Gene Bluestein teaching American Studies in Japan.

Gene Bluestein was awarded a BA degree from Brooklyn College and MA and PhD degrees (in American Studies) from the University of Minnesota. His first job was teaching English at Michigan State University. He came to Fresno State University, now CSUF, in 1963. While there, he was awarded many local and national honors, including three teaching Fulbright fellowships (once to Finland and twice to Japan). He also taught in France in 1975, and in China in 1989. At CSUF, he and a colleague were instrumental in establishing a Black Studies program.

Bessie Jones of the Georgia Sea Islands with Gene Bluestein

He also created a program sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts, which brought many nationally-known folk artists to the university, among them: Kenny Hall, Bessie Jones, Richard Hogopian, Jean Ritchie, Lydia Mendoza, and Dewey Balfa. The artists taught courses in their specialties and were available to local schools, at no charge. Bluestein has authored numerous scholarly articles and books. He retired from CSUF in 1992 and served as Professor of English Emeritus until his death in August 2002.

Richard Hagopian presented Armenian culture at public schools during folk residency.