CSUB | Bakersfield Book: CSUB profile
Bakersfield: It's the People, and a Whole Lot More (CSUB profile) - 2016
While working in the Office of the President, under the leadership of Dr. Evelyn Young Spath, I helped with the CSUB profile in a book about Bakersfield, a publication from Mayor Harvey Hall’s office. It was entitled, “Bakersfield: It’s the People, and a Whole Lot More.”
Research
This was a major overview on the history of the university, which meant an in-depth search of important dates, key people on campus, standout images and getting the tone of the storytelling right. I combed through our archives of photos, worked with the Walter W. Stiern Library’s archivist and referenced headlines and information the university had taken the lead on.
Staying on task
Dr. Evelyn Young Spath didn’t call me the “Task Master” for nothing. Whether it was a response to an email, meeting a deadline or getting a request, I made sure to communicate it to Dr. Spath and work on what I could. I would write drafts based on information and storied I’d heard, as well as making sure we had a selection of photos and all the necessary materials, along with any important due dates and deadlines quickly approaching.
The Mediator
For much of this project, I served as the mediator, between the publishing company’s editor or the billing department and Dr. Spath. Whoever the contact was, I relayed all relative information to Dr. Spath and assisted with any urgent matters to make them happen in a timely manner.
I absolutely loved working on this project, because it allowed me to put my journalist/storytelling cap on, as well as learn more about this organization that I’d only known as a student. It taught me so much about the spirit, tenacity and passion of our university and the people.
