In 1967, the first graduating class of Cal State San Bernardino walked across the stage. Among 59 graduates, only four of them were black students. Those four graduates will be honored by the Black Faculty, Staff, and Student Association at the 4th Annual Pioneer breakfast on Friday, Feb. 26.

The event will take place in the Santos Manuel Student Union events center from 9-11 a.m.; doors open at 8 a.m. Tickets for the breakfast are $20, and may be purchased from BFSSA Pioneer Chair, Anthony Roberson.

To reserve a table, purchase tickets, or sponsor a student attendee, contact Roberson at aroberso@csusb.edu or (909) 537-7198.

“I had an idea for a special recognition. After a lot of research I discovered the first four black graduates in a yearbook at the CSUSB Pfau Library,” said Anthony Roberson. “I took this idea back to the committee and said it would be awesome to honor them, especially since we are celebrating CSUSB’s 50th anniversary.”

This year’s honorees include:

  • The first four black CSUSB graduates: Lois Carson, John Henry McCoy (posthumously), Mary Jane McCoy, and Joyce (Gates) Payne;
  • Jenise Bush, alumna (B.A. 1995; M.A. 2000), assistant principal of Dunn Elementary School, Rialto;
  • John Futch, alumnus (B.A. 1995; M.A. 2001), former director of the SMSU Cross Cultural Center;
  • Linvol Henry, professor emeritus, CSUSB’s accounting department in the College of Business and Public Administration;
  • Taft Newman (posthumously), director of Educational Opportunity Program;
  • Nadine Chavez, retired director of the Educational Opportunity Program, will receive the Lorraine Frost Award, given to allies in education.

The event theme for this year is “The Shoulders Upon Which We Stand,” which also serves as the theme for the Annual Essay Competition. Open to all CSUSB students, the competition gives students the opportunity to express themselves, enhance writing skills, and learn from history. The winner will be announced at the breakfast and receive a $250 scholarship.

“The true purpose of this event is to give all our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community a history lesson of the wonderful pioneers that made a huge contribution at CSUSB,” said Roberson. “I am truly proud to be standing on the shoulders of our past pioneers.”

The Pioneer breakfast serves as a fundraiser for four current scholarships—Dr. J. Milton Clark Overcomers; Dr. Mildred Henry; Terrylin Monette; and John Overton. This year, the Belva Holder scholarship has been added, benefitting current students at CSUSB. Proceeds will also support the annual African American Graduation recognition ceremony.

For more information regarding the Pioneer Breakfast, contact Anthony Roberson at (909) 537-7198, or by email at aroberso@csusb.edu

Set in the foothills of the beautiful San Bernardino Mountains, CSUSB is a preeminent center of intellectual and cultural activity in inland Southern California. Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2015-2016, CSUSB serves more than 20,000 students each year and graduates about 4,000 students annually.

For more information on Cal State San Bernardino, contact the university’s Office of Strategic Communication at (909) 537-5007 and visit http://news.csusb.edu.