Cal State San Bernardino President Tomás D. Morales formally kicked off the 2016-17 academic year Sept. 19 with his annual Convocation address, welcoming faculty and staff to campus — and launching a 4-6 year $50 million comprehensive campaign that will focus on student success programs.

“We are very fortunate — all of us, faculty, staff, students — because we transform lives everyday,” Morales said to the assembled in Coussoulis Arena, as well as those watching a live stream online. “We touch lives everyday. That’s just the best job in the world that I believe we have right here at Cal State San Bernardino.”

In announcing the fundraising campaign, the president said, “As noted in the (university’s five-year) strategic plan, we need to develop consistent sources of external funds. Today I am proud to announce that CSUSB will launch a $50 million comprehensive campaign, focused on those programs that directly impact student success.

“This will be the first comprehensive campaign of this scope in university history, and I am proud to say that we are well on our way, with $30 million already counted towards the goal,” Morales said. “We look forward to sharing ways for everyone to inform giving opportunities in the weeks ahead, but today marks another historic moment in our history.”

Convocation signaled the start of CSUSB’s 51st year, and the event included acknowledgement of faculty and staff who were honored with accolades for their work in advancing the university. CSUSB formally welcomed new faculty and staff — including new provost and vice president of academic affairs, Shari McMahan — and recognized those who earned degrees in the 2015-16 academic year.

“There is a distinctive feeling that always accompanies Convocation,” Morales said. “It is a mixture of excitement and anticipation, chiefly fueled by the boundless energy of our students, especially those newcomers getting their initial taste of Coyote life.

“At the same time, it is anchored by a sense of renewal for faculty and staff, and our continuing students working towards their educational goals,” he said. “For those entering their final months prior to graduation, this is a very special time. It is their capstone experience as they prepare for the next stage in their lives.

“All these elements coming together make Convocation such a special event.”

Morales, who is in his fifth year as only the fourth president of CSUSB since it opened in 1965, reflected the previous year, which included the Dec. 2 tragedy at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino that claimed 14 lives — five of whom were university alumni and a sixth who was the spouse of a CSUSB alumna.

He recalled how the university community came together with the greater community “to mutually support and comfort those affected by this heartbreaking event. We can all draw inspiration from the caring and compassion shown by so many, and in the establishment of the San Bernardino Strong fund, which will provide young people from families affected by the incident the resources to attend CSUSB.”

Morales pointed to a crowning achievement that came at the end of CSUSB 50th anniversary year, “a historic event that can truly be regarded as transformational.” Jack Brown, executive chairman of Stater Bros. Markets, philanthropist and longtime friend of the university, donated $10 million to the College of Business and Public Administration, the largest single cash gift ever received by this university.”

The gift can be used by the college “to attract and retain faculty, facilitate student enrichment, provide for new programs, and supplement research in perpetuity,” Morales said.

In response, the California State University Board of Trustees approved the university’s request to name the business college the “Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration.”

While the 2015-16 academic year marked CSUSB’s golden anniversary, it also was year one of the university’s work to implement its five-year strategic plan, Morales said. Drawing on all facets of the university community, the plan addresses student success, faculty and staff success, resource sustainability and expansion, community engagement and partnerships and identity.

After highlighting some of the achievements in “a productive first year,” Morales turned attention to the coming year, saying, “over the next 12 months, we can look forward to even more progress.”

In addition to the start of the $50 million comprehensive campaign, work includes:

  • College of Arts and Letters faculty collaborating to create interdisciplinary courses both across the college and the university;
  • The implementation of a revised Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration’s honors program for undergraduate students;
  • Continuing progress on quarter-to-semester schedule conversion, including ongoing review of work process, resource allocation, curriculum redesign, faculty scheduling and budget impact;
  • An expansion of efforts by the Teaching Resource Center – in collaboration with the quarter-to-semester schedule conversion director, undergraduate studies, community engagement and others – to create faculty and staff communities of practice for joint support of student success;
  • The department of housing and residential education launching its Faculty-in-Residence Program featuring seven members representing the performing arts, history and communication studies;
  • Participation by PDC freshmen in five of the recommended high impact practices: student learning communities, first year experience, peer mentors, supplemental instruction, and advising; and
  • The start of the search process to hire a director of leadership development and employment enrichment will begin, a key component to creating a Staff Development Center.

At the same time, Morales said, the university also needs to “remain aware of the present. There are great things happening every day at CSUSB that impact our students and their families as well as the community and region.”

These include the continuing effort to help students succeed in college through the Coyote First STEP, SOAR and SAIL programs, along with supporting and expanding affinity groups and how they contribute to the diversity and richness of the campus community, he said.

At the CSUSB Palm Desert Campus, which continues to grow as the Coachella Valley’s only four-year public university, work continues to develop a new academic program in hospitality management in an area that is regarded as one of the world’s premier resort regions, Morales said. “Part of the Brown College, it will allow us to offer the hospitality industry qualified graduates already familiar with the area.”

The university must also be mindful of what goes on in the two-county region of San Bernardino and Riverside, he said; 86 percent of its students come from within the Inland Empire and that a majority remain in the region. This includes continuing to work with local schools, where CSUSB graduates are teachers and administrators, and partnerships have developed to better prepare students for college. It extends into the community as the university alerts it of potential business opportunities and resources in the region. And it means helping to foster a sense of service to the community; students and alumni alike have made service a part of their lives, volunteering and getting involved with local issues and programs.

“So let us take pride in what we do and what we contribute to this region,” Morales said. “We will continue to grow with the Inland Empire and build upon our legacy as a world-class institution. … Everything we do now directly effects our current students, tomorrow’s proud alumni and the engaged leaders who will guide, enrich and inspire our local region, Southern California, this state and our nation for generations to come.”

He concluded: “These are exciting times with tremendous opportunities ahead. Remember: real success begins with believing in each other and knowing that, working together, we can achieve great things. I hope, like me, you are excited, energized and looking forward to what will be a great year for us all. … It is, indeed, a great day to be a Coyote.”

The complete Convocation program may be seen online at “Convocation 2016.”

Set in the foothills of the beautiful San Bernardino Mountains, CSUSB is a preeminent center of intellectual and cultural activity in inland Southern California. CSUSB serves more than 20,000 students each year and graduates about 4,000 students annually. CSUSB is listed among the best colleges and universities in the western United States, according to The Princeton Review, Forbes and U.S. News and World Report.

For more information about Cal State San Bernardino, call the university’s Office of Strategic Communication at (909) 537-5007 and visit news.csusb.edu.