Notable Alumni of California State University, Long Beach
California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), also known as Long Beach State University (LBSU) in athletics, is a public research university located in Long Beach, California. Established in 1949 by California governor Earl Warren, the institution initially served the burgeoning post-World War II population of Orange and Southern Los Angeles counties, starting as Los Angeles-Orange County State College. Over the years, CSULB has evolved into a comprehensive university with a wide array of programs and a diverse student body. As of fall 2024, the university enrolls approximately 35,843 undergraduate students and 5,346 graduate students. The graduate programs include master's degrees, credentials, post-baccalaureate certificates, and doctoral programs.
Throughout its history, CSULB has been home to many accomplished individuals who have made significant contributions in various fields. This article highlights some of the most notable alumni who have left their mark on the world.
Expansion and Transformation of CSULB
In 1959, Carl W. McIntosh became the college's second president, ushering in a period of substantial growth. McIntosh significantly expanded the curriculum and oversaw the construction of 30 new campus buildings, while also tripling the number of faculty members. During the 1960s, a time of considerable unrest on American college campuses, McIntosh's leadership style helped maintain a relatively peaceful social environment at Long Beach State College.
The institution's name changed to California State College at Long Beach in 1964, and in 1967, the California state legislature revamped the state college system. In 1972, the California State University Board of Trustees elevated the school to university status, along with 12 other state college campuses, based on total enrollment, size of graduate programs, complexity and diversity of majors and number of doctorates held by faculty at each college.
Campus and Culture
The CSULB campus spans 323 acres (131 ha) across 84 buildings, located 3 miles (5 km) from the Pacific Ocean. The architecture, designed primarily by architect Edward Killingsworth, is mainly of the International style, characterized by minimalism. The campus has received awards for its design and integration of landscaping, particularly at the theater complex where ficus trees blend with the building's architecture.
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The University Student Union (USU) building, a three-story glass structure at the center of campus, houses offices, a study lounge, a ballroom, a food court, a bowling alley, an arcade, and a movie theater. The Rec and Wellness Center, completed in 2010, provides extensive athletic facilities. Beach basketball and volleyball games are played in the iconic, eighteen-story LBS Financial Credit Union Credit Union Pyramid.
The University Art Museum (UAM) features abstract expressionist paintings, works on paper, and an outdoor sculpture garden. The Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden offers a tranquil retreat. Environmental awareness is promoted by the Environmental Science & Policy Club (ES&P Club) and the Grow Beach University Gardens.
Prominent Alumni in Arts and Entertainment
CSULB has produced a remarkable array of talent in the arts and entertainment industry, with alumni achieving significant recognition and accolades.
Film and Television
Steven Spielberg: Perhaps the most recognizable name among CSULB alumni, Steven Spielberg (Class of 1969, BA 2002) is a highly successful and influential filmmaker. He has won two Academy Awards for Best Directing for Schindler's List and Saving Private Ryan and has directed numerous blockbuster movies, including Jaws, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, and Jurassic Park.
Chris Carter: Emmy Award-nominated director Chris Carter (BA 1979) is the creator of the popular science fiction series The X-Files, which garnered numerous awards during its nine seasons on television.
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Linda Woolverton: Linda Woolverton (BA 1974) is a screenwriter known for her work on Academy Award-winning Disney animated films such as Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King, as well as the live-action film Alice in Wonderland.
J. F. Lawton: J. F. Lawton (BA) is the screenwriter behind the popular romantic comedy Pretty Woman.
Mark Steven Johnson: Mark Steven Johnson (BA 1989) has co-written and directed films such as Daredevil and Ghost Rider.
David Twohy: David Twohy (BA) co-wrote the screenplay for the Academy Award-winning film The Fugitive.
Joe Johnston: Joseph Eggleston Johnston II is an American film director, producer, writer, and visual effects artist. He is best known for directing effects-driven films, including Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989), The Rocketeer (1991), Jumanji (1995), Jurassic Park III (2001), The Wolfman (2010), and Captain America: The First Avenger (2011).
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Jennifer Yuh Nelson: Jennifer Yuh Nelson, best known for her directorial debut for “Kung Fu Panda 2,” is the first woman to solely direct an animated feature from a major Hollywood studio.
Music
Richard Carpenter and Karen Carpenter: Richard Carpenter and his sister Karen Carpenter (Class of 1972, Honorary Doctorate 2000) formed the iconic musical duo The Carpenters. Their contributions to music are commemorated by the Carpenter Performing Arts Center on the CSULB campus. Richard and Karen created their first demo featuring the Carpenters’ iconic sound and launched to fame soon after in 1970. Richard was founding benefactor of the Richard and Karen Carpenter Performing Arts Center at LBSU.
Bobby Hatfield: Bobby Hatfield was a member of The Righteous Brothers band and produced hits, such as “Unchained Melody” and “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’” - the most programmed song in radio history, according to USA Today. Hatfield pursued his love of music at LBSU, but left to perform full time after he met partner Bill Medley. Their first No. 1 hit, “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’” was produced by Phil Spector in 1964.
Jae Park: Park Jae-hyung, known professionally as eaJ (제이), is an Argentine-born American singer, songwriter, and former member of the South Korean rock band Day6.
Alexandra Billings: Alexandra Billings (MFA Theatre Arts at CSULB) Grammy Nominee for her album, Being Alive, and actor most known for roles in Transparent, The Conners, The Peripheral
Other Performing Arts
Steve Martin: Stephen Glenn Martin is an American comedian, actor, writer, producer, and musician. Known for his work in comedy films, television, and recording, he has received many accolades, including five Grammy Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award and an Honorary Academy Award, in addition to nominations for two Tony Awards. He also received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2005, the Kennedy Center Honors in 2007, and an AFI Life Achievement Award in 2015. In 2004, Comedy Central ranked Martin at sixth place in a list of the 100 greatest stand-up comics. The Guardian named him one of the best actors never to have received an Academy Award nomination.
Alan Baer: Tuba player Alan Baer (1994) has played principal tuba for the New York Philharmonic since 2004. He was formerly principal tuba with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Long Beach Symphony Orchestra and Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra.
Notable Alumni in Sports
CSULB has a strong athletic tradition, and many of its alumni have excelled in professional sports.
Misty May-Treanor: Misty May-Treanor (BS 2002) is a three-time Olympic gold medalist in beach volleyball, winning in 2004, 2008, and 2012.
George Gervin: George Gervin, nicknamed "the Iceman", is an American former professional basketball player who played in both the American Basketball Association (ABA) and National Basketball Association (NBA) for the Virginia Squires, San Antonio Spurs, and Chicago Bulls.
Evan Longoria: Evan Michael Longoria, nicknamed "Longo", is an American former professional baseball third baseman who played 16 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Tampa Bay Rays, San Francisco Giants, and Arizona Diamondbacks.
Jason Giambi: Jason Gilbert Giambi is an American former professional baseball first baseman and designated hitter. In his Major League Baseball (MLB) career, which began in 1995, Giambi played for the Oakland Athletics, New York Yankees, Colorado Rockies, and Cleveland Indians.
Troy Tulowitzki: Troy Trevor Tulowitzki, nicknamed "Tulo", is an American former professional baseball shortstop who played 13 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB), primarily with the Colorado Rockies. He also played for the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees.
Jered Weaver: Jered David Weaver is an American former professional baseball starting pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Los Angeles Angels and San Diego Padres. Weaver was drafted in the first round (12th overall) in the 2004 Major League Baseball draft by the Angels out of Long Beach State. He was a three-time All Star, and twice led the American League in wins. He is the younger brother of former pitcher Jeff Weaver.
Mark O'Meara: Mark Francis O'Meara is an American retired professional golfer. He was a tournament winner on the PGA Tour and around the world from the mid-1980s to the late 1990s. He spent nearly 200 weeks in the top-10 of the Official World Golf Ranking from their debut in 1986 to 2000. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2015.
Craig Hodges: Craig Anthony Hodges is an American former professional basketball player and former head coach of the Westchester Knicks of the NBA Development League. He played in the NBA for 10 seasons and led the league in 3-point shooting percentage three times.
Dwight Stones: High Jumper Dwight Stones set the World Record while a student at Cal State Long Beach, in addition to winning the bronze medal at both the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich and 1976 in Montreal.
Pat McCormick: Diver Pat McCormick won four gold medals in two consecutive Olympics (Helsinki and Melbourne).
Alumni in Politics and Public Service
CSULB alumni have also made significant contributions in the realm of politics and public service.
Dana Rohrabacher: Dana Rohrabacher (BA) served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1989 to 2019, representing California's 48th congressional district.
George Gascón: George Gascón is an American attorney and former police officer who served as the District Attorney of Los Angeles County from December 7, 2020 to December 3, 2024. A member of the Democratic Party and a former member of the Republican Party, Gascón served as the district attorney of San Francisco from 2011 to 2019.
Denise Austin Denise Austin is an American fitness instructor, author, and columnist, and a former member of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.
Other Notable Alumni
Palmer Luckey: Palmer Freeman Luckey is an American entrepreneur best known as the founder of Oculus VR and designer of the Oculus Rift, a virtual reality head-mounted display that is widely credited with reviving the virtual reality industry.
Erin Gruwell: Erin Gruwell is an American teacher known for her unique teaching method, which led to the publication of The Freedom Writers Diary: How a Teacher and 150 Teens Used Writing to Change Themselves and the World Around Them (1999).
Tony Baxter: Tony Baxter enjoyed a 47-year career with Walt Disney Imagineering before retiring as senior vice president of creative development. Baxter began his Disney career in 1965 scooping ice cream and operating attractions while a college student at LBSU.
Constance Glenn: Constance Glenn was the founding director of LBSU’s University Art Museum, then called “Art Galleries,” in 1973.
CSULB's Impact and Recognition
California State University, Long Beach is among the most applied-to campuses in the California State University system. In 2021, CSULB ranked No. 2 in Washington Monthly's College Guide and Rankings of master's-level universities. In the same year, The Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education ranked CSULB 8th in the nation for Campus Diversity.
