Famous
CSULB alumni contribute to campus
By
Jessica Perez
Online Forty-Niner
Contributing Writer
The Walter Pyramid, the Dirtbags and Prospector Pete are not the only popular
icons native to Cal State Long Beach. From businessmen to congressmen, film makers,
athletes and entertainers, CSULB’s alumni list is filled with some of the
most prominent figures in the country.
With a numerous list of athletic talent, including Major League Baseball players
Jason Giambi, Bobby Crosby and Jered Weaver, CSULB has proven to be a leader
in the baseball field. But The Beach has also produced champions in the sport
for which it is most famous: beach volleyball.
Olympic beach volleyball champion Misty May graduated from CSULB with a bachelor’s
degree in kinesiology in 2002. While a student, she won a national championship,
received the 1998 Athlete of the Year Award and was on the All-American First
Team for three years.
According to Debbie Green, assistant women’s volleyball coach at CSULB
and May’s former coach, May remains involved with the school.
“
She is one of our most giving athletes coming out of Long Beach,” Green
said. “She often attends the games, donates items and maintains herself
involved with numerous events and benefits.”
After a successful run at college athletics, May participated in the 2000 Summer
Olympics where she placed fifth and returned in the 2004 Summer Olympics to claim
a gold medal in beach volleyball along with teammate Kerri Walsh.
May currently coaches women’s volleyball at Irvine Valley Junior College
as an assistant coach and is married to Matt Treanor, a catcher for the Florida
Marlins.
Another popular figure and CSULB alumnus helped create E.T., Jaws and Jurassic
Park. Director Steven Spielberg attended in the late 1960s, but dropped out to
become the most commercially successful filmmaker in Hollywood history.
On May 31, 2002, he returned to participate in the commencement ceremony, receiving
a bachelor’s degree in film and electronic arts. Although he does not maintain
active ties with the university, Spielberg continues to show Beach pride and
has been spotted wearing campus logo caps at various public events.
Another slightly less well-known alumnus is being honored this year by CSULB.
Retired minister and current businessman Mick Ukleja is being honored as a distinguished
alumnus at this year’s Alumni Awards Ceremony and Banquet May 9. Ukleja
received a bachelor’s degree in philosophy in 1973 and is currently the
founder and president of Leadership TraQ, a consulting firm that trains corporate
executives in responsible leadership.
For years, Ukleja has continued to serve CSULB as member of the Board of Governors
and the CEO Forum at the College of Business Administration at CSULB, and in
2002 he received the President’s Distinguished Service Award from former
President Robert C. Maxon.
Ukleja and his wife Louise have been long-time supporters and financial contributors
to the university. Last year they funded one of the campus’ newest educational
venues, the Ukleja Center for Ethical Leadership, housed within the College of
Business Administration.
“
Ukleja is really involved in University affairs. He is a very generous contributor
and has donated millions to establish centers here at Long Beach,” said
Nancy Becker, events coordinator for Alumni Relations.
Corina Villaraigosa, wife of Los Angeles City Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and
Long Beach State alumna will also be honored at the ceremony. She received a
bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies in 1983 and has been a Montebello
Unified School District educator for over 20 years.
The first lady of Los Angeles was recently appointed by Chairwoman and Los Angeles
County Supervisor Gloria Molina to be part of the First 5 L.A. Commission, a
program looking at universal children in preschool. She will also help administer
$209 million in annual funding for early childhood development, health and education
programs in Los Angeles County.
A past recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award is Long Beach City Mayor Beverly
O’Neill. She obtained a bachelor’s in elementary education in 1952
and a master’s in 1957 from Long Beach State.
O’Neill spent 31 years as an instructor, adviser, campus dean, and ultimately
superintendent-president of Long Beach City College. She is Long Beach’s
only three-term citywide elected mayor and has been awarded by numerous organizations
for her dedication to the city, education and youth.
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