When the President’s Scholars Program started at CSULB in 1995, all parties understood that supporting the scholars’ academic excellence would be key to the success of the program.

The President’s Scholars Program is supported solely with private donations. The Thomas E. Miller President’s Scholars Center was made possible through such a donation.

Students studying in the President’s Scholars Center. Many graduating scholars continue their academic careers at prestigious medical schools, law schools and Ph.D. programs across the country, including Harvard, Yale, Duke, Stanford and the University of Southern California.

The library seemed an ideal place to encourage scholarly pursuits and to provide a convenient stop-off location between classes for the scholars. With the additional gracious support of Dean of Library Services Roman Kochan and his staff, the President’s Scholars Center opened in room 301 of the main library in 1997. Throughout the week, many scholars can be found in the center studying, checking e-mail on one of the computers or stopping by to ask questions. As the scholars continue to excel academically, the center remains a vital resource to them.

The President’s Scholars Center is open to the 370 current and 374 alumni scholars to utilize weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Support staff are on-site to answer questions, facilitate use of the center and provide referrals and resource information to scholars. On-site staff includes Program Coordinator Jennie Hurley, Administrative Support Coordinator Delores Benjamin and Charlene Llaban and Casey Lum, part-time student assistants. Call (562) 985-1951 if you have any questions about the Thomas E. Miller President’s Scholars Center. —Hurley is coordinator of the President’s Scholars Center.

In a recent change, supervision of the President’s Scholars Center and several aspects of the Scholars Program were transferred to the Division of Student Services. Valerie Bordeaux, director of University Outreach and School Relations, now oversees the President’s scholars center as well as recruitment, orientation and academic advisement of the scholars. Stan Olin, director of Housing and Residential Life, continues to administer the residential life component of the program. Control of the budget remains within the Office of the President and responsibility for fundraising remains in the Division of University Relations and Development.