Valley State Era Alumni Enjoy Annual Founders Day Event

  • Alumni Visiting Fifty and Fabulous Exhibit in the Delmar T. Oviatt Library

    Founders Day attendees peruse the “Fifty and Fabulous” exhibit in the Delmar T. Oviatt Library, reminiscing about their days at San Fernando Valley State College. The event, which was held on Sept. 21 at California State University, Northridge, brings together alumni, faculty and staff in an annual homecoming for those with ties to CSUN and its early days as San Fernando Valley State College. Photo by John DuBois.

  • Alumni Stroll Along Cleary Walk

    Alumni stroll along Cleary Walk, taking note of the changes since their days on campus at then San Fernando Valley State College. Photo by John DuBois.

  • CSUN President Dianne F. Harrison Offers Remarks at the luncheon

    CSUN President Dianne F. Harrison offers her remarks at the luncheon. Photo by John DuBois.

  • Alumni touring the Valley Performing Arts Center

    Sally Adelblue, director of audience services at CSUN’s Valley Performing Arts Center, gives attendees a tour of the state-of-the-art VPAC, which was completed in 2011. Photo by John DuBois.

  • Nazar Ashjian ’62 (Business and Economics), Founders Day co-chair; CSUN President Dianne F. Harrison; Dennis DeYoung, president of the Alumni Association; and emeritus professor Albert R. Baca, Founders Day co-chair

    Founders Day honors the formative years of CSUN that led to it becoming a nationally acclaimed university. From left: Nazar Ashjian ’62 (Business and Economics), Founders Day co-chair; CSUN President Dianne F. Harrison; Dennis DeYoung, president of the Alumni Association; and emeritus professor Albert R. Baca, Founders Day co-chair. Photo by John DuBois.

  • Fifty-four individuals who either graduated or worked at San Fernando Valley State College between 1958 and 1961 who were inducted into the 50-Year Club.

    The highlight of Founders Day is the induction of CSUN alumni, faculty and staff into the 50-Year Club. Fifty-four individuals who either graduated or worked at San Fernando Valley State College between 1958 and 1961 were inducted into this prestigious club on Sept. 21. Photo by John DuBois.

For Nazar Ashjian ’62 (Business and Economics), it was San Fernando Valley State College’s small classes that made the campus so appealing. He had graduated from Pierce College and then enrolled at UCLA, but he thought the West Los Angeles campus was too big.

“(At San Fernando Valley State College) I had one-on-one time with the professors,” recalled Ashjian, alumni co-chair of this year’s Founders Day. “I got a great education that has given me a rewarding career.”

The 73-year-old San Fernando Valley resident said he made lifelong friends at “Valley State.” Upon graduation, he was drafted and served in the Army for two years. He worked as an accountant and later opened his own company and became a real estate broker.

“I’ve had a good life,” he said.

Ashjian’s warm recollections were echoed by many of the nearly 300 alumni, faculty, staff and friends who attended Founders Day at California State University, Northridge on Sept. 21. The day included a luncheon with remarks by President Dianne F. Harrison and greetings from Alumni Association President Dennis DeYoung ’84 (Business).

Attendees also were invited to participate in college receptions and tours of various facilities, including the Delmar T. Oviatt Library, the Valley Performing Arts Center and the Student Recreation Center. However, the highlight of the event was the induction of 54 alumni, faculty and staff who either earned their degrees or worked at the university between 1958 and 1962, into the 50-Year Club. Ashjian and Founders Day faculty co-chair Al Baca, an emeritus professor who taught in the Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literature, were among the inductees.

President Harrison said she felt “humbled” and a “special sense of responsibility” to the faculty, staff and students who laid the foundation of the university.

“You have helped to write the history of this great university, laying a solid foundation that has ensured an exceedingly bright future for Cal State Northridge,” Harrison said. She said while the campus has changed over the years, CSUN continues to “shine” through its acclaimed academic programs, outstanding faculty, high-achieving students and successful alumni.

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