Note to editors and news directors: For details and background on the California State University’s Super Sunday efforts, visit this website: http://www.calstate.edu/supersunday/. Available there are a list of churches, a 90-second promotional video and a blog by participants. 

MEDIA ADVISORY:

Sunday morning, Feb. 22, at various times and
churches in L.A. and beyond

CSU’S ‘SUPER SUNDAY’ PUTS PRESIDENTS, OTHERS IN PULPITS OF 25 CHURCHES

Chancellor at West Angeles, trustee at First AME,
Cal State L.A. president at Full Harvest

as CSU leaders team with congregations to draw
African Americans toward higher education

Los Angeles, CA – Bringing a message of education to congregations, California State University leaders will visit 25 Southern California churches Feb. 22 as part of the CSU’s fourth annual Super Sunday outreach program to guide young African Americans toward a university education and the success it can foster.

Last year Cal State L.A. President James M. Rosser, speaking at Crenshaw Christian Center in Los Angeles, said, “We’re not just standing by to help. We’re coming by to help. We’re reaching more than half-way to pull underserved students to college. There is plenty we all can do, whether or not we have school-aged children.” This year he will speak at Full Harvest International Church (see listing below).

According to CSU Chancellor Charles B. Reed, “We hope to make communities aware of the steps that students need to complete each year to get to college. We are pleased to say that these efforts are paying off. Since Super Sunday began, the CSU has seen steady increases in African American undergraduate enrollment.”

More background, impact statistics and other details are way below. Listed immediately below are three of the 25 churches particularly suitable for media coverage. Here’s the complete list: http://www.calstate.edu/supersunday/churches_south.shtml.  

 

California State University, 25 churches, and Super Sunday  

Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009 – Three coverage opportunities

8 a.m. and 11 a.m.

West Angeles Cathedral

3600 Crenshaw Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90016
Speakers: CSU Chancellor Charles B. Reed at 8 a.m. and CSU Northridge President Jolene Koester at 11 a.m.

Media point of contact:

Erik Fallis, Public Affairs, California State University, Office of the Chancellor

Tel: (562) 951-4064

Cell: (562) 477-7317

9 a.m.

Full Harvest International

18355 Figueroa Street
Gardena, CA 90248
Speaker: Cal State L.A. President James M. Rosser

Media points of contact:

Clara Potes-Fellow, Director, Media Relations, California State University

cpotes-fellow@calstate.edu

Phone: (562) 951-4806

Cell: (310) 995-3872

Sean Kearns, Director of Media Relations, California State University, Los Angeles

skearns@calstatela.edu

Phone: 323-343-3050

Cell: 323-369-4604

10 a.m. and noon

First AME Church

2270 S. Harvard Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90018
Speaker: CSU Board of Trustee Margaret Fortune at 10 a.m. and noon

Media point of contact:

Claudia Keith, Assistant Vice Chancellor, Public Affairs

ckeith@calstate.edu

Phone: (562) 951-4800

Cell: 562-355-4479 

 

Now for some background, perspective and details:

Can presidents pushing higher education from the pulpit boost African American enrollment in higher education? It sure looks like it.

Consider exploring the impact of Super Sunday, the California State University (CSU) system’s church-based effort to reach young people in the African American community. (www.calstate.edu/supersunday)    This Sunday, leaders from the CSU will speak at services at 25 different area churches (see coverage opportunities outlined above).

 Last weekend, more than 40 congregations in Northern California heard the four-point message:

•           Higher education is the cornerstone of our society’s health, well-being and prosperity. 

•           Higher education is accessible and attainable.

•           As a community, we must expect and encourage smart young people in our midst to pursue it. 

•           And we must help them plan and prepare for higher education.

In the back of the churches are counselors and information tables seeking to plant seeds and seal deals. The effort has also partnered CSU admissions counselors with educational liaisons at the churches to boost an understanding of what it takes to get to college.

This is the fourth year of Super Sunday. Has it made a difference?

The numbers are encouraging:  Between 2004 and 2007, undergraduate enrollment by African-American students in the CSU increased from roughly 18,400 to just over 22,000 – an increase of nearly 20 percent. Over the same three years at Cal State L.A., the number of African American first-time freshmen increased by more than 55 percent, to 173 new students in 2007.  Also, each year, on average, about 200 African American students are entering Cal State L.A. as undergraduate transfers.  Meanwhile, at CSU Dominguez Hills (in Carson), the number of African American freshmen has risen by more than 33 percent.

Pasted below are some additional news releases: 

CSU Chancellor’s Office Super Sunday main site: http://www.calstate.edu/supersunday/

CSU Chancellor’s Office Super Sunday early news release: http://www.calstate.edu/pa/news/2009/supersunday_release_general.shtml

Cal State L.A. news release: http://www.calstatela.edu/univ/ppa/newsrel/CSUsupersun2009.htm 

If you have any questions, or would like to attend one of the services, please give me a call Clara Potes-Fellow or Teresa Ruiz at the CSU Chancellor’s Office – (562) 951-4800 – or contact any of the points of contact listed above.