History
of Camp San Luis Obispo Now Available: We are very proud to announce that the California
Center for Military History's first book is now available for
purchase. The book written by a team led by CW2 Mark Denger of
our Naval History Section has worked long and hard to produce
what is hoped to be the first of many such books dealing with
California Military History. To order this book, CLICK
HERE
Unit's Activities
in Afghanistan Chronicled. California's
Company D, 140th Aviation Regiment recently launched its own
web to record the history of their deployment to Afghanistan.
Check out Warriors
with Wrenches. (11/26/04)
New Web Pages
Added: The California
State Military Museum is proud to announce the addition of new
or updated pages to its website. (11/21/04)
Camp Roberts
Museum Opens New Exhibit: The
staff of the Camp
Roberts Museum
is proud to announce the opening of a new exhibit showcasing
the Val Rosing Collection. It will be located in the Museum Annex.
The widow of Val Rosing, Entertainment Director here during World
War II donated the photos and items on the many stage shows he
produced for soldiers here in the Sports Arena and Theater No.
1, including Red Skelton's stage shows. (11/21/04)
New Web Pages
Added: The California
State Military Museum is proud to announce the addition of new
or updated pages to its website. (11/9/04)
History of
Camp San Luis Obispo Now Available:
We are very proud to announce that
the California Center for Military History's first book is now
available for purchase. The book written by a team led by WO1
Mark Denger of our Naval History Section has worked long and
hard to produce what is hoped to be the first of many such books
dealing with California Military History. To pre-order this book,
which is expected to be distributed by Amazon.com on 15 October
2004, CLICK
HERE
New Exhibit
Planned for Ships Named USS California: The museum recently established a committee to
create an exhibit focusing on ships bearing the name USS California.
The centerpiece will be three pieces of the presentation silver
service from the battleship USS California (BB 44).
Museum Acquires
Early California National Guard Artifacts: By Brig. Gen. Donald Mattson, Director. I am pleased
to announce the recent acquisition of an important collection
of early California National Guard artifacts. Containing some
paper items and photographs, the collection is mostly composed
of medals from the formative years of the California Militia/National
Guard. Starting with a shooting medal issued to the Independent
National Guard of San Francisco at the first encampment of the
state militia in 1859, this medal is probably the first official
state sponsored medal attributed to the Guard. There are several
beautifully crafted gold medals (some are quite heavy) issued
at various times between 1869 and the turn of the century. Most,
if not all of these, are named and dated and are of private issue.
The jewelers and engravers of that time were fantastic artisans;
most of these medals are genuine works of art in addition to
their historical significance. The first medals that were regularly
issued by the Guard were marksmanship and long service medals
starting around 1887. This collection contains around 30 examples
of the shooting and service medals. One of the more interesting
of the shooting medals is the medal issued in 1898 for the best
pistol shot in the state. There are two medals (one California
service medal, one private medal) awarded to Brig. Gen. John
Hewston. In 1871, Hewston was given a special order by California
Gov. Henry Haight to provide two companies of the 1st Infantry
Regiment for suppressing violence and maintaining law and order
during a mine labor strike. We also received a nice group of
medals owned by a Guardsman who was part of the California troops
sent to the Philippines during the Spanish American War. This
group contains several state and private medals, including some
gold shooting medals.
Latest Edition of The
Bugle Now Online!
Many thanks to Staff
Sergeant Steve Brown of the California State Military Reserve
for assisting us with online version of the museum's quarterly
newsletter. To view this issue, click the graphic on the right
and to view the special insert honoring those Californians killed
in the Global War on Terror, CLICK
HERE.
Were Official!
"I am signing
AB 1939 which establishes the California State Military Museum
and Resource Center located in Sacramento, California as the
official military museum because I believe that it is very important
to preserve California’s storied military heritage."
-Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
in his message to the State Assembly, 13 July 2004. With a stroke
of his pen, the Governor codifies perious executive orders and
proclamations to permanently make the California State Military
Museum the state offical military museum. Congratulation to our
legislative action team!
New Web Pages
Added: The California
State Military Museum is proud to announce the addition of new
or updated pages to its website. (7/14/04)
Online Donation
Option Now Available: Museum
patrons now have the option to make donations online. If you
would like to make a donation see below:
Donate
to the Museum!
The California State
Military Museum Foundation is a 501c(3) educational organization
Annual Washington
Trip Nets Huge Results: Once
again, the 13-17 June 2004 annual coordination trip to Washington
DC was extremely successful. The team consisting of Brigadier
General Bill Hamilton, Colonel Ken Nielsen, Chief Warrant Officer
4 David Crippen and Command Sergeant Major Dan Sebby met with
the Army's Chief of Military History for the fourth straight
year that resulted in the strengthening the ties between Washington
and Sacramento. The team also met with the senior leadership
of the Naval Historical Center and the Naval Historical Foundation
and started laying the groundwork to expand the scope of our
program to include naval history that will hopefully lead to
a formal relationship with those two institutions. This visit
resulted in the Naval Historical Center donating a complete set
of the Navy's current historical publications to the California
State Military Museum. Initial steps were made with the Air Force
about affiliating with that service's historical program. The
historian for the Fort Myer Military Community, Mr. Kim Holien
(an expert on the 1st California Regiment at the Battle of Balls
Bluff) hosted the team on a tour of Forts Myer and McNair. This
included tours of the 3d Infantry Regiment's Old Guard Museum
as well as their ceremonial facilities, Arlington National Cemetery,
The National Defense University and the National War College.
The highlight of the trip was the team attending the Twilight
Tattoo celebrating the Army's 229th Birthday on the Ellipse in
front of the White House. After the ceremonies, the team had
the good fortune to meet the Acting Secretary of the Army, Mr.
Les Brownlee; the Chief of Staff of the Army, General Peter Schoomaker;
and the Sergeant Major of the Army Kenneth Preston as well as
the Commander of the Military District of Washington, Major General
Galen B. Jackman (who was Nancy Reagan's official escort during
the late president's funeral) and his Command Sergeant Major,
Jeffrey L. Greer.
Brigadier
General Hamilton viewing the grave of the first commander of
the 40th Division, Major General Frederick S. Strong
Chief
Warrant Officer Crippen, Brigadier General Hamilton and Command
Sergeant Major Sebby pose with a Civil War era 13 inch seacoast
mortar.
Chief
Warrant Officer Crippen in front of Collins Hall, home of the
Army's Center of Military History
.
New Web Pages
Added: The California
State Military Museum is proud to announce the addition of new
or updated pages to its website. (5/15/04)
Museum Board
Member Passes Away: The
California State Military Museum regrets to announce that State
Senator William J. "Pete" Knight, a member of the museum's
Board of Directors, who set a world's speed record as an Air
Force pilot has died of leukemia Friday , 7 May 2004 at the City
of Hope National Medical Center in Duarte. Here is a link to
the Los
Angeles Times
article on Senator Knight’s passing.
Storage Facility
Completed: Construction
of our new, Federally funded, climate controlled artifact storage
facility at the Sacramento Army Depot has been completed and
the facility turned over to the State Military Department. For
the first time in our history, we now have a facility that meets
the requirements of the Army’s museum and physical security
regulations. In addition to our 2,000 square foot secured storage
area (which includes a 200 square foot Arms Room) we also have
access to a brand new classroom facility.
CCMH Display
Celebrates Black History Month: The
California Center for Military History set up two displays to
celebrate the service of African-American Soldiers in the U.S.
Army. The displays were set up in the rotunda of the HQ Building
of the 40th Infantry Division (M) at the Los Alamitos Joint Forces
Training Bases and at 185th Armored Regiment Museum located in
the Mesa College Drive Armory in San Diego. The displays cover
the history of African-American service in the Revolutionary
War through the Korean War, when the army disbanded the last
segregated units. Using individual soldiers, units and actions
the displays tell a story of heroism and selfless service, much
of which has been ignored, distorted or subject to revisionism.
During the Revolutionary War, black soldiers made up to five
percent of the integrated Continental Army. Peter Salem a former
slave fought with the militia at Lexington and Concord, with
the Army and Bunker Hill and remained through the end of the
war. York a slave owned by CPT William Clark was the first Africa-American
to cross the North American continent. He carried a musket and
performed all the duties of a soldier and received no reward
or recognition for his service. 900 Soldiers in the Free-Men-of-Color
militia fought at the Battle of New Orleans, under the command
of their own officers. During the Civil War, U.S. Colored Troops
provided over 200,000 Soldiers. During the Indian wars the 9th
and 10th Cavalry and the 24th and 25th Infantry Regiments provided
protection to the settlers. Revisionist history has deprived
the 9th and 10 Cavalry Regiments the recognition for conquering
San Juan Hill, during the war with Span. From the Civil War through
the War with Spain, several African-American Soldiers were awarded
the Medal of Honor. The Mexican Border Incursion again saw the
10th Cavalry leading the way under the command of COL Henry Young,
the highest ranking African-American Officer in the U.S. Army.
World War I found African-Americans limited to segregated units
in the Army. The 93rd Division was placed under French Command
and received of 4000 decorations for heroism. Black units under
American Command demonstrated similar gallantry. Four African-American
Soldiers were nominated for the Medal of Honor with CPL Freddie
Stowers receiving a posthumous award in 1991. When the U.S. entered
WWII COL Benjamin O. Davis Sr. and CPT Benjamin O. Davis Jr.
represented 100% of the African-American Officers in the Army.
During the battle in Europe, African-American Soldiers were allowed
to temporarily integrate into white units as all black platoons
in white companies or as all black companies in white battalions.
African American NCOs had to demote to PFC in order to fight.
Seven Black Soldiers, who had previously received the Distinguished
Service Cross, had their awards upgraded to the Medal of Honor,
in 1997. Six of the awards were posthumous. The Korean War brought
an end to the segregated after the all black 24th and 25th Infantry
regiments distinguished themselves in combat. PFC William Thompson
became the first African-American Medal of Honor recipient since
the war with Spain. The displays were researched, developed and
curated by CW 4 David Crippen
New Web Pages
Added: The California
State Military Museum is proud to announce the addition of new
or updated pages to its website. (4/4/04)
The Bugle
Now Available
Online. Thanks
to Staff Sergeant John Brown, webmaster of the California State
Military Reserve. The museum's newsletter, The Bugle,
is now available on line. CLICK
HERE to view
the latest edition
Historians Acquire Major
Artifact:
The California Center
for Military History has acquired a major addition to its already
extensive collection. On Friday, March 26th, The Federal Bureau
of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms “donated” a recently
seized Japanese Meiji Type 38, 75mm Field Gun. This Type 38 was
based on the Krupp M-05 design and was chosen as the standard
Japanese field gun in 1905. Manufacture was undertaken at the
Osaka Arsenal. During World War One many of the examples were
extensively modernized but others lingered on in their original
form until as late as 1945. It appears that the model that was
acquired was an original model. The vehicle restoration team
led by Captain George Cooper will start restoration immediately
and prepare the piece for display.
Legislative
Update: AB 1939 Cox -- California State Military Museum and Resource
Center: Existing
law requires the adjutant general to establish a California state
military museum and resource center as a repository for military
artifacts, memorabilia, equipment, documents, and other items
related to the history of theCalifornia National Guard and memorabilia
related to the Civil War. This bill would designate the California
State Military Museum and Resource Center as the official state
military museum. Status: May be heard in committee March 13.
–California State Assembly ( 3/10/04)
Our Volunteers
Never Miss a Beat: We
honor our volunteers for doing a great job in the following areas:
docents, docent training, learning, teaching and administrative
help, Education Day and Gold Rush Days (2,209 visitors), Veterans
Day, the golf course fundraiser, Pearl Harbor Day, militaria
shows, deconstruction and construction work days (ongoing), Free
Museum Day (1,500 visitors), making valentines for soldiers in
Iraq, the presence of four military vehicles, young Marines support,
and drill day support from the State Military Reserve's California
Center for Military History. Last summer we began expanding our
volunteer program. We notified the media, and got a trickle of
responses. Slowly, but surely, we rebuilt the program, which
had ebbed. With special help from Lt. Col. Hap Langstaff, U.S.
Marine Corps (Ret.), our dedicated volunteer who is always here
to greet visitors on Fridays, we launched a new kind of training.
Colonel Langstaff taped his tour of the exhibits on the first
floor. With the help of this tape, we trained new volunteers
when the colonel was not present. Additionally, new docents studied
some exhibits through a new booklet, available in the docent’s
orientation book at the admissions desk. In February, the museum
honored volunteers with a potluck supper at the museum where
General Mattson commended everyone on their numerous personal
contributions to the museum. The food was delicious and the company
was great. Commended by the general, the following volunteers
dedicate their time, talent, skills and, in some cases, funding:
Col. Ken Kitchen, Tom and Pam Burke, Col. Lowell Aitken, Dave
Crane, Nick and Connie Harrison, Joan Moretto, Jack Bassett,
Bill Bender, Cassandra and Pattie Dixon, Maj. Charles Hall, PhD,
DD, U.S. Army (Ret.), Francisco (Frank) Hernandez, Wayne Hight,
Lt. Col. Hap Langstaff, USMC (Ret.), Ray Lunsford, Roger Mark,
Grace Heller, James Ramsey, Thomas Reddy, Ron and Marilyn Starbuck,
Bill Davies, Steve Hubbard, Pam Dempsey, Command Sgt. Maj. Dan
Sebby, and the California Center for Military History. We can
never thank you enough for what you do. You help our small staff
in so many ways; we love to see you here. Personally, I am glad
I’ve met so many fine people. -- Marilyn Knorr, volunteer
coordinator, California State Military Museum
Missing Link
in State Military History Found: Historical research is a lot like a detective story.
Clues added to other clues lead to a fuller picture of our past.
In this case the clues lead to finding a long forgotten era in
the history of the California State Military Reserve. About two
months ago, a historian for the California Center for Military
History was doing research on the SMR when he ran across a reference
to the California State Defense Guard (also known as the California
Home Guard), a force raised during World War I that was similar
to the California State Guard (and today’s SMR) of the Second
World War.
After doing a “Google” search on the internet he found
a copy of the magazine, California Home Guard News in a bookstore
in Los Angeles. When the package arrived with the magazine, the
historian realized that he had found a goldmine of information.
The magazine, the third issue dated 22 December 1917, was apparently
a key issue that not only had news, but also:
The Adjutant General’s
regulation for the Home Guard.
What uniform they wore
(dark grey instead of the Army’s olive green).
The locations and officers
for some 45 of the estimated 100 home guard companies located
throughout the state.
Problem encountered getting
recognition and equipment (some things never change).
We found that many famous
people served in the Home Guard. Famed director Cecil B. DeMille
commanded the Home Guard’s 51st Company (also known as the
Lasky Home Guard after the famed Lasky Studio) in Hollywood.
The chairman of the State Senate’s Military Affairs Committee
was a Battalion Adjutant in San Francisco’s 1st Regiment.
It should be noted that that regiment was commanded by a former
Assistant Adjutant General for California.
As this article is being
written, a historian from the California Center for Military
History has made arrangements with the Secretary of State’s
office to search the State Archives to find more information
on this missing era of our history.
So far, all of the information
found has been posted. CLICK
HERE to see
the article
Library Receives
Major Donation: The
California State Military Museum is happy to announce a major
gift to the Major
General Walter P. Story Memorial Library. The donation by
Dr. Karl von den Steinen, recently retired, emeritus history
professor, from California State University, Sacramento consisted
of 400 volumes of scholarly military history, mostly specializing
in European and naval topics, as well as over 50 war games and
over 100 military history videos.
Past major donations have been made by
Museum Director Brigadier General Donald E. Mattson, Chief Librarian
William Davies, Command Sergeant Major Dan Sebby of the California
Center for Military History, firearms collector Curtis Hall,
as well as the estates of the late Assemblyman Brien T. "B.T."
Collins of Carmichael and Ensign Harry J. Devine of Woodland.
The museum is always looking for books,
VHS videos and DVDs dealing with all aspects of military history.
We are also always looking for library grade equipment and shelving.
This includes computer (Windows XP, please) and audio-visual
equipment of all types.
New Web Pages
Added: The California
State Military Museum is proud to announce the addition of new
or updated pages to its website. (3/18/04)
Governor
Schwarzenegger Appoints Major General Thomas Eres as Adjutant
General of the State Military Forces Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today (3 March 2004)
announced the appointment of Major General Thomas Eres as adjutant
general of the State Military Forces for the State of California.
"General Eres has demonstrated
leadership and accomplishment throughout his years of service
to the state and the nation; He is well qualified to lead the
largest and most tasked National Guard force in the United States,"
said Governor Schwarzenegger. "During this period when our
National Guard is facing extraordinary challenges both at home
and abroad, I have every confidence in General Eres to maintain
the high standards and traditions of the institution."
General Eres has over 35
years of service in the California Army National Guard. He has
recently served as director of the Office of Homeland Security
and Defense for the California National Guard. General Eres was
previously commander of the California Army National Guard from
1999 to 2002. From 1996 to 1999 he was special assistant to the
judge advocate general of the United States Army and special advisor
to the chief, National Guard Bureau. During this period he also
acted as deputy adjutant general for the California National Guard.
General Eres enlisted in the California Army National Guard as
an infantryman in 1965 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant
from the California Military Academy in 1970. He was appointed
to the Judge Advocate Corps in 1975 and served in this capacity
until 1996. General Eres was the senior judge advocate for the
California National Guard from 1990 to 1996. In the private sector,
General Eres is an attorney at law specializing in commercial
transactional matters including real property and land use, corporate,
governmental/administrative, and military base reuse matters.
In his most recent position,
General Eres focused his efforts as a lecturer with the National
Interagency Civil-Military Institute (NICI), presenting Executive
Courses on WMD and Counter Terrorism issues involving use of the
military in support of Civil Authority. He has participated in
symposiums addressing international law, business diplomacy, intelligence,
homeland security and terrorism. His focus includes the interrelationship
of intrastate, interstate, national and international entities
dealing with post September 11, 2001 realities of public safety.
"I am honored that
Governor Schwarzenegger has entrusted me with the command of the
more than 22,000 men and women serving in the California Army
and Air National Guard," said General Eres. "Like them,
I am ready to serve and will ensure the finest state of readiness
and response attainable."
General Eres, 59, received
his Bachelor's degree from the University of Redlands and his
Juris Doctorate from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School
of Law. General Eres is also a graduate of the U.S. Army Command
and General Staff College, as well as the U.S. Army War College.
He is a member of the California State and American Bar Associations,
and is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, the
U.S. Court of Military Appeals and the Ninth Circuit Court of
Appeals, among others. General Eres is a fellow of the American
Bar Foundation, a member of the Board of Regents of the University
of the Pacific, and past chair of the President's Advisory Council
for California State University, Sacramento. He is a past member
of the Board of Governor's of the California State Bar and past
president of the Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and
Sacramento Metropolitan YMCA. General Eres is a registered Republican
and a resident of Carmichael, CA. This position requires Senate
confirmation and the compensation is $167,740.
The Military Department
is responsible for the command, leadership, and management of
the California Army and Air National Guard whose purpose is to
provide military service support to California as well as the
nation. The California National Guard protects the public safety
of the people of California by providing military support to civil
authorities during natural disasters and other emergencies, and
provides support to the local communities. These services are
provided through 118 armories, 10 air bases, and three army bases
located throughout California. The California National Guard is
the largest National Guard force in the United States, with an
authorized strength of 18,000 Army National Guard and 4,900 Air
National Guard members.
Under the provisions of
Section 179 of the California Military and Veterans Code, General
Eres also becomes an ex oficio member of the Board of Directors
of the California State Military Museum
New Web Pages
Added: The California
State Military Museum is proud to announce the addition of new
or updated pages to its website. (2/29/04)
Sergeant Ron Crouch
(seated) and Captain George Cooper (standing) show off the museum's
newly restored M151A2 "Jeep" (Photos by CW4 David Crippen)
Vehicle Restoration
Team Completes First Project:
The California
Center for Military History's Vehicle Restoration Team completed
their first project, the restoration of a Marine Corps M151A2
"Jeep". This classic vehicle was fully restored through
the considerable efforts of Captain George Cooper and Sergeant
Ron Crouch. The Federally owned artifact was transferred to the
US Army Museum Activity from the California Army National Guard.
The vehicle, which was originally procured by the US Marine Corps,
was returned to its 1970's camouflage paint scheme and fording
equipment was reinstalled. It was "debuted" at the
2004 Sacramento Museum Day on 7 February 2004. This was one of
four vintage vehicles shown that day. Over 1,500 visitors viewed
the California State Military Museum and the associated displays
outside. Their next project, a 1950's M-37 3/4-ton Cargo Truck!
Yes,
it does run!
The
front of the museum with vehicles from the California Center
for Military History and the Military Vehicle Collectors of California
New Web Pages
Added: The California
State Military Museum is proud to announce the addition of new
or updated pages to its website. (2/22/04)
Regimental
Museum Launches Website. The
185th Armor Regiment's museum has launched its own website. Check
it out at www.185museum.com/
Military
Heritage Gallery Launched:
The California State Military Museum (CSMM) today launched a
new military service gallery to honor the individual stories
of California veterans.
The web-based service gallery preserves the personal story of
your own, or your loved ones, military record and service to
the United States of America.
The CSMM's Military Heritage Gallery represents all who served,
whether in peacetime or during a war, and all branches of military
service, including the National Guard, the reserves, state military
forces, personnel in support of U.S. armed forces classified
as U.S. veterans, and allied military forces.
A tax-deductible donation of $100 will secure a place for your
story. Participants may include a photo, preferably in uniform,
and a statement of their military experience, including medals
awarded, duty stations, nicknames, personal anecdotes and other
details.
Families of California military personnel killed or missing in
action in Afghanistan or Iraq will be included in the gallery
at no charge.
The museum will post their stories immediately upon request to
honor the troops who made the supreme sacrifice in the global
war on terrorism.
The museum's director, Brig. Gen. Donald Mattson, will award
the CSMM's official Certificate of Appreciation to those whose
stories are posted in the gallery.
Register today. Log on at here to view the California Military Heritage Gallery.
For more information, look for an insert in The Pennysaver newspapers
or contact the museum at webmaster@militarymuseum.org or (916) 442-2883.
New Web Pages
Added: The California
State Military Museum is proud to announce the addition of new
or updated pages to its website. (2/10/04)
Museum Receives
Major Grant: Museum
Director, Brigadier General (Ret) Don Mattson announced that
the museum has received a $200,000 capital improvement grant
from the State Department of Parks and Recreation. Some of the
projects that will be accomplished over the next six months will
be:
Installation of new state-of-the-art
museum lighting using LED, low-voltage, non UV and IR lighting
fixtures. This will also be partially funded by the Sacramento
Municipal Utility District (SMUD) as a demonstration project
to showcase new energy saving lighting.
Painting of the main gallery
Re-carpeting of the main
gallery.
Redoing the electrical
grid on the main gallery including the installation of several
floor plugs
Refurbishing older and
the construction of new display cases.
New book cases for the
library allowing better use of their area.
New Web Pages
Added: The California
State Military Museum is proud to announce the addition of new
pages to its website. (1/24/04)
California Militia and National Guard
Unit Histories:
Military Historian
Selected to Lead California's Community Colleges SACRAMENTO - The Board of Governors
of the California Community Colleges today announced the appointment
of Los Angeles Community College District Chancellor Dr. Marshall
"Mark" Drummond as chancellor for the state community
college system. Dr. Drummond is a Warrant Officer 1 in the California
Center for Military History of the State Military Reserve.
Drummond will officially
assume his new role on January 18, 2004, when exiting Chancellor
Thomas J. Nussbaum officially retires. He will begin spending
time in Sacramento on January 5, however, in order to work with
Nussbaum to ensure a smooth transition in leadership for the largest
system of higher education in the world.
"We are extremely excited
that Chancellor Drummond has accepted this position," said
Catherine L. Unger, President of the Board of Governors.
"This is a challenging
time for California and the community colleges. Mark Drummond
has a record of galvanizing public support for the colleges and
we believe he will hit the ground running to work with the new
Governor and the Legislature to find the resources needed to keep
the colleges vital in building the future of the state."
"I am grateful for
the opportunity to serve the California Community Colleges at
a time when enrollment demand is at an all-time high, and the
system is poised to play an increasingly pivotal role in California's
future," Drummond said in accepting his new post. "I
want to offer my thanks to the Board of Governors, and to my predecessor,
Tom Nussbaum, whose courage and skill as chancellor have led the
system through difficult times and strengthened the system."
Appointed chancellor of
the Los Angeles Community College District in June 1999, Drummond
is credited with resurrecting the district from a troubled history
of financial hardship, archaic bureaucracy and declining enrollment.
During his tenure, Drummond
succeeded in getting two bond measures, Propositions A and AA,
totaling more than $2 billion, approved by voters to make much-needed
improvements to the nine Los Angeles community college campuses.
In addition, he created a decentralized administrative system
that empowers each of the colleges, the college presidents, and
the communities they serve. Drummond also has revived awareness
of the opportunities available to students who enroll in Los Angeles
community colleges. Within four years, enrollment in the District
grew from 100,000 to more than 130,000 students before the colleges
were forced to cap enrollment due to state funding cuts.
"The Board of Governors
faced a tough choice in selecting the next chancellor of the California
Community Colleges. They have made the right choice with Mark
Drummond," said California State Secretary of Education Richard
Riordan. "Mark comes to this post with a reputation for being
a turnaround specialist and an effective leader. I look forward
to working with him."
"I am greatly encouraged
by the selection of Mark Drummond," said Senator Jack Scott,
Chair of the Senate's Budget Subcommittee on Education. "He
brings a wealth of experience, excellent educational insight and
a fine set of leadership skills to this position."
Prior to joining the Los
Angeles district, Drummond served as president of Eastern Washington
University for nearly a decade, significantly increasing the university's
endowment, grants and contracts and private and public funds.
Drummond also served as executive vice president, vice president
of administrative service and finances and vice president and
chief information officer.
Drummond holds extensive
experience in the private sector as well. He was a founding member
and general manager of Technology Specialists, Inc., and general
manager for West Coast operations at Systems and Computer Technology
Corporation, both based in Pennsylvania. Drummond is also the
past president of Management Services Associates in Hayward, California.
As Chancellor of the California
Community Colleges, Drummond will oversee policy development and
work with the Board of Governors to provide leadership, accountability
and advocacy for the system. Responsibilities of the Chancellor's
Office also include college financing and program management.
Nussbaum led a period of
growth and system development while at the helm of the California
Community Colleges. He is credited with increasing fiscal support
for the system and visibility for the colleges' ability to bolster
the social and economic success of the state. He led during four
of the largest funding increases in system history, resulting
in a base budget increase for community colleges of more than
$1.75 billion. His policy recommendations to address educational
issues, such as increased access and accountability, helped to
shape the fundamental role of community colleges in California
today and in the future.
"The past seven years
have been tremendously fulfilling, both in terms of being able
to develop a strategy for the future of community colleges in
California and working with the Board of Governors, my staff and
educational leaders throughout the state," said Nussbaum.
"I have always appreciated Mark Drummond's creativity, dynamism
and results-oriented approach and I think the Board made a great
choice. I am looking forward to working with Mark and the Board
of Governors to ensure an orderly transition."
"It was great news
this morning to hear that the Board of Governors has selected
a great leader from among us," said Piedad E. Robertson,
Superintendent/President of Santa Monica College. "I look
forward to working with him in his new capacity as chancellor
of the Community Colleges system."
"Mark Drummond will
make an excellent chancellor for the California Community College
system. He is an experienced leader who certainly knows the pressing
needs of higher education in general and the community colleges
in particular, since he has led the Los Angeles district the past
four years. I look forward to working with him in Sacramento,
as all of higher education joins together to protect quality and
access for the state's students," said California State University
Chancellor Charles B. Reed.
Raymond Holdsworth, Chairman
of the Board for the California State Chamber of Commerce strongly
endorsed Drummond's selection.
"I have worked closely
with Dr. Mark Drummond and found him to be a highly effective
manager, who has proven capable of guiding the Los Angeles Community
Colleges District in good times as well as challenging times,"
Holdsworth said. "Above all, he is dedicated to providing
opportunities for students to succeed, and to get the highly diverse
next generation ready for careers. A trained and educated workforce
is critical to California's economic future."
About the California
Community Colleges
The California Community
Colleges is a system of 108 public two-year institutions that
are administered through 72 community college districts throughout
the state. Each year more than 2 million students enroll in the
community colleges to prepare for transfer to four-year colleges
and universities, train for new careers, or upgrade their technical
or academic skills.
California State Military
Department
History
of Camp San Luis Obispo Now Available: We are very proud to announce that the California
Center for Military History's first book is now available for
purchase. The book written by a team led by CW2 Mark Denger of
our Naval History Section has worked long and hard to produce
what is hoped to be the first of many such books dealing with
California Military History. To order this book, CLICK
HERE
Latest Edition of The
Bugle Now Online!
Many thanks to Staff
Sergeant Steve Brown of the California State Military Reserve
for assisting us with online version of the museum's quarterly
newsletter. To view this issue, click the graphic on the right
and to view the special insert honoring those Californians killed
in the Global War on Terror, CLICK
HERE.
Historians Acquire Major
Artifact:
The California Center
for Military History has acquired a major addition to its already
extensive collection. On Friday, March 26th, The Federal Bureau
of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms “donated” a recently
seized Japanese Meiji Type 38, 75mm Field Gun. This Type 38 was
based on the Krupp M-05 design and was chosen as the standard
Japanese field gun in 1905. Manufacture was undertaken at the
Osaka Arsenal. During World War One many of the examples were
extensively modernized but others lingered on in their original
form until as late as 1945. It appears that the model that was
acquired was an original model. The vehicle restoration team
led by Captain George Cooper will start restoration immediately
and prepare the piece for display.
Governor
Schwarzenegger Appoints Major General Thomas Eres as Adjutant
General of the State Military Forces Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today (3 March 2004)
announced the appointment of Major General Thomas Eres as adjutant
general of the State Military Forces for the State of California.
