Matador Memories Channel

“Matador Memories” explores the history of California State University, Northridge and its impact on the San Fernando Valley and Southern California. It features conversations with faculty, alumni, staff and members of the community sharing stories about the university.

Episode 10:
A Conversation with CSUN Legend William Watkins

The final episode of a conversation with California State University, Northridge legend William Watkins, who stepped on the campus of then San Fernando Valley State College as one of just a handful of Black students. By the time he graduated, he was the university's first Black student body president. This year marks his 50th year as an employee of California State University, Northridge. He started in HR and is now Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students. Host Carmen Ramos Chandler talks to Watkins about his time at CSUN, both as a student, and as an advocate for students over the decades.

Episode 9:
A Conversation with CSUN Legend William Watkins

A continuation of a conversation with California State University, Northridge legend William Watkins, who stepped on the campus of then San Fernando Valley State College as one of just a handful of Black students. By the time he graduated, he was the university's first Black student body president. This year marks his 50th year as an employee of California State University, Northridge. He started in HR and is now Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students. Host Carmen Ramos Chandler talks to Watkins about his time at CSUN, both as a student, and as an advocate for students over the decades.


Episode 8: 
A Conversation with CSUN Legend William Watkins

When CSUN legend William Watkins first stepped on the campus of what was then San Fernando Valley State College, he was one of just a handful of Black students. By the time he graduated, he was the university's first Black student body president. This year marks his 50th year as an employee of California State University, Northridge. He started in HR and is now Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students. Host Carmen Ramos Chandler talks to Watkins about his time at CSUN, both as a student, and as an advocate for students over the decades. 


Episode 7: 
Evolution of CSUN’s CHIME Institute with educator Annie Cox

Hosts Analisa Venolia and Carmen Ramos Chandler talk with Annie Cox, Dir. of the Early Childhood Programs for California State University, Northridge’s CHIME Institute, about the founding of the institute, which is a national leader in the development and implementation of a unique model of inclusive education. It started with an early childhood program based at CSUN and grew to include LAUSD-affiliated charter elementary and middle schools. 


Episode 6: 
Teenage Drama Workshop

Hosts Analisa Venolia and Carmen Ramos Chandler talk with CSUN alum Candy Sherwin, a former student, dance instructor and choreographer with California State University, Northridge’s award-winning Teenage Drama Workshop. As one of the nation’s oldest programs, TADW immerses the teenagers in the day-to-day reality of a professional theatrical troupe, from designing lighting, costumes and sets to learning lines and choreography during an intense six weeks. The afternoons are spent in rehearsal, building sets or putting together costumes and props for productions presented to the community. Click here to learn more about CSUN’s Teenage Drama Workshop.


Episode 5: 
The 1994 Northridge Earthquake, a Conversation with Nate Thomas

Host Carmen Ramos Chandler continues her conversation with film professor Nate Thomas as he shares his memories of what happened on Jan. 17, 1994 during the Northridge Earthquake and the days that followed, and how that shaped the campus and its community. Click here to learn more about the earthquake’s impact on the CSUN campus.


Episode 4: 
The 1994 Northridge Earthquake, a Conversation with Nate Thomas

Host Carmen Ramos Chandler talks to film professor about his memories of the 1994 Northridge Earthquake. Thomas was a lecturer at the university when a 6.7-magniture earthquake struck, destroying classrooms, laboratories and offices. Thomas still marvels that, despite all the damage, the campus opened four weeks after the earthquake hit, with the 1994 spring semester starting only two weeks late. Click here to learn more about the earthquake’s impact on the CSUN campus.


Episode 3: 
The 1994 Northridge Earthquake, a Conversation with George Salas

Host Carmen Ramos Chandler talks to computer science alum George Salas about his memories of the 1994 Northridge Earthquake. Salas was a senior looking forward to his last semester at the university when a 6.7-magniture earthquake struck, destroying the university as he knew it. Click here to learn more about the earthquake’s impact on the CSUN campus.


Episode 2: 
The 1994 Northridge Earthquake, a Conversation with Cynthia Rawitch

In the inaugural episode of Matador Memories, host Carmen Ramos Chandler talks with Cynthia Rawitch, former CSUN Vice Provost, journalism professor, publisher of the Daily Sundial and interim dean for the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media, and Communication. Rawitch shares her memories of what happened on Jan. 17, 1994 during the Northridge Earthquake and its impact on the university. Click here to learn more about the earthquake’s impact on the CSUN campus.


Episode 1: 
The 1994 Northridge Earthquake, a Conversation with Cynthia Rawitch

In the inaugural episode of Matador Memories, host Carmen Ramos Chandler talks with Cynthia Rawitch, former CSUN Vice Provost, journalism professor, publisher of the Daily Sundial and interim dean for the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media, and Communication. Rawitch shares her memories of what happened on Jan. 17, 1994 during the Northridge Earthquake and its impact on the university. Click here to learn more about the earthquake’s impact on the CSUN campus.
 

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