History Timeline Text

4/29/60

Dominguez Family

California State University, Dominguez Hills was founded in 1960; however, the campus sits on land that has a long and rich history. The university's 346 acres were once a section of the first private land grant in Southern California—the Rancho San Pedro. Juan José Dominguez (1736-1809), a Spanish soldier, received the original grant of 75,000 acres in 1784 from King Carlos III of Spain. While much of the acreage has been sold and developed, portions remain in the possession of Dominguez descendants. The site chosen for the university was known as the Dominguez Hills, named after the family.

4/29/60

South Bay State College

The California State Legislature authorized the establishment of the "South Bay State College" and Governor Edmund G. (Pat) Brown signed it into law on April 29, 1960. The need for a campus in the South Bay region of Los Angeles County became apparent in response to a rising population in the 1950s influenced by the growth of families of World War II veterans, and by emerging aerospace and defense industries.

1/19/62

Leo Cain Named First President

On January 19, 1962, Dr. Leo F. Cain, was appointed as the first president of the college.

1/1/64

Architect A. Quincy Jones Designs Campus

The innovative and modernist architect, A. Quincy Jones, created a campus physical master plan in 1964 and oversaw the design of buildings and development of the campus until his death in 1979.

1/1/65

First Classes Held

In 1965, the university held its first classes at a temporary location in the California Federal Savings Bank in Rolling Hills Estates. The college was renamed California State College at Palos Verdes, and approximately 40 students enrolled and were taught by 11 faculty members, as well as administrators.

8/11/65

Watts Rebellion

In 1965, the Watts Rebellion devastated a community and awakened the nation, bringing longstanding grievances and inequalities into the spotlight. The Watts uprising is considered by many to have been one of the key turning points in the African American Civil Rights movement, and has served to shape scholarly and public understanding of race rebellions and the development of race relations in the United States.

9/1/65

Dominguez Hills Site Selected

Following the Watts Rebellion, Gov. Pat Brown visited the area and determined that the Dominguez Hills site in the soon-to-be City of Carson would provide the diverse, mostly minority population in nearby urban neighborhoods with the best accessibility to a college education.

1/1/66

Temporary Watt Campus Opens

CSC Palos Verdes became CSC Dominguez Hills in 1966 and was moved into a temporary location known as the Watt Campus, after its developer Ray Watt, that stood across the street from the future permanent site of the college.

5/1/67

First Graduates

The college held its first commencement on the Watt campus with four graduates in spring 1967.

10/1/68

Permanent Campus Opens

The opening of the permanent campus occurred in October 1968, with a complex of buildings still referred to today as the Small College Complex.

6/13/70

First Commencement on New Campus

Commencement was held on the new CSC Dominguez Hills mall (now called "North Lawn"). 260 students graduate. (with photo of procession through the field)

10/1/73

Natural Sciences and Mathematics Building

Natural Sciences and Mathematics (NSM) building opens with 34 labs, animal rooms, and full greenhouse.

4/1/75

Men's Vollyball Team Claim National Title

The CSUDH Men's volleyball team bring home the first national title in the NAIA championships.

5/1/75

First National Title

CSCDH men’s badminton team wins college’s first national title.

8/1/75

Enrollment Increases as College Grows

Enrollment jumps 18.5%; college becomes fastest growing in the state.

5/21/76

Donald Gerth Named President

CSC Trustees name Dr. Donald R. Gerth new president of CSC Dominguez Hills.

1/1/77

University Status Attained

Upon reaching an enrollment of 6,500 students, 25 percent of whom were graduate students, and with 45 degree programs, the college meets the criteria to become a university.

7/1/77

New Buildings

Humanities and Theatre Arts buildings are completed and opened; observatory is installed on the roof of the Natural Sciences building.

10/24/77

Senator Joseph Biden Speaks on Campus

Sen. Joseph Biden visits campus and speaks to students in the University Theatre.

1/1/79

Toro Gymnasium Opens

The campus gym and swimming pool open.

6/14/80

Andrew Young Delivers Commencement Keynote

Former U.S. ambassador to the U.N. and civil rights leader Andrew Young delivers commencement keynote address.

10/1/80

Death of an Era

Artist Dustin Shuler proclaims “Death of an Era,” symbolized by half-buried Cadillac impaled with a large nail through its body in newly opened Sculpture Garden.

7/1/84

Richard Butwell Named President

CSU Trustees name Dr. Richard Butwell new president of CSU Dominguez Hills.

7/28/84

CSUDH Hosts Cycling for L.A. Summer Olympics

The university was selected to host the cycling portion of the Los Angeles Summer Olympics in 1984 and a large outdoor velodrome was constructed on campus with the support of the Southland Corporation. Approximately 8,500 spectators came out to watch Olympic cycling events in the velodrome; the U.S. cycling team won nine gold medals.

2/1/85

Astronaut Sally Ride Speaks on Campus

In the winter 1985 quarter, Sally Ride, the first female astronaut, speaks on campus.

6/15/85

2,100 Graduates Walk Stage in the Velodrome

2,100 graduates received their diplomas in the 7-Eleven Olympic Velodrome.

2/18/87

John Brownell Named President

CSU Chancellor Ann Reynolds selects Dr. John Brownell as president of CSUDH following the death of President Richard Butwell.

5/4/87

Falkenstein Work Installed in Sculpture Garden

Artist Claire Falkenstein creates “The Forum,” a cedar log sculpture that is installed in the university's Sculpture Garden in memory of campus architect A. Quincy Jones.

2/24/88

Magic Johnson Speaks on Campus

Lakers basketball champion Magic Johnson speaks on campus.

4/1/89

Robert Detweiler Named President

Dr. Robert Detweiler named new president of CSUDH, replacing retiring President John Brownell.

12/1/91

Women's Soccer Claims First Ever NCAA Championship

The 1991 Women's soccer team claims the university's first ever NCAA championship.

9/1/92

Loker Student Union Opens

Funded by a student approved fee increase and a pledge of $500,000 from Katherine B. Loker, the Donald P. and Katherine B. Loker Student Union (LSU), named in honor of the university's long-time supporters, was opened in 1992.

1/1/94

CAMS High School Opens on Campus

The California Academy of Mathematics and Science (CAMS) high school open. CAMS is a public high school which seeks to increase the nation’s pool of graduates in mathematics and science; CAMS students are able to take college-level courses at the university while attending high school.

5/5/94

LaCorte Hall Dedication

LaCorte Hall dedication ceremony honors generosity of John N. and Marion L. LaCorte, whose $750,000 gift was dedicated to "positive values of diversity."

7/1/98

President Detweiler Retires; Herbert Carter Appointed as Interim President

President Detweiler retires from CSUDH. Dr. Herbert Carter begins duties as interim university president.

8/1/98

James Lyons Named President

In March 1999, Dr. James E. Lyons, Sr. is appointed permanent president of CSU Dominguez Hills.

3/1/00

Extended Education Building Opens

The Extended Education building opens and later wins a design award from the American School and University magazine.

12/1/00

Men's Soccer Win NCAA Championship

In a 2-1 four-overtime thriller against Barry University, the Toros claim the NCAA Championship.

10/13/02

James L. Welch Hall Opens

Welch Hall is opened in 2002. Named after long time faculty member Dr. James L. Welch, founder of the Occupational Therapy program and founding member ot the Clinical Sciences department, the building houses classrooms, administration and lecture halls for the university.

6/1/03

StubHub Center Opens

The privately financed $150-million Home Depot Center (now named the StubHub Center) opens, providing the community with a world-class athletics and entertainment venue for soccer, tennis, track and field, and cycle racing. The complex includes a 27,000-seat soccer stadium and 8,000-seat tennis stadium that are also used for concerts and CSUDH commencement ceremonies. The facility kicked off its inaugural season with a premiere track event highlighted by 100-meter gold medalist Maurice Greene. The sports complex soon follows with major events in soccer, tennis, and beach volleyball.

1/25/07

Loker Student Union Reopens After Major Expansion

The Loker Student Union was expanded and extensively remodeled in 2007, featuring the 800-seat Dominguez Ballroom and other expanded amenities.

5/15/07

Mildred García Named President

CSU Board of Trustees appoints Dr. Mildred García as seventh president of Dominguez Hills; she serves as the first Latina president of a CSU campus.

12/7/08

Men's Soccer Claims NCAA Championship Again!

CSUDH Men's Soccer dominates Dowling University, 3-0, in Title Game for the program's second NCAA Championship.

5/1/09

Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis Speaks at Commencement

U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis addresses 1,525 undergraduates at Commencement.

1/1/10

Economic Activity

By 2010, CSU Dominguez Hills generates over $335 million in economic activity annually, sustaining nearly 3,000 jobs in the region and generating more than $20 million per year in state tax revenue.

4/29/10

CSUDH 50th Anniversary; New Library South Wing Opens

On April 29, 2010, on the 50th anniversary of the founding of the university, the Library South wing opens—a new five-story 140,000-square-foot addition that features a state-of-the-art archives and research area, conference rooms, and art gallery.

5/28/11

Women's Track and Field Relay Team Win NCAA National Championship

Cal State Dominguez Hills 4x400 relay team captured the program's first ever NCAA track and field National Championship at Cal State Stanislaus.

7/27/12

Alumna Carmelita Jeter Wins Gold, Silver and Bronze at the 2012 Olympic Games

CSUDH Alumna Carmelita Jeter takes home three medals—bronze, silver and gold—at the 2012 London Summer Olympics for sprinting. Currently she holds three of the top ten fastest times ever run.

5/22/13

Willie Hagan Named President

Dr. Willie Hagan is appointed permanent president of CSU Dominguez Hills after serving as interim president since June 2012, following the departure of Dr. Mildred García.

5/6/14

CSUDH Earns Top Rankings in Media

CSU Dominguez Hills continues to broaden its ethnic and geographic base. The university ranked 33rd among 100 top colleges and universities in the country according to a 2014 Time Magazine ranking that assessed how well institutions serve students—placing the highest importance on graduation rates, tuition and percentage of students receiving Pell Grants.For the third year in a row, the Washington Monthly magazine ranked CSUDH among the top ten in the nation for “contribution to public good.” U.S. News & World Report’s 2013 annual “Best Colleges” ranks CSU Dominguez Hills 12th among the most ethnically diverse universities in the West offering bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

12/15/14

All-Steinway Distinction Bestowed on Campus

With the acquisition of 21 brand new Steinway-designed pianos, CSUDH became the first public four-year university in California to receive designation by Steinway & Sons as an “All-Steinway School.” The title added the university’s name to an exclusive roster of 170 conservatories, colleges and universities throughout the world.

3/27/15

CSUDH Awarded Top National Community Service Honor

CSUDH receives the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll Presidential Award for General Service.