By Brandon Brown
News Editor
Throughout its 51-year history, Cal State Dominguez Hills has been on a mission to increase the higher education opportunities for the surrounding region, and to that end, it’s been a success. This success would not have been possible if it wasn’t for the community’s continuing desire for learning.
It all began in 1960.
To address the needs of the post-war population boom, funds were approved to develop a new university in the South Bay area. The initial plan called for a campus tentatively called South Bay State College in Palos Verdes.
The sweeping cliffs, gorgeous views and pounding waves were then scrapped in favor of a stretch of land in a small ranch community, which would later become the city of Carson.
This change was made in September 1965, after a large public outcry on the heels of the Watts Riots, with hopes to increase higher education opportunities for minority students in nearby urban communities.
When the university first opened, it initially occupied an area across Victoria Boulevard. It wasn’t until October 1968 that the first permanent buildings on the campus officially opened. These new, permanent structures are still standing today and make up what we now call the Small College Complex.
Initial attendance at the small campus was sparse, with only four graduates. Within three years, attendance soared to over 1,000 active students.
Five years later, in October 1973, the Natural Sciences and Math (NSM) Building opened, greatly expanding the efficacy of the university’s math and science programs.
October 2002 welcomed Welch Hall, named after James L. Welch, founder of the Occupational Therapy Program.
The newest building on campus, the south wing of the Leo F. Cain library, opened in 2009, increasing the amount of research facilities and study spaces on campus.
Today, CSUDH is a sprawling campus of 39 buildings and last year, over 3,000 students received their degrees. CSUDH now serves over 14,000 students and continues to provide higher education opportunities to the diverse communities of Los Angeles County.
