Kevon Lee did not let his childhood and adolescent years define who he wanted to become. At the young age of five years old, Lee was placed in the foster care system due to being shot during a drug-related incident that involved his parents. After graduating high school, Lee flipped his lifestyle upside down. He became a fitness advocate, a motivational speaker for the youth, author, and activist for anti-bullying. Lee graduated from CSUSB with his Bachelors degree. As a young child, the environment Lee grew up in was pretty devastating. At a young age, the community around us shapes our mindset and the way we view life. Lee's community consisted of drugs and prison time. It was … [Read more...] about From a grim and bleak childhood to motivational speaker and author
Alumni
A true leader of the Inland Empire
Dr. Ayanna Balogun is a CSUSB alumnus who has made a huge impact on the Inland Empire and has risen over and beyond for the community. She has persevered through hardships and adversity and has managed to become a success. Starting at Chaffey community college she then transferred to CSUSB receiving her Bachelor of liberal arts, to eventually getting her Ph.D. from the Harvard University Extension School. Today she is the principal of Warner Elementary. I first met her s my first-grade teacher at Curtis Elementary in Rialto, Ca. As a little Black girl, she always instilled in me to get educated and stay determined no matter what life throws at you. She made sure to … [Read more...] about A true leader of the Inland Empire
CSUSB Symphony Orchestra performance returns after two years
The CSUSB Symphony Orchestra returned with a heightened performance after two years without a live audience. The performance featured the 2021-2022 Young Artist Competition finalists Eliana Jeong playing the cello and Juan Del Real playing the clarinet. Returning finalists from the 2019-2020 Young Artist competition Andrew Bora playing the cello, Joshua Rodriguez-Irons playing the violin, and Judith Nuñez-Larios on the saxophone. Over the past two years, the CSUSB Symphony Orchestra and CSUSB Music Department has continued to produce music and performances through various forms of online conditions. Many of those performances can be found on the CSUSB Music Department Youtube … [Read more...] about CSUSB Symphony Orchestra performance returns after two years
CSUSB alumnus co-writes Netflix film
As part of the Professor for a Day event, CSUSB Alumnus Danny Bilson talks about his successes in the theater industry and his contribution to Da 5 Bloods, which will premier on Netflix on June 12. Graduating from CSUSB in 1978 with a BA in theater, Bilson co-wrote The Rocketeer with his writing partner Paul De Meo, co-produced the Sims, was Executive Creative Director for Electronic Arts (EA), and is now a professor and Interactive Media and Games Division Chair at University of Southern California (USC). As for his contributions to Da 5 Bloods, Bilson and De Meo wrote the original screenplay which was later adapted by director Spike Lee. “The story of Da 5 Bloods came from San … [Read more...] about CSUSB alumnus co-writes Netflix film
CSUSB’s Alumni Night game
As a celebration for the graduates, CSUSB created an event - the hockey game for alumni - for students to watch and enjoy. The Ontario Reign hockey game will take place at the Toyota Arena, on February 29, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. This will allow alumni to reminisce on their college experiences and celebrate with the class they graduated with. During the game, there will be a Reign hat giveaway. To be eligible for the hat giveaway, one would have to had purchased tickets through the CSUSB website under the Alumni Events tab. The ticket price for the game is $30 per person and seating in sections 215 to 219 will be available. If you wish to celebrate with your fellow students, the … [Read more...] about CSUSB’s Alumni Night game
RAFFMA reopens with Lebanese American and Korean Artists
Robert and Frances Fullerton Museum of Art (RAFMA) new art exhibit consist of a solo show for the Lebanese American Artist Rabbia Sukkarieh and a group show for Korean Artists displayed in the backspace. "DARKEVENTWHITEHORIZON" the solo show by Artist Rabbia Sukkarieh first presented as people walked in, with drawings and a wall sculpture, creating a sense of being different and unique. Her sculptures were huge, made completely out of wool and were displayed in the smaller space to the left, while her very large paintings were displayed in the middle of the exhibit and were very detailed and intertwined with color and darkness at the same time. “DARKEVENTWHITEHORIZON is about the … [Read more...] about RAFFMA reopens with Lebanese American and Korean Artists
SOAR leader says ‘Yes’ to CSUSB sweetheart
Bubbles and applause erupted as Tierra Roman said ‘yes’ to her CSUSB sweetheart Thomas Robles’ marriage proposal. The proposal took place at 5 p.m. at the Murillo Family Observatory, as Robles, CSUSB alumni, diligently organized the elaborate surprise event. Robles got the idea to propose at CSUSB because the school meant so much to both of them. “This is the place where we met, this is the place where we had our first kiss,” Robles said, “This is where I want to start our life together, CSUSB.” Since the engagement, the couple has been enjoying the start of their new lives together. "This has been the happiest time in both of our lives," Robles said, "I love that we are … [Read more...] about SOAR leader says ‘Yes’ to CSUSB sweetheart
CSUSB Remembers Lives Lost at the 2015 Shooting
Bells tolled on CSUSB campus in memory of victims of the 2015 mass shooting attack in San Bernardino. The College of Natural Sciences along with the CSUSB community held their third Remembrance Day for the five CSUSB alumni who tragically lost their lives in the shooting that took place at Inland Regional Center on December 2nd, 2015. The event was located at the Peace Garden on campus and was attended by faculty, students, and family of the victims, totaling over 60 people. Every year, on December 2nd, at 2 p.m., people gather in remembrance and celebration of the five victims who were associated with the Natural Sciences department. The Garden is this university's way of … [Read more...] about CSUSB Remembers Lives Lost at the 2015 Shooting
Homecoming Celebrations
Coordinated by the Office of Student Engagement, CSUSB had its annual Homecoming on Saturday, Oct. 21, as a way to bring students, alumni, staff and community members together to celebrate what it is like to be a Coyote. “The purpose of Homecoming is celebration,” said Alumni Engagement Coordinator, Crystal Wymer-Lucero. Wymer-Lucero says the event is significant because it brings together everybody and it is also a tradition.“We’re here to celebrate what it means to be a coyote and honor everything we’ve done over the last years,” said Wymer-Lucero.This year's homecoming celebration had over 1,000 members of the Coyote Family.The day was commenced with the Homecoming Bash, which took … [Read more...] about Homecoming Celebrations
Career expressions for alumni artist
By Nicholas Linares |Staff Writer| CSUSB alumni Grant Sutton, a local Southern California resident is living the creative life with his full-time career as a respected traditional tattoo artist. In his booth at Empire Tattoo, Sutton has several mediums of art displayed for the public. One of these pieces is a burnt paper with a scenery weapon from Rob Zombies movie, Halloween. On the burnt paper is a large cleaver depicting the house that Michael Myers grew up in, the clown mask he wore as a child, a revolver and a pumpkin. “I was really upset when my wife accidentally knocked over a beer onto the painting right after I had just finished painting the blood,” stated Sutton. … [Read more...] about Career expressions for alumni artist