Dr. Jolene Koester announced her retirement as president of CSUN. In an email to the CSUN community, Koester said she is stepping down and retiring December 2011. In her message, she highlighted some of the university’s achievements in her more than 10 years as president. “Our graduation rates have improved and we are now a beautiful and distinctive campus with improved business processes,” Koester said. Koester also noted the Valley Performing Arts Center (VPAC) as a major milestone in CSUN’s… Read more

Correction: It was stated that business and marketing graduate students presented a business plan for CSUN’s Bicycle Co-op to the USU Board of Directors. In fact, graduate and undergraduate business and marketing, and engineering students presented an independent academic project about a feasibility study for a bike shop. Business and marketing masters students presented future projections for CSUN’s fledgling Bicycle Co-Op before the USU board of directors. They focused more on the club’s student service mission rather than its ability… Read more

CSUN President Jolene Koester will retire by the end of Fall 2011. Koester sent out an email earlier today announcing her plan to faculty and students. Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Harry Hellenbrand who has worked with Koester said she will be missed. “It’s a big loss to us all – personally and collectively,” Hellenbrand said. He said Koester’s “legacy” would be the philosophy she has established on campus. “It will carry us through,” Hellenbrand said. He added… Read more

Many of CSUN’s professors have been awarded the prestigious Fulbright Scholarship. The latest is Melissa Wall, a journalism professor. The Fulbright Scholarship provides scholars with funding to travel to different countries and leave an impression in the communities they visit by nourishing them with their knowledge.  It is sponsored by the United States Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Around 50 Fulbright Scholarships have been awarded to CSUN scholars between 1980 to 2011 in a variety of different… Read more

CSUN’s Information Technology (IT) has stepped into the modern era of computing and now has made available to all students, faculty and staff a virtual computing lab (VCL) that allows them to log in and use software from any computer in any location. In an email interview, IT executive analyst Danita Leese said the pilot program of the VCL went well. “Feedback thus far from the various VCL pilots indicates that faculty and students are in favor of the anywhere,… Read more

What started out as a CSUN senior project in 2010, “Misdirection” has now blossomed in a successful film that has been well received by the industry. “Misdirection” was accepted into the American Pavilion Emerging Filmmaker Showcase at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival. The CSUN students who produced the short film graduated in Spring 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in cinema and television arts emphasis in film production.  “Misdirection” was written and directed by Doron Kipper and co-produced by Sevan Ambrahamian,… Read more

Hakeem Animashaun has accomplished more at 20 years of age than most people his age. The second year marketing major is the co-founder of Cokeem Media an up-and-coming production business where everyone is a celebrity. It is an attention-catching website with an artistic feel that serves as a place to network and promote their business. Animashaun is the creative director of Cokeem Media. His older brother and two friends serve as the financial planner, artistic director and photographer. After dedicating… Read more

CSUN’s Japanese traditional drumming group Jishin Taiko will hold its fifth annual Spring Concert this Sunday. “Taiko is not something you hear or see, it is something you feel,” said Gisselle Jaen, one of the performing members who is also in charge of the group’s fundraising. The concert will serve as a celebration of the all the member’s hard work throughout the year as well as a farewell to retiring members. The concert will also showcase new members who will… Read more