CSU Channel Islands Timeline
A Century in the Making. A Decade of Distinction.
1911:
- Nancy Ann Donohoo Taylor (Taylor Ranch) stipulates in her will that one-third of her assets be used to found a university in Ventura County, which her children successfully contest.
1965:
- State Senator Robert J. Lagomarsino and Assemblyman Burt Hansen co-author Senate Bill 288, calling for establishment of a four-year college in Ventura County.
- Governor Pat Brown authorizes a site study.
Photo: Robert J. Lagomarsino Archives
1996:
- J. Handel Evans is appointed Planning President to assist in the development of a campus.
- The University is named “California State University Channel Islands” by a panel of community leaders.
1997:
- CSU’s Board of Trustees votes unanimously to accept the former Camarillo State Hospital as the location for CSU Channel Islands.
Photo: CSH Archives
1999:
- The CSU Board of Trustees approves a resolution establishing CSU Channel Islands as the CSU system’s newest comprehensive university.
- “Dolphins” are adopted as the mascot.
- The first campus renovation project of the landmark Bell Tower is completed.
- John Spoor Broome donates $5 million for a new Library.
2000:
- Martin V. “Bud” Smith establishes a $5 million endowment to CI for business-related studies.
- Governor Gray Davis approves a $10 million state budget allocation, enabling the hiring of the initial planning faculty
2001:
- The CSU Board of Trustees appoints Richard R. Rush to succeed J. Handel Evans.
- The first 13 faculty members arrive.
2002:
- Richard R. Rush is inaugurated in the spring as CI’s Founding President.
- CI welcomes its first class of approximately 500 transfer students in the fall.
- Robert & Norma Lagomarsino announce a $1 million pledge to the Library archives.
2003:
- CI graduates its first class, with three transfer students honored as the first graduates.
2004:
- The first on-campus student housing, Anacapa Village, opens for 450 students.
2006:
- The Martin V. & Martha K. Smith Foundation donates $3 million, enabling the creation of the Martin V. Smith Center for Integrative Decision-Making and additional funding of academic programs within the Martin V. Smith School of Business & Economics.
Photo: Michael Urbanek/ArchitecturalShots.com
2007:
- CI receives initial accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
2008:
- The John Spoor Broome Library opens in the spring.
2010:
- CI is designated a Hispanic Serving Institution by the U.S. Department of Education for having a student enrollment that is more than 25 percent Hispanic. The designation enables the University to compete for federal Title V funding and additional financial support.
- The Chronicle of Higher Education names CI a “Great College to Work For.”
- CI’s first nursing class graduates.
- Launch of the Henry L. “Hank” Lacayo Institute for Workforce & Community Studies.
2011:
- The Institute for Global Economic Research is launched, offering globally renowned economic forecasting and research opportunities for students with top U.S. economist Dr. Sung Won Sohn.
2012:
- CI is named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for a third consecutive year.
- CI and Cottage Health System open a nursing program in Goleta.
- CI expands several degree programs to the Santa Barbara City College campus.
- For a third consecutive year, CI is named a “Great College to Work For.”
- A new four-lane University Drive paves the way for future growth.
For CI's detailed historical timeline, visit http://www.csuci.edu/about/timeline.htm