Golden Graduates Spotlights


Kathy (Kasarda) Cunningham `66

GOLDEN GRADUATE - The fondest memory of attending CSULB, I was president of Delta Zeta Sorority and I met my future husband at a fraternity-sorority party in Seal Beach (he was the pledge trainer for Theta Chi at CSULB – Steven Spielberg was one of his pledges).

Dwayne Larson '65

GOLDEN GRADUATE - CSCLB prepared me for a great career with the LA County Probation Department as a Probation Officer in 1970. I found my experience at the college both enriching and a fun time in my life.

Dixie Grimmett

GOLDEN FACULTY - My first year at LB was difficult, as I was very homesick for my family, friends, and the Utah Mountains.  After the first year, I settled in and got very invested in my teaching and the opportunities at LB.  I taught a variety of classes—major and general activity classes and was in charge of Campus Intramurals. 

Stephen Propes

GOLDEN GRADUATE - Since 2000, I've been a freelance journalist, working for the Long Beach Beachcomber, writing on all subjects and kept up my radio career on WPMD at Cerritos College and Internet station, Rock-It Radio. As of this year, I've also begun teaching rock and roll roots at OLLI on the CSULB campus.

Sally Wurth '65

GOLDEN GRADUATE - We were the first baccalaureate class in Nursing from LBSC which in 1965 had then become California State University Long Beach. This year is the 50th anniversary of the Nursing program and of our graduation. As the first nursing class, we were the program ambassadors and pioneers to many program activities and relationships i.e., the…

K.Y. Shen

GOLDEN FACULTY - During my tenure, I was mostly involved with teaching and research like most other faculty. I also took two leaves of absences when I went to conduct research at institutions like the University of Colorado and Cambridge.

Gerrie Peters

GOLDEN GRADUATE - My background in physics did give me a slight advantage over many of my fellow graduate students. The curriculum was quite demanding. I was required to make up the undergraduate astronomy class that I had missed at the same time taking the normal graduate classes.

John Kagy '64

GOLDEN GRADUATE - Up until that point I had to work and go to school, but during senior year I had the time to do all the things I wanted to do on campus. Besides focusing on classes, I was also able to really get involved with events like 49er Days.

Bernard Wroblewski

GOLDEN GRADUATE - My fondest memory at CSULB was the professors I encountered and the education I received.

Pete Boothroyd '69

GOLDEN GRADUATE - Joining the fraternity was one of the three most important things that I did at Long Beach State. The other two were getting a great education and meeting my wife. Sigma Pi provided a social education, many social events, and life-long friendships. It also provided a way to be involved in school activities in basically a commuter college.

Dr. Thymios (Tim) Jordanides

GOLDEN FACULTY - I knew that Long Beach was a place with opportunity.  At the time, I realized that Long Beach was situated in a great location both geographically and professionally.  The aerospace industry was booming during those years with firms throughout Los Angeles County and Orange County.  LBSC is situated so well between both counties.

Fred Peritore '64

GOLDEN GRADUATE - I think it is fair to say that I fell in love with Long Beach State the very first day I came on campus as a student way back in September of 1961.  Not only did I find the campus impressive but my professors were of the highest quality from the get-go, and I cannot say that I ever had one who I thought was anything but excellent.