CSULB Alumni

There are many notable alumni who have graced the classrooms, halls and athletic fields of Cal State Long Beach. Here's a look at one who dominated the high jump during his career at Long Beach State and beyond.



Dwight Stones

~At Cal State Long Beach from 1972-1976 - Stones never actually graduated, but got hired by CBS his last year of eligiblilty for track and field.


~Claim to fame: Held the world record 8 times for the high jump (his highest height was 7'8''); competed in the Munich (1972), Montreal (1976) and Los Angeles (1984) Summer Olympic Games, winning the bronze at Munich and Montreal.


~Stones was only 18 years old when he competed in his first Olympics in Munich


~Founder of Dwight Stones Sports


~Currently contracted with NBC Sports to cover the Beijing, Vancouver, and London Olympics


~49er Hall of Fame; USA Track and Field Hall of Fame

Click here to read more about Dwight Stones

*Photo Credit: LBSU Media Relations*

"New Band Debuts Friday"

October 1, 1958

"Excitement is mounting over the debut of the new Forty-Niner band at the San Diego - Long Beach State football game. With outfits to knock out your eye and music to match, campaigners for the group have been regaling campus pedestrians during the past two weeks.
All kidding aside, the contribution of the new musical organization will make this a thrilling semester of sports. The Music Department has gone out in buliding and equipping a band that should be the envy of other campuses."

Yes, I know, you probably think I'm a total bando for posting yet another story about the band. And yes, I know how to play a fair amount of instruments (trombone, baritone, clarinet, oboe...). But this story reminded me of my high school marhcing band. I came from a brand new high school in Irvine (Beckman High School) and I was a part of the very first marching band in the school's short history. In our third year, we went on to win first place in seven of the eight parades we had participated in. The score we earned at my last parade as a senior for the band ranked second in Southern California on the SCSBOA website (Southern California Schools Band and Orchestra Association). We earned a 465 (out of 500) music score and a 94.5 (out of 100) overall score - for the bandos who know what these scores mean. We were all amazed at what we had accomplished in a short three years.

So back to Long Beach State - the marching band began with 65 members under drum major Harold Hansen. The band would later be christened, the Big Brown Music Machine, and would be known for performing half time shows of famous movie themes of the time. The Big Brown Music Machine went on to march in the Tournament of Roses Parade in the early 60's. Unfortunately, the marching band was terminated in the early 90's due to the lack of budget. The sprit of the Big Brown Music Machine, however, lives on in the 49er pep band.

*The 49er pep band performs at a volleyball game*

Visit the Long Beach State Pep Band facebook for more information on the group.

That Was Then, This is Now

This is how Cal State Long Beach first appeared in 1949. However, the school wasn't called "California State University, Long Beach" back in the day, it was known as Long Beach State College, or LBSC.

This is how part of the upper campus at Cal State Long Beach appeared in 1988 - a drastic change from its humble beginnings in 1949. The trees in the foreground, however, would make way for more buildings and classrooms.

The Cal State Long Beach Campus has gone through many changes - more buildings, more modern art statues, more fountains. There is no doubt that this is a beautiful campus. And it's one where students can call a second home (despite its classification as a commuter school).

*Black and white photos taken from the Daily Forty-Niner archives. Color photos by Ann Austria*

History in Pictures: Part III

March 30, 1989

"A nurse takes blood from a student's arm at the Red Cross blood drive in the Student Union. 167 units were collected."

Blood drives continue to be held at Cal State Long Beach and are put on by various clubs and organizations. Today's blood drive was put on by the Hispanic Student Business Association. More than one hundred students donated, equalling numerous lives saved - Go Beach!

August 25, 1987

"CSULB students and guests tour one of the two main rooms of the new Loraine Huntington Miller and Charles Elmer Huntington International Houses. Surrounding the main rooms are student suites and a library."

The International House is a true testament of the diversity that is present at Cal State Long Beach. The different student clubs and organizations representing each culture and ethnicity (and are open to any student, regardless of background) are a sure-fire way to bridge the gap between cultures and ethnicities on campus. Take for example, the Pow Wow that took place over the weekend on campus. Those in attendance learned and came to understand the Native American culture.

1989

"The Cal State Long Beach Performing Arts Center a it will appear after completion."

No, the city of Long Beach doesn't actually look like that - a perfect utopia at its finest. Keep in mind that this is an artist's representation of the performing arts center.

The performing arts center was built in 1994 and is known as the Richard and Karen Performing Arts Center. According to the center's website, it contains a 1,074-seat theatre and was modeled after the New York State Theatre of the Arts at Lincoln Center. Each season, the Carpenter Center presenst a variety of music, dance, family and comedy events.

While CSULB's music deparement ensembles don't use the Carpenter Center for performances (they use the Daniel Recital Hall), the advent of a generous 16.4 million dollar donation from the Bob Cole Trust will definately open many doors for the music department, which will be re-named the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music. Click here for the complete story.

Of textbooks, recycling, and Koi fish

September 2, 1987

"Liz Scuaroni, left, Dariusz, middle, and Debora Ann Krey wait in line at the University Bookstore to purchase their textbooks."

This is an all-too-familiar sight as many students flock to the bookstore at the beginning of each semester to purchase their textbooks. While bookstore personell have gotten better at going through the never-ending lines at the cash register, many students are stressed out over the rising costs of textbooks. Some students purchase thier books online on web sites like amazon.com, or other places that sell textbooks at a lower cost than the University Bookstore. Regardless, the prices of textbooks nowadays definately puts a dent in a student's wallet.

March 15, 1989

"Seven-year-old Zachery Duncan-Taylor gets the word out about the benefits of recycling as he passes out handmade fliers to interior design major Patrick McClintock on the Center Quad on Upper Campus."

Today, "going green" and recycling are a major feature at CSULB. "Go green" signs are posted in the school's walkways to promote the importance of a healthier living environment. There are even recycling recepticles in every classroom, as well as next to most trash bins.
But why use a seven-year-old kid to promote the importance and benefits of recyling to college students? That's like the movie "Happy Feet" and the use of penguins to create an awareness of overfishing - indeed, save the penguins. If a younger generation understands what it means to conserve and make the planet a better place, then so be it. After all, the children are the future.

February 9, 1988

"Lori Billingsley, psychology major, and Dorisola Cobb, business major, feed the Koi fish that live in the pond."

The Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden is located just across the street from the Los Alamitos dorms. Its gorgeous landscape and peaceful atmosphere make it a great place to get away from the stressful feeling that school can bring. For more information, visit the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden Site.

*Black and white photos taken from the Daily Forty-Niner archives; color photo by Ann Austria*

History In Pictures: Part II

1988

"Ehsan-Firouzabadi carries his sign during a peaceful rally through the halls and walkways protesting the situation between Iran and Iraq."


This is similar to a war protest that took place on campus during the fall semester. Students who participated in the walk-out promoted the same message, "No more war, we want peace." Despite the differences in decades, the subject of both protests was the conflict in Iraq. Iraq has constantly been a hotbed of conflict, war, chaos.... whatever. Iraq can be described as many things, but peaceful is not one of them. But the message is clear no matter what the decade: "We want peace."





April 5, 1988

"Cal State Long Beach band members Phil Mortensesn, left, and Steve Magana cheer during a women's basketball team against Auburn."

Although the marching band days at Cal State Long Beach have come to an end, the spirit of the band and the music is kept alive today by the 49er pep band. The pep band performs at all men's and women's basketball and volleyball games in the Walter Pyramid. The band is made up of mostly music majors, but anyone who can play an instrument is welcome to join.

1988 - "Tuba player Kerri Morrison takes a breather from band practice."

Take a closer look in the bell of the tuba. Reflected is the rest of the band as it gears up for rehearsal. Click here to read about the Cal State Long Beach marching band, more commonly known as The Big Brown Music Machine.

History In Pictures

*CSULB Homecoming 1989*

Homecoming is a tradition that is passed down throughout the decades of a university. CSULB Homecoming 2008 is scheduled for March 8th.






February 22, 1988

"Tony Cambell, rated second in the world in the high hurdles last year, trains at the CSULB track. He is working towards the olympic trials to be held in July."

Tony Cambell is not the only 49er to reach Olymian status. World-class high jumper Dwight Stones competed with the Long Beach State track and field team in the 1970's and went on to win three Olympic bronze medals. He currently holds the Long Beach State high jump indoor and outdoor record with 7'6 1/2" and 7'7 1/4" repectively. Recently, Misty May, along with partner Kerri Walsh, won the gold medal for beach volleyball in the 2004 Olympics.










April 20, 1989


"The men's tennis shack, near the West tennis courts, is the oldest building on campus and is scheduled to be torn down."


A recent and generous donation of $1.25 million has been given towards the construction of a new tennis facility. Many renovations have been made to the campus, with the library being the most recent. The construction of a new parking structure is currently underway.





February 8, 1989

"A parked bike frames students as they walk along Hardfact Hill."

Based on the positioning of the bell tower in the background of the photo, the campus in 1989 was not what it is today. The addition of the science, fine arts and other buildings allowed for the accomodation of more students, teachers and courses. Nontheless, this grassy knoll remains a popular hang-out and study spot for CSULB students.




*All photos were taken from the Daily Forty-Niner photo archive*