Fall Meeting at El Dorado a Success

The fall meeting of the Emeriti was held on the canopy-covered tennis court at the President Gordon’s home on Tuesday, October 8. The president delivered a stimulating “State of the University” address and fielded many questions from the audience of approximately 32 members. Then we were treated to an outstanding musical program presented by the director/conductor of our university symphony orchestra, Kimo Furumoto, as he accompanied his wife Linda Furumoto, who sang a group of selections from many of Broadway’s best musicals. [Pictured: Kimo Furumoto with Jim Young]

We missed many of you but of course, realize it isn’t easy to ‘be everywhere at all times.´ As the year goes along, I hope to hear from you whether it be by phone, snail mail or email. We need your ideas and suggestions about the future of our organization. As I said in my first letter, our Emeriti Association is really quite new as such organizations go. In places such as USC and UCLA who have long histories, the Emeriti continue to have a strong presence and influence in the various colleges.

I envision the future at CSUF to include in perpetuity the fact that our having been there made a difference. Our book sales program is an outstanding one. Our scholarship program must continue to grow. I see the possibility of additional programs such as either funding an outstanding lecture series or giving support to an existing one on campus. I see our office space a place to entertain distinguished visitors to the campus. I see our showcase used as a vehicle to make the campus community aware of the history of the University through displays that may be changing every quarter or so.

All this, and other activities, are places where we can focus additional contributions to the campus life through the It’s Our University Campaign that originated with the Emeriti.

James D. “Jim” Young
President, 2002-03

Emmett “Shorty” Long Named Volunteer of the Year

Past President Emmett Long was named the Emeriti’s Volunteer of the Year for 2002. The honor was bestowed at the annual Evening under the Stars Concert in September. The citation reads:

"Emmett T. Long has been an active member of the Emeriti organization for the past 16 years, ever since his retirement from the Speech Communication Department. In 2000 he responded to a call to serve a second time as president. His efforts were especially appreciated as he was teaching a course each semester while serving as president. In this role, he was responsible for overseeing all Emeriti programs."

In other news, Emmett has reported that he finished his interim assignment as executive director for the California State University Emeritus and Retired Faculty Association. He had taken on that responsibility during the period that Executive Director Robert Kully recovered from an illness.