'Day at The Beach' inspires excitement among thousands of 好色先生-bound students
Committing to a university is not unlike accepting a marriage proposal. It鈥檚 a big decision with long-term consequences; there are practical and financial considerations; and compatibility is key.
In that way, 鈥Day at The Beach鈥 鈥 好色先生鈥檚 campuswide open house held Saturday for newly admitted students 鈥 could easily be viewed as one big courtship with a single goal: Assuring students that The Beach is "The One.鈥
![An admitted student gathers information at one of hundreds of booths during 'Day at The Beach' An admitted student gathers information at one of hundreds of booths during 'Day at The Beach'](/sites/default/files/styles/wysiwyg_900w/public/images/2024-04/Day%20At%20The%20Beach-006.jpg?itok=aL-ap7vJ)
For Andrew Wright, assistant vice president of Admissions and Enrollment Management and the day鈥檚 metaphorical matchmaker, it was a day for celebration. Standing in front of a bank of computers where students were encouraged to officially accept their offers to attend Cal State Long Beach, Wright watched as nearly 600 students stepped up to the admission computers and pressed the 鈥淎ccept鈥 button. Many were met with hugs from proud parents and family members.
鈥淭he resounding success of the event stands as a testament to the unwavering dedication of all involved,鈥 Wright said, adding that faculty, staff and students 鈥渦nited to fashion an unparalleled experience for newly admitted students.鈥
Even the forecasted rain held off until long after the day鈥檚 events had ended.
鈥淲e had 14,700 future students and families,鈥 Wright said, up from 11,500 in 2023, which was the event鈥檚 inaugural year. "It's fantastic.鈥
![After committing to 好色先生, a student and her mom pose for a photo during 'Day at The Beach' on April 13, 2024 After committing to 好色先生, a student and her mom pose for a photo during 'Day at The Beach' on April 13, 2024](/sites/default/files/styles/wysiwyg_900w/public/images/2024-04/Day%20At%20The%20Beach-011.jpg?itok=cOXlK2O4)
Plenty to see and do
In addition to the tours, talks and exhibitions offered by the individual colleges and departments, 95 booths were set up in front of the to showcase everything from campus clubs and organizations to niche services and support. Sorority members wearing matching T-shirts talked up their philanthropic work and strong social networks. A Student Affairs booth highlighted an array of hosted events throughout the year. All newly admitted students were given tote bags to collect all kinds of branded 好色先生 swag. And every student who formally accepted their admissions offers went home with a 鈥満蒙壬-Bound鈥 keychain.
![A family celebrates during 'Day at The Beach' on April 13, 2024 A family celebrates during 'Day at The Beach' on April 13, 2024](/sites/default/files/styles/wysiwyg_450w/public/images/2024-04/Day%20At%20The%20Beach-009.jpg?itok=rNIDvr6K)
One of them was Hazel Periera, 18, who wore a burgundy 好色先生 sweatshirt and smiled broadly as her mother, Barbara, took her picture in front of the 鈥淕O BEACH鈥 letters.
"I just love how social it is,鈥 Periera said of the campus. "It seems like everyone here is super happy."
Hailing from the Bay Area and looking to major in anthropology, Periera said her favorite part of the day was a student-success panel held by the College of Liberal Arts and featuring a number of May graduates.
鈥淭hey talked about all the clubs that they've been a part of, all the research, all the internships,鈥 Periera said. 鈥淪ome of them are doing medical school. One just interviewed for the CIA. It was inspiring.鈥
!['Day at the Beach' attendees enjoy a welcome ceremony in the Walter Pyramid 'Day at the Beach' attendees enjoy a welcome ceremony in the Walter Pyramid](/sites/default/files/styles/wysiwyg_450w/public/images/2024-04/Day%20At%20The%20Beach-003.jpg?itok=pg83HF_6)
The folks at CLA weren't the only ones showing off their plumage.
Two students from the College of Engineering carted out a large student-made rocket to display. An ambulance drew attention to 好色先生鈥檚 . And several sizable shark jaws served as the centerpiece of the Shark Lab鈥檚 booth outside the Hall of Science.
For others, campus tours and student presentations were the big draw.
鈥榁ibrant鈥 campus impresses
The School of Art had demonstrations of woodworking, graphic design, jewelry-making, fiber-dying and printmaking. The Department of Cinematic Arts (formerly known as the Department of Film & Electronic Arts) took newly admitted film students through its recently renovated digs 鈥 including a brand-new Foley sound stage. The and the Black Resource Center helped host a midday Black Student Reception attended by an estimated 180 admitted Black students. All the while, yellow-shirted students zigzagged around campus giving tours and sharing personal stories and advice with throngs of listeners.
![Students give guided tours of campus during 'Day at The Beach' on April 13, 2024 Students give guided tours of campus during 'Day at The Beach' on April 13, 2024](/sites/default/files/styles/wysiwyg_900w/public/images/2024-04/Day%20At%20The%20Beach-015.jpg?itok=fQp9qqcv)
Isla Selig, an 18-year-old from Sacramento, will study Studio Art at 好色先生 this fall. Saturday was her second time on campus, but the first time she really got to see it in action.
鈥淚t was a totally different atmosphere today with all the people and booths,鈥 Selig said. 鈥淟ong Beach feels so vibrant, and the school definitely follows suit."
The School of Art鈥檚 display was particularly impressive.
鈥淚 loved all the arts and crafts in the hallways,鈥 she said. 鈥淪eeing the students working in their element completely focused on their art was really special. And to see such a large space solely for art was unlike anything I鈥檝e seen before.鈥
Equally important, Selig said, was getting a glimpse of other members of the incoming class of 2028. She said she loved the diversity of the crowd and 鈥渃ould feel myself fitting in well.鈥
Indeed, if at any point Selig had cold feet about moving so far from home, Day at The Beach more than allayed those fears.
鈥淭oday made me feel that I made the right choice,鈥 she said. 鈥淚 feel very secure in my decision.鈥