GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY
CSUB kicks off its 50th anniversary tonight with virtual celebration
Tonight’s official kickoff of CSUB’s yearlong 50th anniversary is — like most things these days — virtual. But the entertainment and inspiration will be very real as the university hosts business magnate and visionary Sir Richard Branson, Grammy Award-winning jazz vocalist Gregory Porter and Bakersfield’s favorite showman, Monty Byrom, among other talents.
“Who would have thought Bakersfield would be such a big player in the CSU system,” Byrom said in a recent interview. “We’ve got plenty to be proud of.” Indeed.
Fifty years ago, the Bakersfield area was the only metropolitan region in the country to lack nearby access to a four-year college. That oversight was corrected on Oct. 1, 1970, when California State College, Bakersfield, welcomed its first class of nearly 1,000 students. Now, more than 11,000 students attend the university, at both its Bakersfield and Antelope Valley locations, and
more than 56,000 graduates have ventured out into the world with their hopes, dreams and degrees.
“Today in the Southern San Joaquin Valley, we are the beneficiaries of the work and sacrifice of so many who fought and campaigned to expand the opportunities of our sons and daughters,” said CSUB President Dr. Lynnette Zelezny. “When we celebrate, starting with our big kickoff event, we will remember what they’ve done for countless families, and we will honor their service by doing the same for the generations to come.”
Sir Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group and an entrepreneur of uncommon imagination and vision, is the guest of honor at today’s celebration, which runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on YouTube, whose link is available at csub.edu. Everyone is invited — and encouraged — to attend.
Branson will take questions that have already been submitted by students, faculty, staff, alumni and the community in a discussion moderated by U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy, a CSUB alumnus. The topics range from business, to climate change, to criminal justice and, of course, space, a source of fascination for Branson, who is pioneering space travel, giving a shot of energy to the aerospace industry, which has thrived in the Antelope Valley and Mojave Desert for decades.
“This event has been in the making since last year, when we knew we were going to be celebrating our 50th,” said Ellie Fergon, director of events at CSUB. “However, the need to go virtual with all our events has changed the platform and the style of our celebration quite significantly.”
In addition to Branson, the program will feature a special performance by Grammy Award-winning jazz vocalist Gregory Porter, who was raised in Bakersfield and lives in the city with his family.
“Gregory Porter is scheduled to do a nice a cappella version of ‘Happy Birthday,’” said Fergon of the star, who recently released his sixth studio album, “All Rise,” which is receiving universal acclaim for its mix of gospel, R&B, pop, funk and jazz.
Bakersfield country blues rocker Monty Byrom will perform “Faith,” a song he cut with his bestselling band, Big House, whose opening stanza seems predestined for the occasion, which celebrates the partnership between CSUB and the communities it serves:
You can hear the same old story A hundred different ways Everybody’s got something to say
We both need a bridge to stand on
We both need each other to lean on
We both want the same thing “It’s one of those songs you can take in a lot of ways,” Byrom said. “It’s a lot about life. I tried to leave it unspecific in that way. Of all the songs, that’s the one that hit me. I think it’s right for the 50th anniversary.”
Along with Porter and Byrom, a group of talented CSUB musicians will perform, as will local players Jason Dozier, Jay Smith, Tony Rinaldi, Fernando Montoya,
Isaiah Morfin, Kevin Wiley and Silo Ornelas.
Fergon said she is getting some enthusiastic feedback — from none other than Porter, who has performed with the biggest stars of our time.
“When I met with Gregory Porter, I was telling him a little bit about the event. When I told him about Sir Richard Branson, he was floored. He was like, ‘Send me the link. What a cool thing to be a part of.’”
But Fergon is relying on more than the pull of entertainers and icons to appeal to the ’Runner
family and greater community.
“Hopefully this community cares enough about CSUB that they want to support us with or without our top speakers,” Fergon said. “Why do people want to sit down and take time out of their evening in front of their computer? They want to do it because they care about this university, our students and what has been happening here for two generations.”
Jennifer Self is the public information officer at Cal State Bakersfield.