Golfer goes to British Open and more CSULB achievements
Making Waves is a monthly column that celebrates accomplishments of the CSULB community.
Big West Golfer of the Year makes the British Open
Alejandro de Castro Piera ’26, the 2026 Big West Golfer of the Year, recently qualified to compete as an amateur in the 154th Open at Royal Birkdale, aka the British Open. De Castro, who obtained a bachelor’s degree in psychology, was one of 20 qualifiers out of 288 golfers, both professional and amateur, who competed in four sites around the United Kingdom. He tied for third place and was among the top five finishers to advance to the British Open, which will be held July 16-19 at Royal Birkdale in England.
De Castro finished his senior year ranked No. 46 nationally, leading Long Beach State with a stroke average of 69. 6, and helping The Beach win a record fourth straight Big West Championship. The British Open is the oldest and one of the most prestigious golf tournaments in the world.
CSULB Law Society launches first undergraduate law review in CSU system
Cal State Long Beach’s Law Society has made history by launching the first undergraduate law review in the CSU system and the fourth active legal journal among public universities in California. A group of 14 Beach students published the first issue in May, titled “Federalism and Fundamental Rights: Reexamining Constitutional and Civil Liberties in Modern America.” Nicholas Nieto, Law Society president and editor-in-chief of the student-run review, worked closely with Nikki Majidi, co-founder, senior editor and ASI president during the 2024-25 academic year, along with lead editor Thu Chung and faculty adviser Jason Whitehead, an associate professor of political science. The review has the backing of the political science department on campus.
Student group wins Outstanding Event of the Year
The College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Student Council was awarded the Outstanding Event of the Year award by Student Life & Development for organizing and presenting the Laureate Lecture Series. In April, the CNSM Student Council brought to campus Carl Weiman, a Stanford University physics professor who won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2001, for a lecture titled “Taking a Scientific Approach to Science and Engineering Education.”
Weiman won the Nobel Prize in Physics for “the achievement of Bose-Einstein condensation in dilute gases of alkali atoms, and for early fundamental studies of the properties of the condensates.” The CNSM Student Council has organized the lecture series nearly every year since 1976.
Professor’s book explores Indigenous fire-burning practices
Theresa Lynn Gregor, professor and program director for American Indian Studies, served as co-editor for the recently published book, “Landkeeping: Restoring Indigenous Fire Stewardship and Ecological Partnerships” (Oregon State University Press). The book, co-edited by Jared D. Aldern, examines the impact and efficacy of Indigenous fire and cultural burning practices in the face of rising temperatures, longer summers, drought and the increase of wildfires in the United States and Canada. “Landkeeping” takes an interdisciplinary approach that includes ecology, natural resource management, forestry, ethnobotany and Native American/Indigenous studies. Gregor co-wrote the introduction and a chapter titled “Fireworks in Southern California: From Fire Recovery to Restoring Fire to the Land.”
Faculty member surveys queer Indigenous cinema in new book
Gabriel Estrada, a professor in religious studies, has recently published a book titled “Queer Indigenous Cinemas: Sovereign Genders from Seven Directions” (University of Arizona Press). The book offers an analysis of queer Indigenous media from the Americas, the Pacific and the Caribbean. Estrada uses Indigenous directional space and sovereign mapping methods to uncover the emotional, spiritual and cultural dimensions of queer Indigenous lives. The book looks closely at media such as cinema and streaming videos that draw on Indigenous concepts from diverse nations such as the Tongva, Yòruba, Diné, Caxcan, Kanaka Maoli and Nêhiyawak.
June Employee of the Month: Tim Tavolara
Tim Tavolara, a facilities maintenance mechanic with Beach Building Services, has been named CSULB’s Employee of the Month for June 2026. He was recognized for his ability to tackle complex projects with professionalism, efficiency and a positive attitude. “Tim constantly comes to work ready to go, always full of good ideas and solutions to make things work,” said Steven Traurig, sign coordinator. He praised Tavolara’s teamwork and communication skills, stating that he works seamlessly with other shops while maintaining “a cheerful attitude and high communication skills.” Allyson Joy, emergency preparedness manager, highlighted Tavolara’s proactive approach to maintaining emergency preparedness resources, like emergency phones and mounted emergency posters. Tavolara was honored June 16 at Friendship Walk, joined by President Loren J. Blanchard, Vice President of Administration and Finance Scott Apel and numerous Beach Building Services coworkers.
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