In late October, President Tomás D. Morales visited San Diego for the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) conference, along with a group of CSUSB’s brightest students. The annual national conference provides an exceptional opportunity for students as they get to network with more than 500 students from colleges and universities across the country as well as hundreds of potential employers.
In preparation for the HACU conference, CSUSB’s Career Center held a two-day preconference in mid-September for about 40 students to engage in professional development workshops. President Morales attended the preconference to speak and encourage students to leverage their participation at the HACU event, telling them the national conference is a life-changing and unforgettable experience.
President Morales met with Dr. W. Benson Harer, a longtime supporter of CSUSB and the university’s Robert and Frances Fullerton Museum of Art (RAFFMA), to establish the W. Benson Harer Egyptology Scholar in Residence. Harer has pledged $900,000 to launch a visiting faculty position on campus that will focus on the teaching of Egyptology and early Egyptian art history.
“We are so fortunate to have Ben Harer as a friend and supporter of CSUSB,” said President Morales. “Ben’s caring, dedication and generosity will bring thoughtful and insightful knowledge and appreciation of ancient Egypt to our students, the campus community and our region.”
The W. Benson Harer Egyptology Scholar in Residence will bring to the university community one of the world’s preeminent experts in this field, serving as a part-time (single quarter) visiting faculty position in the history department of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. The Harer scholar will teach one course in the history or art department, serve as a guest lecturer to those courses that would benefit from the experience and scholarship of a preeminent Egyptologist, and be the keynote speaker/presenter at a special community-based event.
In 2014, Dr. Harer, who was once an adjunct professor of Egyptian art at CSUSB, and his late wife, Pamela, created the Pamela and Dr. Benson Harer Fellowship specializing in Egyptology, CSUSB’s first-ever fully endowed faculty fellowship. Dr. Harer also holds the distinction of receiving the first honorary doctorate ever bestowed by CSUSB in 2001.
President Morales was among eight education leaders who were recipients of the 2017 Legacy of Exemplary Service Awards given by the Librería Del Pueblo for their public service to the community.
Morales, now in his fifth year in leading the university, and the other recipients were recognized for their accomplishments in education and for being individuals who have helped others lead better, more meaningful lives.
The recipients were presented their awards on Sept. 22 at the National Orange Show in San Bernardino.
In mid-November, President Morales welcomed a delegation of 25 university officials from China to Cal State San Bernardino for a professional development day, where they met with campus leaders, faculty and students. The program was coordinated by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) and the China Center for International Educational Exchange (CCIEE), an affiliate of China’s Ministry of Education. The campus program was coordinated by CSUSB’s College of Extended Learning.
President Morales and President Alfonso Lopez Diaz of the Pedagogical and Technological University of Colombia signed a memorandum of understanding created to boost joint areas of interest that include student exchange programs, teacher exchange programs and research studies. The MOU also includes the exchange of information of programs and teaching methods.
