In April, McNair Scholars David Stout, a mechanical and aerospace engineering major, and Erin Hale, a women’s, gender and sexuality studies major, presented at the 23rd National Conference on Undergraduate Research at the University of Wisconsin-La Cross. NCUR promotes undergraduate research, scholarship and creative activity in all fields of study, and brings together more than 2,000 young scholars and faculty mentors from across the country to participate in workshops, networking and presentation forums. Stout presented “Hawsat-1: Introducing CubSat Satellite System Variables” and Hale presented “Where the Girls Were: Interpreting Depictions of Eroticism within Lesbian Pulp Fiction.”

During the week of April 13-16, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Resource Center and other campus groups and sponsors hosted LGBT Diversity Week. The week was a series of public education programs that highlighted diversity within the LGBT community. The event sought to explore intersections among identities such as sexual orientation, gender/gender identity, race/ethnicity and socio-economic status. The week included a panel discussion, a privilege lecture symposium, a community resource fair and a student open mic period. The week concluded with a performance art piece presented by Butchlalis de Panochtitlan.

On May 16, the LGBT Resource Center, Delta Lambda Phi Fraternity, and other campus groups hosted the Third Annual Lavender Graduation Celebration at CSULB. Lavender Graduation is a cultural commencement celebration acknowledging LGBT and heterosexual ally graduates of all races and ethnicities. The event celebrated student achievements and contributions as they graduate from the university. The celebration proclaimed CSULB as a safe place for all students, faculty and staff. For more information, go to www.csulb.edu/lgbt.

In spring 2009, 21 CSULB alumni were serving in 17 of the 76 posts where the Peace Corps serves around the world. CSULB alumni were working in Armenia, China, Eastern Caribbean, Macedonia, Mauritania, Micronesia, Mongolia, Niger, Peru, the Philippines, Senegal, South Africa, Thailand, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Vanuatu, with more than one person at several of the posts. Since the corps was established in 1961, a total of 668 CSULB alumni have volunteered with Peace Corps projects ranging from business development, health and HIV/AIDS, education and youth.

Pictured (from left) are Justin Larza, Richard Ramirez, Walter Martinez (lecturer), Edgardo Miguel, Samuel Tolentino, Adam Reyes and Joshua Henry.

In April, a team of electronics engineering technology students took their robot, Sharktooth, to the International Society of Automation’s Battle Bots Collegiate Champions national competition held in Vallejo. The contest was broadcast on the CBS Collegiate Sports Network in early August.