Nationally Renowned Poet Eddie Bell Wows CSUSB With Poetry

Educator, photographer, author and poet Edward (Eddie) Bell read his poetry from 5-7 p.m. in the John M. Pfau Library, room PL 4005e on Monday, Feb. 10, at Cal State San Bernardino. Bell is a multi-talented professional with nationally recognized accomplishments in education, photography, minority affairs, writing and poetry. His poems tell stories about people and life through a black man’s eyes. He has written several books, including “Our Children’s Keepers: A Guide to Pre-College Mentoring Programs” (2013), a step-by-step guide for faith-based communities that want to help youth go to college. Combining successful college-preparation strategies with scripture foundations, the guide covers the full spectrum of the college admission process. Much of the information is derived from Bell’s extensive career in formulating admission policy and developing recruitment and retention programs. Bell’s works also include “Misdeeds” (2011), the story of the life and times of America’s Negro Pullman Porters who served on the nation’s luxurious sleeper trains; and “Festival of Tears” (2009) compact disc, a collection of Bell’s poetry readings accompanied by classical and jazz musicians, featuring “Collateral Damage: A Soliloquy,” a blues poem about a desolate wife who lost her husband to a lynching. Bell retired as assistant vice chancellor from the State University of New York System Administration in 1994. From 1967-1987, he served as assistant professor and associate dean of admissions at the State University of New York, New Paltz. Bell’s accomplishments in higher education, which include pioneering model programs for minority recruitment and retention, have been recognized by the American Council of Education, the National Association of Admission Counseling and the State University of New York College Admission Professionals, as well as the SUNY, New Paltz. His models are still the foundation of SUNY’s minority recruitment programs throughout New York state.