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Cal State Long Beach’s 75th anniversary celebrations are set to begin with an amplified festival for the entire campus, plus The Beach’s friends and neighbors.

The 75th Anniversary Kickoff Concert is set to take place on Sept. 28, 75 years to the day after The Beach, initially known as Los Angeles-Orange County State College, convened its first classes. The concert bill features three bands with Beach-connected members, as well as other activities promising to enliven a family-friendly gathering for those who want to reminisce or enjoy an early fall day. 

“We wanted to make this a fun, festive day with a concert in the park kind of feel,” said Noemi Guevara, director of alumni engagement.

75 years of accomplishment

The Beach’s status as a major research campus is far removed from the campus’ earliest days. A Long Beach Press-Telegram reader who picked up the newspaper on the Monday before the campus’ opening may have found a small article, “Registrations Open at New State College,” only if they had read past news of Soviet bombs, domestic labor strife and Pacific Coast League baseball.

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The innumerable contributions from people who over subsequent years made The Beach a big part of their lives – students, alumni, faculty, staff, philanthropists and community partners – have enabled 75 years of growth and innovation.

Cal State Long Beach today occupies 322 acres, enrolling some 38,000 students and employing about 3,600-plus people. The campus’ most recent fundraising campaign, No Barriers, attracted more than $313 million worth of support.

And now, it’s time to celebrate.

“Our beginnings may have been modest, but over the last 75 years Cal State Long Beach has grown in size, reach and reputation,” President Jane Close Conoley said. “Our commitment to social mobility has opened doors for countless students, transforming lives and communities.”

“Today, ��ɫ���� stands tall as an institution renowned for its exceptional faculty, groundbreaking research and unparalleled dedication to student success,” Conoley continued. “With a diverse student body and an alumni family of over 400,000, The Beach's impact is immeasurable. As we celebrate this momentous anniversary, we look forward to the next 75 years of innovation, leadership, and service."

Beach sounds

(tiburón is Spanish for Shark) features student musicians and welcomes newcomers who are interested in mariachi music and Mexican culture, whether or not they have prior musical experience.

“I always love seeing the other musicians enjoy it and have the same love for the music as I do,” said violinist Ariana Hernandez.

The group has about 15 core members and most, like Hernandez, are not music majors. She is a fourth-year chemical engineering student who traces her appreciation of the genre to the times when she would awaken to hear her mother already listening to mariachi.

"It’s just about coming together for us, and playing the music that we love,” Hernandez said. “It does hold a special place in our hearts.”

Faculty representation will be handled by the aptly named , featuring College of Health and Human Services Dean Monica Lounsbery on lead vocals. The band also includes professor of criminology Robert Schug on guitar and former psychology professor Collie Conoley on bass.

“People find a whole other layer of relatability to us,” Lounsbery said. “I’ve had faculty, staff and students say to me, ‘You’re so approachable.’ Yeah, I’m actually a person.”

Higher Ed's eclectic repertoire includes covers spanning several eras and subgenres of rock music, as well as original compositions.

“It’s so exciting to hear people request a song that you’ve written,” Lounsbery said.

Members of the third band, , include guitarist Travis Goertz ‘93, a digital media designer with the College of Continuing and Professional Education who has racked up about 25 years’ service with The Beach, and drummer Rick Campos ‘23.

“I've been at ��ɫ���� forever, and it'll be exciting to play the 75th kickoff event,” Goertz said.

Knyght Ryder’s name may give away the band’s origins as cover outfit focused on sounds from the Sony Walkman era. Now, the group draws from a broader range of sounds with the goal of surprising listeners with a set list that can jump from metal to pop, or from hip-hop to country.

“We started out as a strictly 80s band, but we've evolved and added some newer stuff over time and really enjoy surprising people with the range of genres,” Goertz said.

The Kickoff Concert is also scheduled to include alumni meetups, a display of campus memorabilia, food trucks and a Kid Zone for the younger set that may include future Beach students. For the 21 and older crowd, a beer garden will provide opportunities to socialize with a cold brew in hand.

“We want all of Long Beach to come and celebrate this milestone,” Guevara said.

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Additional events commemorating Cal State Long Beach’s 75th anniversary are scheduled to take place through Commencement. For more information, please keep an eye on the anniversary webpage.