By Runa Lemminn

Features Editor

As the incoming student orientation ended in the Icardo Center, rivers of people wearing gold T-shirts poured out and began traveling purposefully toward different destinations on CSU Bakersfield’s campus.

With smells of food already wafting around them, most people knew it was going to be a fun-filled day at the Celebrate CSUB event.

From tours of student housing and workshops on anything CSU Bakersfield-related, to a fun run and children’s activities, there was something for everyone.

Well over 1,000 people of all ages showed up for the occasion, which was held on Saturday, April 28 in perfect weather.

The day began with a 5K run/walk which started at 8 a.m. in front of the Student Recreation Center, with an eclectic group of around 60 people taking part.

One of them was Bakersfield resident Denise Waterford, who said she came out to show support for CSUB.

“I’m here supporting the campus. My sorority is here on campus as well today, so I’m supporting them,” said Waterford.

One river of people stopped in the middle of the Science III lawn and became a giant sea of gold, facing photographers and videographers who were up high in a cherry picker in order to record a thank you message to outgoing CSUB President Dr. Horace Mitchell.

Meanwhile, over at Runner Park, incoming President Dr. Lynette Zelezny was meeting students, staff and faculty for the first time. Zelezny had a busy day, since she was also a part of the judging panel for the “Bakersfield’s Got Talent” show.

It was a young group of talent that competed this year, and the group that won, with an average age of 11, was called Creation. The group’s performance included very impressive instrumental renditions of Michael Jackson’s song “Beat It,” as well as the Nirvana song “Smells Like Teen Spirit.”  The three incredible kids won $1,000 for their efforts.

The incoming students were kept busy throughout the event with presentations and workshops of their own to go to. Whenever they had a break, they ate and wandered in gold groups along the many booths that were set up in Runner Park.

Mykala Yannorsdall, an incoming senior transfer student from College of the Sequoias, said she had learned a lot, and the CSUB campus was a welcome change from her old one.

“I do like the campus, there’s a lot of trees,” said Yannorsdall.

The campus wasn’t the only thing impressing the students.

John Mitchell, an incoming computer science freshman from L.A. said he was most impressed with how interactive the students and staff were towards the students and incoming transfers.

“I feel a little overwhelmed because when it comes to concerts or events such as these I’m not very used to it,” said Mitchell, adding that he had learned a lot.

While incoming students were learning, their parents were, too. Some parent orientations were held at the Student Union, featuring overviews and demographics of the city of Bakersfield, as well as CSUB itself.

Events were also geared toward the youngest generation of future CSUB students.

One event that seemed to be a smash hit was the Roadrunner Warrior Obstacle Course, held on the Science III lawn.

Richard Ramirez, who’s wife works for CSUB, had heard the event was going on and wanted to give his six and 11-year-old children the experience of having fun on a college campus.

“They’ve never been out (to the campus). Especially my daughter, I wanted her to get inspired, and as soon as she saw the campus she got excited and said ‘I can’t wait until I get to come here,’” Ramirez said.

The fun for the youngest generation of future Runners didn’t end at the Science III lawn.

Some of the booths were geared toward kids, with mini science projects such as making silly putty, an example of a polymer, encouraging eager hands-on participation.

“I think its good at an early age to get them excited about (college), and not to just talk about it, but to let them see, and do,” said Ramirez. “It is school, but it’s so much more than just classroom stuff.”

For all the participants and visitors of the Celebrate CSUB event, it was definitely more than just classroom stuff.

Photo by Ana Canales/ The Runner

Celebrate CSUB showcased many of CSUB’s clubs and organizations it has to offer students.
Here, Political Science major and junior transfer student, Maria Contreras stops in at the Helen
Hawk Honors Program table on Saturday, April 28, 2018.