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Campus: CSU Long Beach -- March 11, 2002
President at California State University, Long Beach Named `University President of the Year' by California State Student Association
For the second time in the four-year existence of the award, Cal State
Long Beach President Robert C. Maxson has been named "University
President of the Year" by the California State Student Association
(CSSA).
The CSSA is the single recognized voice for the more than 388,000 students
on 23 campuses in the California State University system. Founded in 1959,
the CSSA is the acknowledged statewide student organization designed to
represent, serve and protect the collective interests of students in the
CSU system. Its overall mission is to maintain and enhance the accessibility
of quality education for the people of California.
Maxson was presented with the award at CSSA's Legislative Awards Banquet
in Sacramento last Monday (March 4). The banquet was the final event of
the seventh annual California Higher Education Students Summit, a three-day
leadership and legislative conference that draws CSU student leaders from
around the state.
"President Maxson is very deserving of this award," said Robert
Garcia, chair of CSSA and a former student body president at Cal State
Long Beach. "He has shown a commitment to improving not only campus
pride but pride across the entire CSU system. He has also shown a commitment
to reaching out to every single student on his campus."
Garcia noted that Maxson was nominated for the award by the student body
presidents at CSU Chico and Cal State L.A. He also said the Cal State
Long Beach president received a standing ovation from students when he
came forward to receive his award.
"He is well-known and highly regarded by all the student governments
in the CSU system," Garcia pointed out. "He has a keen and clearly
visible passion for Cal State Long Beach, and he effectively communicates
his goals and his vision for the university to his students."
Maxson, who began his tenure as CSULB's president in 1994, has served
on a number of system-wide committees and is, in fact, entering his second
term as chair of the Presidents' Commission on Teacher Education. On campus,
he is also very active, speaking at meetings of various student organizations
and meeting regularly with the student President's Advisory Board.
"Bob Maxson is the best president I have worked with as it relates
to students," said Charles Reed, chancellor of the CSU system. "He
spends more time, gives more attention, and has more concern for students
than any president I know."
His leadership on campus and involvement in the community have earned
him several awards, including the District VII Executive Leadership Award
from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, and the
"Man of the Year" awards from the Greater Long Beach National
Conference for Community and Justice and the American Jewish Committee.
He also was honored last year by the Irvine Valley College Foundation
for his firm dedication to helping students throughout Southern California
find their way to academic success. |