Founding faculty will discuss how CSUMB has evolved

Several founding faculty members will be on hand March 11 to revisit the origin story of Cal State Monterey Bay and how that initial vision is still playing out today. The free event is being co-sponsored by El Centro and La Colectiva and will be held from 5 - 7 p.m. in the west lounge of Building 12. A reception with food and drinks begins at 4:30 p.m.

Playwright and screenwriter Luis Valdez will be joined by feminist Rina Benmayor and artist Amalia Mesa-Bains to talk about how they, and their founding colleagues, envisioned CSUMB in its first years. 

Valdez, best known for his play “Zoot Suit,” his movie “La Bamba” and his creation of El Teatro Campesino, will participate in the event via Zoom. Mesa-Bains and Benmayor are expected to attend in person.  

El Centro co-director and assistant professor Suzanne Garcia said the event is a way to take stock of the university’s journey. 

“This is meant to tell the story of CSUMB,” Garcia said. “I don’t know how aware students are of the original vision. People forget how things evolved.”

While El Centro serves as a resource for the entire campus, Garcia said it’s focus is on Latine student success. She’s interested to hear what the panel will have to say regarding the role of Hispanic Serving Institutions, of which CSUMB is one. 

It should be a unique conversation, she said.