Musical Mandel

"I really believe that almost everything I have accomplished is because of my experiences at that university," said Jerry Mandel, president of the Orange County Performing Arts Center. "I will always be involved with Long Beach State."

Mandel, who travels to arts events all over the country, had never seen a play or musical until he was a student at CSULB. 

"Subsequently, all of my life I have loved the theater, and music, and opera, and symphony, but I had never experienced it before I went there," he said.

Although Mandel was the first member of his family to attend college, he now holds a bachelors degree in social sciences and a master's degree in speech communications from CSULB, as well as a doctorate in organizational communication from Purdue.

After completing his graduate schooling, Mandel's first job was on faculty at CSULB. He later returned to serve as vice president for University Relations and Development. He has served as executive vice president of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and Dean of the College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts at San Diego State University. 

According to Mandel, initially he wasn't going to accept his position at the  Orange County Performing Arts Center, but he later realized that it was the opportunity of a lifetime. 

"It has really been the culmination of everything I've really wanted to do. You just don't realize it until you do it," he said.

The Orange County Performing Arts Center is the fifth largest performing arts center in the country, Mandel explains.

"While this is an arts center, it's a $30 million a year business. We have 110 employees and we serve almost 800,000 patrons a year. There are management things to do," he said.

Fund raising is very important for the center, so Mandel frequently dines with donors, perspective donors, and board members, he said.

"We don't take any government money, it's all private. We're the only one in the country that is totally privately supported," Mandel said.

During his tenure at CSULB, Mandel participated in the inaugurations of the Pyramid and the Carpenter Center. 

"Opening night at the Carpenter Center, Richard played some of their old stuff. At the end they did that thing where they drop the screen and he sang along with Karen. There wasn't a dry eye in the place. I'll never forget that," he said.

Mandel, who plays the saxophone and clarinet, says he has a personal love for jazz. 

"I love KLON; I think it's the greatest radio station in the world," he said about the jazz station that broadcasts from campus.

He also loves basketball and says it's not uncommon for him to attend Long Beach State's games, but his greatest joy is reading.

"I particularly love reading biographies. I just find it fascinating to read about people, because you find out what makes them successful," Mandel said.

Mandel says that college grades are important because they reflect your effort, work habits and dedication, which lead to future success. 

"Long Beach State is a great education, and you can do anything you want and be anything you want from Long Beach. That's the beauty of that campus and I'm proof positive of that," he said..