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By Fram Virjee
Cal State Fullerton president
Most, if not all of us have, at some point in our lives, secretly (or even openly) dreamed of seeing our name emblazoned on a stadium marquee; taking center stage in a packed arena; or hearing our voice echo off stadium walls. We dreamed of being, if for one fleeting moment, a rock star.
That dream and the attributes associated with its realization — God-given talent, never-ending tenacity, and groundbreaking vision — are so universally known, the term itself has become synonymous with excellence in any field.
While I personally have yet to achieve “rock star” status in any facet of my life (unless Great Dane wrestling can be considered worthy of that moniker), I did recently get to live out my boyhood dream of stepping to the mic in an arena packed with 10,000 plus people. Admittedly, a Fender wasn’t strapped to my chest and song did not burst forth from my lips (for good reason — I can’t play a lick or carry a tune), but it was everything I dreamed it would be and so much more.
It was the beginning of a transformative day made possible by the love, support, and dedication of the faculty, staff, and students of Cal State Fullerton.
It was the genesis of what will undoubtedly become a life-changing adventure for the students and families in attendance and an event that is fast-becoming one of my favorites of the year, second only to commencement, and even then by just a hair.
It was Welcome to Cal State University, Fullerton Day, on April 13. The annual program for newly admitted students and their families is a one-day showcase of our campus and provides an inclusive embrace to all prospective Titans by all current Titans.
As I stepped to the mic to kick off the festivities, any lingering boyhood dreams of rock stardom had long been replaced by my love and appreciation for the faculty, staff, and students whose work and dedication led me and so many others to the magic of that moment and day. So that is how I introduced the packed arena of prospective students and their loved ones to CSUF; through the lens of what those Titans are to me, each other, and anyone who looks to us as a beacon of opportunity and excellence: Titan family.
“That is not just something we say,” I shared into the mic, reveling in the kinetic energy of the crowd. “It is who we are, and by joining us today, you become an integral part of it.”
Given the guarded approach many prospective students and their families rightfully take during campus visits, I have no doubt that my “Titan family” assertion was greeted with some skepticism at that early morning hour. But after joining our all-hands-on-deck team of Titan faculty, staff, and students in facilitating every minute of this incredible day — from Financial Aid workshops and activity fairs to campus tours and future classmate connections — I know that by day’s end, any and all skepticism had given way to complete love for CSUF and a strong belief in the power of our Titan family. The data alone tells us that, with students accepting admission throughout the event, but based on the feedback I received from the students and their loved ones, what happened on this Welcome to CSUF Day transcends numbers and taps into the heart of what I was trying to say in my opening remarks.
“We are a family of faculty members who see you for your promise and dedicate their lives to empowering you to fulfill it,” I exclaimed to the prospective students, my lack of microphone prowess highlighted by a short squeal of feedback. “We are a family of staff members committed to providing you with equitable pathways to success. We are a family of student clubs and organizations devoted to welcoming you for who you are and inspiring you to reach higher. We are a family of alumni who will forever support you when we see those four letters — CSUF — next to your name, whether it be on your transcript, resume, job application, or T-shirt. Above all, we are a family that is not complete without you, our next generation of Titans.”
I paused after that last statement, allowing the breadth and power of our Titan family to sink in as the echo of my amplified words slowly faded into the cloudless Fullerton sky. Truth be told, that’s all they would have been — words — were it not for the faculty, staff, and students who breathe life into them not just on Welcome to CSUF Day, but every day.
And so I want to pause here too; to take a moment to thank everyone who volunteered, worked on, or simply attended Welcome to CSUF Day. You are the Titans who reach higher, showing up on a Saturday morning to proudly and impeccably present our campus to our communities. You are the manifestation of our strategic plan, instilling in our students an affinity for the university start to finish; from Welcome to CSUF Day to commencement day and beyond. You are the next generation of Titan students who will soon lead Cal State Fullerton and, in turn, lead Orange County, the state and nation.
You are the true “rock stars” of Cal State Fullerton, possessing all the referenced attributes synonymous with the moniker: God-given talent, never-ending tenacity, and groundbreaking vision. Sure, that may not put your name on any stadium marquees, but it will put nearly 13,000 names on college degrees when we fill Titan Stadium again next month.
That, Titan family, is music to my ears.
Rock on and Reach Higher.
Cal State Fullerton President Fram Virjee formerly served as the executive vice chancellor and general counsel of the California State University, as well as secretary to the CSU Board of Trustees. In March, he became the university’s sixth president, taking the permanent seat after a 14-month interim role. He and his wife, Julie, run Yambi Rwanda, a nonprofit organization in Rwanda that seeks to help overcome poverty and the trauma of genocide through education and opportunity.
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