Campus: Humboldt State University -- February 20, 2002

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Finalists Named for Humboldt State University Presidency

Four higher education leaders from California and across the country have been named as finalists for the presidency of Humboldt State University, one of the 23 campuses of the California State University.

The four, and the dates they will visit the campus, are:
  • Linda L. Baer, senior vice chancellor for academic affairs and student affairs at Minnesota State Colleges and Universities – Monday, March 4.

  • Dennis L. Hefner, president of the State University of New York, Fredonia – Thursday, February 28.

  • Scott G. McNall, provost and vice president for academic affairs, California State University, Chico –Wednesday, February 27.

  • Rollin C. Richmond, provost, Iowa State University – Monday, February 25.
Each of the four will spend a day on the campus, meeting faculty, staff, students and the community. There will be an open forum each of the days, from 10-11 a.m. in the Van Duzer Theatre on campus, that is open to the campus community and the public. (There also will be media access immediately following the open forum.)

A new president is expected to be named the week of March 11 by the California State University Board of Trustees, which will be meeting in Sacramento that week for a trustees' meeting. The new president will succeed current President Alistair McCrone, who is retiring in June after serving as president since 1974, the longest serving president in the CSU system.

"We have four outstanding candidates, anyone of whom could lead Humboldt State into the next century," said Trustee Debra Farar, chair of the search committee. "They are energetic, have strong university experiences and are ready to face the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in higher education."

Baer holds degrees in sociology from South Dakota State University, Colorado State University and Washington State University. She has been at the Minnesota system since 1997. Previously she was in administrative and academic positions at Bemidji State University in Minnesota, 1990-97, and at South Dakota State University, 1983-90.

Hefner has been at SUNY Fredonia since 1996, and previously was in academic and administrative positions at the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, 1994-96; at CSU Monterey Bay in 1994; CSU San Bernardino, 1990-94; and at CSU Chico, 1972-90 (with a year out for research). His degrees in economics are from Washington State University and CSU Chico.

McNall holds degrees in sociology from the University of Oregon and Portland State University. He has been at CSU Chico since 1994. Previously he was in various administrative and academic positions at the University of Toledo, 1989-94; University of Kansas, 1976-89 (with a couple years off for research); Arizona State University, 1970-76; and the University of Minnesota, 1965-69.

Richmond holds degrees in genetics from the Rockefeller University and in zoology from San Diego State University. He has been at Iowa State since 1999. Previously, he held academic and administrative positions at SUNY, Stony Brook, 1995-99; University of Southern Florida, 1990-95; and Indiana University, 1970-1990 (with a short leave time at North Carolina State University).

The search for a new president began in October 2001. The committee was composed of CSU trustees, a CSU president and representatives of Humboldt State faculty, staff, students, alumni and the community.

Humboldt State is consistently cited as being in the top 10 percent of all U.S. colleges and universities for academic quality. More than 400 faculty teach 7,500 students in the arts, humanities, social sciences and natural sciences. More than 100 undergraduate, graduate and pre-professional programs are offered. Humboldt is especially noted for small class- size, low student-faculty ratio, time-to-graduation, graduation rate and job placements for graduates.

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