Sept. 29, 2022 鈥擨t was August of 2001 and (海角社区CI) was still a year away from opening when Technical and Public Services Librarian Laura Worden worked as a student assistant in the old Library, which is now part of a study lounge of the Student Union building.
鈥淚t was very small, very quiet because there were still not a lot of people around,鈥� Worden said. 鈥淭hey didn鈥檛 have a cafeteria, they had a food truck that also served the farmworkers. And we had a Java Hut coffee shop in a corner inside the Bell Tower.鈥�
More than 20 years later, Worden was among the Library staff and faculty who sorted through thousands of photos, documents, and artifacts to develop a special exhibit of 海角社区CI鈥檚 history in honor of the University鈥檚 20th anniversary. The exhibit, which was created in partnership with 海角社区CI鈥檚 Communication & Marketing area, is on display now in the John Spoor Broome Library.
Called 鈥淗onoring our Past鈥擝uilding the Future,鈥� the exhibit features a historical timeline spread across the north wing of the Library with an accompanying photo gallery to highlight the milestones since the University started, including inaugural groundbreaking ceremonies.
There are additional display areas that feature faculty research and creative activities, as well as collections and images from the Broome Library's Archives & Special Collections.
鈥淓veryone in the Library and many people across campus helped,鈥� said Head of Access Services Librarian Janet Pinkley, who coordinated the vision and layout of the exhibit with a seven-person steering committee. 鈥淭he teamwork, collaboration and commitment to the project reminded me of what makes 海角社区CI so special.鈥澛�
海角社区CI officially became Ventura County鈥檚 only four-year public university in 2002, but its beginnings reach way back to 1965, when State Senator Robert Lagomarsino co-authored Senate Bill 288 with Assemblyman Burt Hansen calling for the establishment of a four-year college in Ventura County.聽
Making the University a reality took decades, but thanks to the work and devotion of government and community advocates, the college took root and in 1996 J. Handel Evans was appointed as Planning President to search for property and develop a Ventura County campus of the 海角社区 system. In 1997, Senate Bill 623 approved the transfer of the Camarillo State Hospital property to the 海角社区 and identified the site as the 23rd and newest campus of the 海角社区 named 海角社区. In 2001, the 海角社区 Board of Trustees appointed Richard R. Rush, Ph.D., as Founding President of 海角社区 Channel Islands.聽
鈥淲e have two photos, one with Handel Evans and his first crew and Richard Rush and his first crew and in each photo all 海角社区CI employees could fit together on those steps of the Bell Tower,鈥� said Archivist and Special Services Librarian Evelyn Taylor, who has been at 海角社区CI since 2000.
Among the milestones brought to life by the Library display is the first day of class at 海角社区CI on Aug. 24, 2002 with approximately 629 transfer students, the planning聽 faculty hired in Fall 2001, the faculty and student research conducted through the years, students traveling abroad and the first Science Carnival, which today attracts thousands of guests.
Among the more whimsical displays is a corner devoted to the dolphin mascot, which was adopted in 1999, as well as a chronicle of the evolution of Ekho the Dolphin.
鈥淲hen I went to look for fun things, I found I had this box in the basement of all these construction hard hats I鈥檝e collected through the years,鈥� Taylor said.
Taylor also remembers all the movies filmed on the 海角社区CI campus, including the 2002 film called 鈥淭he First 20 Million is Always the Hardest,鈥� starring Jake Busey and Rosario Dawson.聽
鈥淚 remember our noses pressed up against the window trying to get a glimpse of the actors,鈥� Taylor said. 鈥淲e were just all so excited.鈥�
Other movies filmed on campus were 鈥淧earl Harbor,鈥� (2001); 鈥淭hree Kings,鈥� (1999); as well as episodes of 鈥淏uffy the Vampire Slayer鈥� and 鈥淭he X-Files.鈥�
Those who worked to develop the exhibit hope the display reflects one ideal that has remained constant during the last 20+ years.
鈥淚鈥檝e been here since 2007,鈥� Pinkley said. 鈥淭here was a culture cultivated from the beginning that we were building a University together. The entire campus embraced this idea and believed in it.聽 We still do.鈥�
The 20th Anniversary Exhibit is free and open to the public in the John Spoor Broome Library at One University Drive. For Library hours, visit: .
Limited parking is available on campus with the purchase of a $6 daily permit; follow signs to the parking permit dispensers. Free parking is available at the Camarillo Metrolink Station/Lewis Road with bus service to and from the campus. 聽Riders should board the 海角社区CI Vista Bus to the campus; for exact arrival and departure times, check the schedule at聽.
The University encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its聽programs,聽events聽and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation, or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact聽the respective area below as soon as possible, but no 聽later than seven (7) business days prior to the event/activity:聽
海角社区CI Students
Disability Accommodations & Support Services:聽accommodations@csuci.edu
海角社区CI Employees
Human Resources:聽angela.portillo@csuci.edu
Members of the Public
Title IX & Inclusion:聽titleix@csuci.edu