Dahna Stowe’s colleagues describe her decision to retire early from teaching at CSU Bakersfield (CSUB) as selfless. The CFA Bakersfield Council for Racial and Social Justice Representative and CSUB lecturer is retiring to save the jobs of not just one, but two faculty.  

“It’s just really the right thing to do,” Stowe said. “I know I can leave and be okay and two human beings can keep their jobs, even if it’s just for a little while.” 

Stowe has taught in the Sociology Department since 2013, after she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from CSUB. She joined CFA right away and was the longtime lecturer representative prior to her current role.  

Joining CFA as a member was a no-brainer for Stowe. Being involved in CFA helps keep her grounded and focused on the broader mission of the university. Education is the great equalizer, Stowe said, and knowledge is the one thing nobody can ever take away.  

“I would have to have amnesia to forget that there’s really a bigger call to all of this,” Stowe said. “It’s not just about going to work, teaching some classes, grading some papers, and getting a paycheck. This really is about dismantling systems of oppression.” 

Tracey Salisbury, CFA AVP of Chapter Presidents, South, and CSU Bakersfield professor, said CFA Bakersfield and the campus as a whole will suffer a great loss with Stowe’s retirement.  

“She is an amazing educator who’s really dedicated to her students and to her discipline,” Salisbury said. “She’s a glue person; she’s a person that you need on your team to bring people together in a solid, functional way.” 

Salisbury, who is close friends with Stowe, added that Stowe is smart, collaborative, loving, giving, and willing to do whatever it takes to get the work done. Stowe also makes sure whatever constituency she represents is truly represented, Salisbury said.  

CFA members should also know, Salisbury said, that Stowe makes the best greens and mac and cheese. Stowe is a great mom and grandma, too.  

Dirk Horn, CFA Bakerfield lecturer representative and CSUB lecturer, also spoke highly of Stowe. He said Stowe is always the first to volunteer and speaks truth to power on a regular basis. She holds administration accountable so much that some of his favorite memories of her are of Stowe holding their feet to the fire.  

“She calls out the president at open forums on a constant basis to point to where he calls on her first because he knows she’s going to have something to say,” Horn said. “So, watching him squirm is nice.” 

But Stowe is not going to stop giving to CFA or the university. After her retirement, she will continue serving on the CFA Bargaining Team and personally donating to the CSUB.  

Horn said the fact that Stowe will be representing CSUB on the bargaining team shows her dedication to faculty and students. She will still be advocating and fighting for us, Horn said.  

Along with her sister, Dorie Gutierrez, Stowe is donating $125,000 over five years to CSU Bakersfield to establish the Rasmussen Family Endowment in honor of their parents. The endowment will go towards programs that align with who they are as people and their values. The programs include ones that support Black female freshmen on campus, young men of color, formerly incarcerated students, emergency housing, and basic needs programs.  

On top of that, in April, Stowe and her sister were also able to donate $15,000 to establish the Antelope Valley campus food pantry. Stowe said she and her sister decided to donate the funds because they grew up in poverty. Growing up, they had to make a pot of spaghetti or beans last for an entire week.  

Bakersfield raised her and her sister, Stowe said, and she has an intimate relationship with the struggle of those in the Bakersfield community. When they began to get information about what an endowment was and establishing it, they had a conversation about considering the university.  

“Our mother taught us that if you’re going to do something, you do it with heart, you do it with integrity, and you do it with purpose,” Stowe said.  

Stowe was the first person in her family to have graduated with a college degree. Through her work as a lecturer and philanthropist, she has helped and will help many others access and finish college.   

Her family is also making a mark on CSUB in another way. Like her, Stowe has three daughters that all graduated from CSUB. Her grandson, a sophomore in high school, wants to attend CSUB, too.  

“Apparently, we’re building a legacy on campus,” Stowe said with a laugh.  

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