It helps to have influential friends. Cal State Fullerton’s circle of supporters includes a quartet of alumni who hold elective office on the state and federal levels. Rep. Ed Royce and state Sen. Ross Johnson are Republicans, while O’Connell and Assemblyman Lou Correa are Democrats. Taken together, the four men might be considered an informal bipartisan Titan caucus.

In the November 2002 election, O’Connell recorded a landslide victory in the race for California Superintendent of Public Instruction, becoming the first Titan alumnus to achieve statewide office. Rep. Royce, class of ’77, has represented much of north Orange County in Congress since 1992 and previously served a decade in the state Senate. Johnson, class of ’68, claims the distinction as the first person in California history to serve as a party leader in both houses of the state legislature. Now in his 25th year in elective office, Johnson was first elected to the Assembly in 1978 and won election to the Senate in 1995. The most recent Titan alumnus to ascend to the state Capitol is Correa, class of ’80. Since 1998 Correa has represented a district that includes Santa Ana, much of Anaheim and Orange—what he likes to describe as “the heart of Orange County.”

Although their ideologies diverge on many issues, all agree that their personal experience has given them a common appreciation for the role of state universities such as Fullerton in shaping California’s society and economy.

That role is becoming more important as time goes on, say university officials. “I am proud of the strong relationship we have with our state and federal officials, particularly those who call Cal State Fullerton their alma mater,” said Judith Anderson, executive vice president, who has worked personally and through her staff with many elected officials at the local, regional, state and national levels. “Their role in developing public policy ad in allocating resources is vital not only for our campus, but for all of California.”

Occasionally these elected leaders find themselves in a position to offer behind-the-scenes help to their alma mater. Royce, for example, was vital in lobbying the Navy to ensure that part of the old El Toro Marine Air Station would serve as the university’s South County campus. Johnson was instrumental in arranging funding for the university’s telecommunications infrastructure upgrade. Correa, too, played a key role in the El Toro campus saga.

“These guys have been very supportive,” Holmes says. “They have been true to the school. On the whole, anything that has come up legislatively, if they have any control, they have been in the column of Cal State Fullerton.”

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