The Luckman Fine Arts Complex at Cal State LA celebrated its 30th anniversary with a gala honoring the university’s President Emeritus James M. Rosser and East Los Angeles achievements in fine arts on Friday, Oct. 4.

In many ways, Rosser was a trailblazing administrator in higher education. A champion of inclusion, he was the first African American to lead Cal State LA and the second Black person appointed to serve as president in the California State University, which is the largest public university system in the United States.

Attendees reflected on Rosser’s many achievements, from expanding the university’s cultural footprint to his leadership in increasing access to higher education for diverse communities. Rosser’s presidency, from 1979 to 2013, was marked by his deep commitment to the arts, cultural diversity, and expanding access to higher education for underserved communities in East Los Angeles and beyond. During his tenure as president, Rosser championed landmark initiatives, including the establishment of The Luckman and the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts on Cal State LA’s campus.

The gala program also included a moving tribute to the legacy of East L.A. arts, featuring remarks by James Ford III, a professor of music in the College of Arts and Letters, and a video retrospective highlighting 30 years of artistic achievements at The Luckman. Academy Award-winning director Taylor Hackford—whose credits include the epic crime drama Blood In Blood Out—and acclaimed Spanish guitarist Ángel Romero praised Cal State LA’s role in fostering cultural engagement.

Cal State LA President Berenecea Johnson Eanes lauded Rosser’s and The Luckman’s profound and lasting effect on the university and its mission of inclusion and excellence.

“Thank you, Dr. Rosser, for your inspirational three decades of leadership for Cal State LA, including the founding and construction of The Luckman Fine Arts Complex,” Eanes said. “The Luckman serves our mission by igniting that spark of creativity so essential for learning while also inviting the community to campus and strengthening our connection to L.A.’s diverse communities.”

Following the tribute, the audience was treated to a dazzling concert by Michael Feinstein, renowned for his work as the “Ambassador of the Great American Songbook.” Feinstein, accompanied by the Carnegie Hall Ensemble and the Luckman Jazz Orchestra, delivered a stirring program that paid tribute to the legendary singer and performer Tony Bennett.

Feinstein’s close personal friendship with Bennett infused the performance with authenticity and emotional depth, as he brought Bennett’s iconic songs to life, including classics like “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” and “Rags to Riches.”

During the concert, Feinstein acknowledged the former president from the stage—and made mention of the honorary doctorate he received from Cal State LA in 1997 while Rosser was president. The longstanding relationship between Feinstein and Rosser added a meaningful dimension to the evening, making Feinstein’s tribute performance at The Luckman all the more poignant.

For three decades, The Luckman has presented cutting-edge professional music, dance, theatre, and visual arts from around the world to the greater Los Angeles community. Named for noted philanthropists Harriet and Charles Luckman, The Luckman is committed to cultivating an appreciation for the arts by providing a platform for artistic expression and the discovery of different cultures. It is home to three unique spaces: The Luckman Theatre, The Intimate Theatre, and The Luckman Gallery.

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California State University, Los Angeles is the premier comprehensive public university in the heart of Los Angeles. Cal State LA is ranked number one in the United States for the upward mobility of its students. Cal State LA is dedicated to engagement, service, and the public good, offering nationally recognized programs in science, the arts, business, criminal justice, engineering, nursing, education, and the humanities. Founded in 1947, the University serves more than 24,000 students and has more than 250,000 distinguished alumni.