Today, the international entertainment giant and the comprehensive regional university with a global outlook continue to share mutual interests, none the least of which is the Titan "cast member" experience at the Happiest Place on Earth.

Cal State Fullerton featured Walt Disney Co. chairman and CEO Michael Eisner in 1997 as the annual gala's keynote speaker. Jack Lindquist, retired president of Disneyland, was named an honorary CSUF alumnus in 1999, and alumnus Bill Ross '75 (B.S. physical education) and '80 (M.S. physical education), former senior vice president of industry relations for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, has served on several university boards. The university's Entertainment and Tourism Center counts Disneyland Resort as one of its prominent founding members. And Disneyland is one of the key annual sponsors of the College of Business & Economics' Deans Golf Tournament. Disneyland is a gold sponsor of one of Fullerton's premiere events, Front & Center.

It is fitting that Disneyland give back to the university that provides some of the park's top employees. "Cal State Disneyland" is the moniker often associated with Fullerton, thanks to the many students who work at the Magic Kingdom while pursuing their degrees. Though there are no official numbers, hundreds, perhaps thousands, of workers through the decades have called both CSUF and Disneyland their second and third home.

As a job — while pursuing a degree — it is hard to beat. Students can attend classes Monday through Friday and work at Disneyland on weekends. The availability of thousands of collegians during summers and other major holidays coincide with the theme park's need for additional personnel to fill expanded hours of operation.

"The Disneyland Resort has regularly recruited from Cal State Fullerton over the years, hiring students for both seasonal and part-time positions," says Nancy Schellhase, manager, recruitment programs, Disneyland Resort. "Some students have chosen to work brief periods during school breaks, while others have worked throughout the year as the part-time scheduling requirements conformed to their class schedules."

Perhaps the biggest perk is the chance to work for one of the world's premier entertainment companies alongside a variety of people the same age from all over. Many made, and continue to make lifelong friends, in addition to meeting their spouses and mates, and learning those famous "people skills" that serve them well outside the park.