Cal State San Bernardino marked a significant milestone as the College of Natural Sciences celebrated the 50th anniversary of its Department of Health Science and Human Ecology. CSUSB students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members attended the event to reflect on the department’s legacy and ongoing commitment to excellence in education, research and community service.

A highlight of the event was a virtual address by Amer El-Ahraf, founding chair of the department, who joined via Zoom to share the history and inspiration behind its creation. El-Ahraf, a renowned figure in public and environmental health, shared how the department was established with its first cohort in 1974 and emphasized the critical role it has played in shaping future health professionals.

During his tenure at the San Bernardino campus, El-Ahraf served as the associate vice president for academic resources and interim vice president for academic affairs before transitioning to Cal State Dominguez Hills, where he took on the role of executive vice president and became a professor emeritus and vice president emeritus.

El-Ahraf’s leadership at CSUSB laid a strong foundation that continues to guide the Department of Health Science and Human Ecology’s growth today.

“In 1973, Cal State San Bernardino was a young campus led by founding President Dr. John Pfau, who came with a University of Chicago model, where students were required to conduct research with each course and to write a thesis upon graduation,” said El-Ahraf. “That kind of progressive thinking attracted another academician with similar ideas of practical uniqueness.

“When I was the co-founding coordinator of Environmental Quality and Health at UC Irvine, I believed that public health programs in new campuses should be distinctive and built on a philosophy of ‘human ecology,’ which is the milieu of the field. That is which truly represents the physical and social settings where public health is practiced, and as it occurs and develops within its environment. And the human environment where public health is practiced is human ecology. Also, I believed in the nature of public health as teamwork.”

He added, "I came to San Bernardino not only to build a new department, but also to build a new model of a School of Public Health. Thanks to the leadership of the current chair, Dr. Terezie Tolar-Peterson, as well as my current and previous colleagues, this vision is on its way to realization because of their hard work and continued innovation."

Sastry G. Pantula, dean for the College of Natural Sciences, discussed the significant impact El-Ahraf has had in the health and human ecology department.

“Dr. Amer El-Ahraf’s vision and leadership have had a lasting impact on our department, and it is because of pioneers like him and the dedication of our faculty, staff, students and alumni that we have become a leader in health and human ecology education,” said Pantula. “We are excited to build on this strong foundation for the future."

The event also featured several speakers, including the college’s leadership and faculty, who praised the department's achievements over the past five decades. They highlighted the department’s commitment to academic rigor, its impact on the health and well-being of diverse communities, and its role in preparing students for careers in public health, nutrition and dietetics, environmental health science and health services administration.

The department has grown considerably since its founding, expanding both its academic programs and research initiatives to address pressing health and ecological issues. Today, the department remains dedicated to offering students an outstanding education in health sciences, public health, environmental health science, and nutrition while fostering a spirit of community involvement and leadership.

“In the past 50 years, the Department of Health Science and Human Ecology has become a leader in the health disciplines,” said Tolar-Peterson, department chair. “Graduates from our programs are driving efforts to advance health equity and making meaningful impacts in the Inland Empire and beyond. Their work continues to shape a more just, equitable, and healthier society, and I am eager to see the positive changes our alumni will bring about in the next 50 years.”

The Department of Health Science and Human Ecology has 3,980 alumni, including 3,448 undergraduates and 550 graduate students, with some alumni having earned both undergraduate and graduate degrees at CSUSB. The department offers degrees in environmental health science, nutrition science and dietetics, health services administration, and public health.

The 50th anniversary celebration was a testament to the department's enduring legacy and bright future. Attendees expressed enthusiasm for the department’s continued evolution, with a focus on expanding programs and partnerships that support the university’s mission of improving health outcomes and fostering environmental sustainability.

For information and to learn about upcoming initiatives, visit the Department of Health Science and Human Ecology website.