Concludes. With a final push, the Peach Tree Replacement Fund successfully brought in more than $85,000. The outstanding partnership with the 49er Shops and the campus residence halls culminated in almost $2,200 from students, faculty and staff, who responded to an appeal in the two weeks following Thanksgiving. Placards festooned the University Bookstore, campus eateries and the residence halls with evidence of the campus community’s generosity and excitement about these much-loved campus icons. Staff Council and the campus chapter of the California Faculty Association also donated generously in honor of President Maxson’s 12 years of leadership at The Beach.

Greater Long Beach residents contributed more than $6,700 in response to an article in the Press-Telegram. Twenty-four family members of Dr. David Gray, who served as CSULB’s vice president for administration from 1969–1983, contributed more than $8,350 to ensure several more groves of perpetual trees. Once again, Jon Regnier stimulated participation with a generous match.

Lois J. Swanson Leadership Resource Center Celebrates. On May 20, the Swanson Leadership Resource Center celebrated its 6th anniversary. The advisory board and Associated Students officers from the Swanson era joined with the first Leadership Academy graduates to celebrate a fabulous year. More than 200 people enjoyed Steve Swanson’s keynote speech, which focused on the values modeled by Lois Swanson in her years as dean of students at CSULB. The undergraduates resonated with the skills acquired in various courses paralleling Dean Swanson’s ethos. Handsome medallions encircled each Leadership Academy graduate’s neck—and provided great photo opportunities. This combination of graduates and alumni will become a hallmark spring event.

Pictured (from left) are Ed O'Dell, Kay Goddard, Jonathan O'Brien, Teri Swanson and Steve Swanson.

Victory Flag Returns. After years of storage in a garage, the victory flag returned to CSULB in October. Jim Shoults met with Chance Decker and Richard Haller to return the icon of CSULB’s early athletic prowess. In the first two CSULB decades, the victory flag was flown after each sports win and carried by the cheer team for pep rallies before important games.

Pictured (from left) are Richard Haller, Donna Shoults, Jim Shoults and Chance Decker.

Gary Little joined Jim and Donna Shoults to reminisce about the Associated Students. Beach Pride promised to preserve the victory flag and its history for future generations. The return of the flag—now on display in the Beach Pride Center—is particularly timely in light of the Associated Students 50th anniversary on February 14.