California State University, Dominguez Hills

"Dominguez Hills" redirects here. For the range of hills, see Dominguez Hills (mountain range).

California State University, Dominguez Hills
Motto	In learning is brotherhood, integrity and freedom
Established	1960
Type	Public university
Endowment	$6.0 million
President	Dr. Mildred García
Provost	Dr. Mitch Maki
Academic staff	678
Undergraduates	10,880 (fall 2009)
Postgraduates	3,597
Location	33°51′53″N 118°15′22″W
Campus	Urban, 346 acres (140 ha)
Former names	South Bay State College (1960–62) California State College at Palos Verdes (1962–66) California State College, Dominguez Hills (1966–77)
Nickname	Toros
Affiliations	California State University system
Website	csudh.edu

California State University, Dominguez Hills (abbreviated CSUDH or CSU Dominguez Hills) is a public university located in the South Bay region of Los Angeles County and was founded in 1960. The university is part of the California State University system.

History of the university

The foundation for CSU Dominguez Hills was built in 1960 when then Governor of California Pat Brown provided state funds to begin development on the school. It was to be located in Palos Verdes, California, and known as 'South Bay State College'. The tentative name was changed to California State College at Palos Verdes in 1962. In 1964, architect A. Quincy Jones successfully designed a master plan for construction. As the college had not yet been constructed, the first classes began to be taught in 1965 at the California Federal Savings Bank in Palos Verdes Peninsula, California. The college began with an enrollment of 27 freshmen and 14 juniors.

In 1965 the designated location for the campus was moved to an area known as Dominguez Hills in Carson. The campus sits on the historic Rancho San Pedro, the oldest land grant in the Los Angeles area. The land was in the continuous possession of the Dominguez family through seven generations -- from its concession to Juan Jose Dominguez in 1784 to its acquisition by the people of the state of California for the university.

The university was established, in large part, as a response to the African American outcry for higher education standard and opportunities.

In 1977 the California Postsecondary Education Commission endorsed the college trustees’ desire to change the name of the school from California State College, Dominguez Hills to California State University, Dominguez Hills.

The university today

Welch Hall, a building on the campus of CSU Dominguez Hills

Today, CSU Dominguez Hills is a major university for the Southern geographical region of Los Angeles County and the north regions of Orange County. Total enrollment typically hovers around 14,500 students. The park-like, 346-acre (140 ha) campus is located strategically in the heart of a major technological, industrial, and transportation complex.

2011 Demographics of student body

	All enrolled students
African American	22.0%
Asian American	9.5%
White Americans	12.3%
Hispanic American	44.7%
Mixed-Ethnicity
Native American	0.3%

CSUDH offers forty-five undergraduate majors, twenty-four master's degrees, and a number of certificate and credential programs. It is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs, the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration, the National Association of Schools of Music, and the National Association of Schools of Theatre. It is also the administrative headquarters of the California State University's Statewide Nursing Program.

CSU Dominguez Hills is also the home of the Home Depot Center, a 27,000 seat multiple-sports and entertainment complex, which also houses, Calvary Chapel's Easter Service each year.

Athletics

CSU Dominguez Hills' athletic teams are known as the Toros, and the university's colors are cardinal red and "gold". Dominguez Hills competes against other "universities" in Division II of the NCAA in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. The men’s soccer won its second national NCAA Division II championship in a match against Dowling College on Dec. 7, 2008 at the University of Tampa’s Pepin Stadium. The women's soccer team won a Division II title in 1991.

The men's soccer team plays at Toro Stadium (capacity 8,000). Other sports venues for the university are the Torodome (capacity 4,200) for basketball and volleyball; Toro Field (capacity 300) for baseball; and Toro Diamond (capacity 300) for softball. Select home games are nationally televised live via Internet TV.

Notable alumni

• Karen Bass - Speaker of the California Assembly (2008—2010)
• Jeff Coopwood - Emmy nominated actor, broadcaster, educator
• Grace-Ann Dinkins - Olympic 100m track runner
• Kate Gale - managing editor of Red Hen Press
• Clarence Gilyard - actor, Matlock and Walker, Texas Ranger
• Dan Guerrero - athletic director for the University of California, Los Angeles
• Kevin Hartman - Major League Soccer goalkeeper
• Jerome Horton - California State Assemblyman for the 51st District
• Carmelita Jeter - American sprinter
• Kei Kamara - Major League Soccer striker
• Brian Kehew - musician, The Moog Cookbook
• John Langley - producer, COPS
• Niecy Nash - actress, Reno 911!, dancer on Dancing with the Stars
• Rodney Allen Rippy - child television commercial star
• Lela Rochon - actress, Harlem Nights, Why Do Fools Fall in Love
• Scott Shaw - author, actor, fimmaker
• Louil Silas - record executive, Silas Records
• Steffan Tubbs - journalist, two-time winner of the Edward R. Murrow award

External links

• Official website
• Official Athletics website