California State University Channel Islands (CI) was founded in 2001 (in Camarillo, CA) and admitted its first students in 2002. Over the ensuing decade, the campus has transitioned from a start-up institution to a regionally accredited comprehensive university offering 23 baccalaureate and 6 graduate degree programs. This transition has occurred during a period of frequent and substantial changes in the university's external and internal environments. This paper first describes the founding and early history of the university. Next, it presents "lessons learned" in several categories: establishing and following a Mission, creating an organizational culture, hiring and developing employees (faculty, staff administrators), and university building through the accreditation process. Finally, since the founding president and many of the founding faculty and founding administrators are still at the campus, the paper discusses the challenge of sustaining early successes as campus founders separate from the university.