Rubidoux Dorm Life in 1953

Karen Kleiman, ‘66, was among the first 56 students to start at a brand new school in February 1953. All pioneer boys and girls lived in the coed dorm while other dorms were still under construction.  The school was finally completed in 1958, the largest building in Riverside’s history. Karen treasures her 13 years in dorms as a home away from home.

In the photograph, Karen is wearing steel skating shoes for sidewalk skating. On Sunday, her grandfather planted a kiss on her cheek to bid farewell for a new week of school and dorm life.

Unlike the other thirteen dorms, Karen is happy to know her first dorm, Rubidoux I, has been saved from a buzzdozer for a new lease on its life as a new Student Counseling Center.

Thank you, CSDR, for my round education and happy memories.

Love

Karen Kleiman, ‘66

CSDR Student 1953-1966

This framed picture and accompanying words of appreciation were donated by CSDR Historian Kevin Struxness, ‘76, on the 72nd anniversary of the school’s opening.