Thanks & Recognition: Celebrating Generosity: The Levy Family's Enduring Commitment to Education

In the bustling heart of California's San Fernando Valley, amid the vibrant tapestry of culture and community, lies a home deeply entrenched in the spirit of giving back. Israel Levy and Nadine Soo Hoo Levy, pillars of the San Fernando Valley, have long championed the cause of education, nurturing a legacy of learning that spans generations.

Thanks & Recognition: Jannette and Cameron Carothers for the Baldwin-Shaffner Archives

The Baldwin-Shaffner Collection contains archival materials that document parts of the Baldwin, Sackett, Bishop, and Bacon families' stories as they made their way west from Ohio and Colorado to settle in Los Angeles in the 1890s. The family of Earl and Jennette Shaffner and their children Maybelle (Bishop), Rosalia (Bacon), and George are especially well-represented. Processing Archivist Claire Gordon is currently arranging, preserving, and describing the collection. As part of this, she's creating a finding aid, or guide to the collection, that will be available and searchable online. Once processing is complete, the collection will be available for anyone to use in person in the Special Collections & Archives reading room.

Thanks & Recognition: Library Student Employee Scholarship Donor Appreciation

The University Library was honored and overjoyed to present thirty awards to distinguished student employees at the 8th Annual University Library Student Employee Scholarship Reception in March 2023. As one of the largest employers of student assistants on campus, the Library takes great pride in fostering valuable student work experience and creating a supportive learning environment. One of the exciting benefits students love about working here is the opportunity to earn a scholarship – and sometimes, more than one!

Thanks & Recognition: CSUN Library to Benefit from the Support of Everyday Donors Making Extraordinary Contributions

The California State University, Northridge (CSUN) University Library has long been a central part of the campus, helping students, faculty, and the wider community access resources that inspire learning and discovery. Three dedicated donors, all everyday individuals, have made transformative contributions that will greatly enhance the library’s offerings for years to come.

Thanks & Recognition - In Memoriam: Dr. Harry Stone

The University Library is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Dr. Harry Stone, a dear friend and supporter. As a revered Victorian literature expert, Dr. Harry Stone taught at the CSUN Department of English for 32 years from 1960 to 1992.

Dr. Stone died on December 17, 2021 at the age of 95. He is survived by his daughter Ann Melanie Stone, son Jonathan Bernard Stone, daughter-in-law Nancy Warwick, grandson Zachary Stone, and long-time partner, Dr. Pamela Krochalk. 

In Memoriam: David Trutt

Last December David Trutt passed away unexpectedly. David’s son, Michael, is a graduate of CSUN, and David was considered an honorary Matador, thanks to his dedication to the University.

David had a lifelong passion for Gilbert & Sullivan, prompting his gift to the University Library of the Gilbert & Sullivan Collection. David and his wife, Sandra, also donated the two exhibit cases bearing the ceramic figurines along with annual cash gifts. In addition, upon his death the Trutt family made a generous donation to CSUN to honor David’s legacy.

Thanks & Recognition: The Robert and Maureen Gohstand Special Collections & Archives Endowment

Professor Gohstand’s father was the proprietor of a pharmacy in the Shanghai International Settlement—a special zone in China for immigrants controlled by the U.S. and U.K. The family lived above the pharmacy. Bob was 13 years old when he and his family sailed to San Francisco from China. For many of the Old China Hands, the trip to America was the happy ending to a frightful series of exoduses across Eurasia.

The Gohstand Endowment will also support exhibits, internships, fellowships, special speakers, and other types of programs, as well as providing support through the acquisition of rare books and archival collections related to the history of foreigners in China in the first half of the 20th century.

Thanks & Recognition: Yolanda and Jeff Heller

In February 2020, the University Library was honored to receive a considerable gift to enhance our collections. Among our beloved family of generous supporters, Yolanda and Jeff Heller have a special place in their hearts for education, as retired teachers and proud parents of a CSUN music graduate.

The Yolanda and Jeff Heller Endowment was established in memory of Yolanda’s late cousin, Raul E. Aragon, Jr., an alumnus of CSUN and the University’s Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) Assistant Director. This thoughtful tribute supports books and materials for three University Library subjects: Music Performance and Composition, Child Abuse Studies, and Holocaust Studies.

Thanks & Recognition: William and Dorothy Rees

The Reeses are pleased to be supporting access to electronic research resources, which can be cost-prohibitive to students. Access to resources has been especially important during this past year of campus closure. The couple has visited the Library and attended Friends of the Library events in the Gohstand Leisure Reading Room, and have come to appreciate the space. We look forward to seeing Bill and Dorothy again when the Library can open fully to the community. Their tribute to Teddy in support of CSUN students is a special treasure that we in the Library are so very grateful for.

Thanks & Recognition: Recent Retirees

In December, four longstanding employees of the Oviatt Library bid farewell to embark on their next chapter: retirement. As integral members of our team with memorable comradery and collaboration along the way, these members of our team are surely missed!