Celebrating Community

Concert Under the Stars: A Titan Tradition

September 10, 2009

For a quarter-century, Cal State Fullerton has staged Concert Under the Stars to celebrate the importance of community participation in university life. This year, the concert continues the tradition, bringing together campus and community members of all ages in a celebration that recognizes the importance of education and opportunity. What began as one of many events marking the university’s 25th anniversary has grown to be the centerpiece of the back-to-school season, welcoming more than 3,000 to campus for an evening that showcases how Cal State Fullerton is essential to the vitality of the region.

"The Concert Under the Stars, now in its 26th year, is one of our most enjoyable all-university/community events that allows faculty, staff, students, parents, alumni, university support groups and community friends to usher in the fall semester in a festive way for not only the campus community, but the communities we serve and to celebrate that we are all members of the Titan family. Perhaps the best part for everyone is the performance by our talented Theatre and Dance students and alumni. This year’s program, “America Sings! A Celebration of American Music,” is bound to be a crowd-pleaser.”
— CSUF President Milton A. Gordon

"It is a wonderful family friendly event. Every year it seems as if all of Fullerton comes out to spend time together "under the stars" and are rewarded by a wonderful CSUF performance."
— Fullerton Mayor Pro Tem Pam Keller

"Concert has and will always have a special place in my heart. Over three years ago, that night was a chance for me and my fellow President's Scholars to not only enjoy the talent of our fellow Titans, but also meet and greet the donors who so generously funded our scholarships. Now that I have graduated and am a President's Associate myself, the event is even more special because I get to enjoy the night with the young and eager students who I am now, in my own little way, supporting."

— Dianne Ramos (B.A. international business-French '06)
Assistant Vice President
Sr Regional Technology Trainer
Southern California Region
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney

"I enjoy the concert because it gives me a chance to see my colleagues from other departments and colleges. We are such a large institution now, we often don’t see colleagues for months because they are in a different building, or in a different college. Renewing old acquaintances renews me. I also make it a point to host any newly hired faculty. This is an opportunity to show off the best side of CSUF — how talented our students and faculty are. Also, I always make it a point to walk around and introduce the new faculty to those who might be important in their lives in the future: for example, the head of the FDC, or a member of the University Curriculum Committee.”
— William Haddad
Chair and Professor
Department of History
College of Humanities and Social Sciences

"I think the entertainment is always outstanding. I also enjoy the interaction with the accounting alumni with whom we share tables for this event."
— Betty Chavis
Chair and Professor
Department of Accounting
Mihaylo College of Business and Administration

"I am a regular at the Concert because I use it as a good way to host my Advisory Board for the Dan Black Physics/Business Program for a nice social gathering. These folks are largely local business people who help me in an advisory role with ideas about the Dan Black Program. It is a great venue for getting together socially. As far as the event itself is concerned, I enjoy the music, and the fireworks are spectacular!"
— Roger Nanes
Emeritus Professor of Physics
College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

“I love this event because it’s a time to get together. It helps build community. We have so few events that bring the community together. It’s also a great way to reach out to donors and build university support.”
— Kiyo Young
Administrative Assistant
Speech and Hearing Clinic
Human Communication Studies
College of Communications

“This is a wonderful event where town and gown come together to experience terrific performances by students and alumni from the College of the Arts at CSU Fullerton."
— Barry Pasternack
Chair and Professor
Department of Information Systems and Decision Sciences
Mihaylo College of Business and Administration

"This event more than any other, 'links the broader community with the campus' while providing an opportunity to 'strengthen our internal CSUF community.'”
— Robert A. (Ray) Young
Professor of Geography
College of Humanities and Social Sciences