1960 - 1965

 

LBSC Turns 10

14 new teachers arrive at State, an affectionate nickname for the university, by Fall 1960. The faculty number grows to 391 full-time faculty members, with 60% of them holding doctorate degrees.

Increase in Student Organizations

Eighty-sevenorganizationscontribute to the welfare of the campus and local communities. Those organizations include: Greek-letter fraternities and sororities, professional fraternities, honor societies, recognition societies, and religious and interest groups.

Daily 49er Prints Twice a Week

In March 1961, the staff members of The Daily 49er achieve their goal of publishing a semi-weekly newspaper. The Board of Control feels the Editor-in-Chief position is too demanding for the amount of credit being received, so they propose paying the editor $60 per month.

 

^{Working through the wee hours of the morning was not unusual to the Forty-Niner staffers. Here Ray Rydell proofreads copy with Nelda Hix and Lois Miller.}

Construction Continues

The Engineering Building, Administration Building, Art Building are in construction by the early '60s.

 

^{Construction on the addition to the Administration Building.}

LBSC Grows Athletic Stature

From a slate of five sports in 1951, LBSC's athletic program expands to a dozen varsity teams by 1960, which include football, water polo, cross country, basketball, gymnastics, wrestling, crew, baseball, golf, tennis, swimming, and track.

Soth Makes Olympic Team

Graduate student, part-time instructor and distance runner Bob Soth goes to Rome as a member of the 1960 U.S. Olympic Team. 

 

The 10th Graduating Class

More than 1,600 bachelor's and master's degrees are awarded in 1960, as LBSC continues to cement its place as a formidable California college.

 

^{Graduates, professors, family and friends gather for the 1961 Commencement Ceremony.}

Welcome Okon!

Press Club welcomes sponsored Nigerian student Okon B. Udokang at L.A. International Airport just before Fall 1961.

 

Cross Country Wins CCAA Title

Cross Country takes the CCAA Title in 1960.

 

Architecture Master Plan for Long Beach State

Architect Ed Killingsworth and his firm draw up a 1963 master plan of the campus -- calling for a unified look to make the campus more friendly for pedestrians. The architects suggest that instead of building a huge student union atop the college's hill, they build a three-level structure set into the hillside. The firm also design the two-story dorms to blend with the rest of the college and the residential neighborhood. 

Tree Planting Planning

Killingsworth and President Carl McIntsoh champion a plan for tree planting across the campus. Aesthetically pleasing, the added trees are to help in softening the large buildings already present on campus. 

 

The Flowering Tree Committee

Killingswroth, McIntosh and landscape architect Edward Lovell take the tree planting issue to the community, seeking to raise $15,000 to buy 3,000 pink-blossomed peach trees. They raise money for not only peach trees, but for ficus and Eucalyptus trees as well.

In Memoriam of President John F. Kennedy

The assassination of President John F. Kennedy in Nov. 22, 1963, leads to a sorrowful mood across the campus. A memorial service takes place in the central quad where President McIntosh gives a moving address.

LBSC Captures CCAA Baseball Crown

 

^{A 49'er baseman receives the throw in time for a put-out in game against L.A. State.}

Three New Symbols Added to CSCLB Seal

The divisions of the seal consist of the sun and sea, a book denoting scholarship, a pick and shovel, and the California bear.

 

CSCLB Makes Headlines

A Beach craft Bonanza crashes on lower campus in mid-January 1965. The plane strikes a chain link fence, which prevents it from rolling over and possibly saving the lives of the two occupants of the plane.

 

Hours to Register

Registering for classes becomes a growing challenge, due to a steadily increasing student body.  At times the lines last several hours before students can register.