UC Merced chief enjoys first day
Fresno Bee 3/2/07
He enthusiastically approached a group of Chowchilla High School students touring the campus and immediately began talking about the benefits of higher education.
"It's exciting because they are the future," Kang beamed. "We want to attract students and provide excellent learning opportunities."
Kang, 62, will spend his next few weeks in that fashion, getting acquainted with students, administrators and regional leaders throughout the San Joaquin Valley and as far south as Bakersfield.
"He'll have his own agenda, and we're looking forward to working with him and advancing UC Merced," said Janet Young, assistant chancellor and chief of staff.
Kang was named UC Merced's new chancellor by the University of California Board of Regents in January after he spent several years as dean of UC Santa Cruz's school of engineering.
He is UC Merced's second chancellor, following in the footsteps of the school's founding chancellor, Carol Tomlinson-Keasey. Roderic Park served as interim chancellor.
During his campus visits Thursday, Kang reiterated his goals of working with administrators to advance UC Merced's plans to eventually establish a medical school. He also spoke of his desire to transform UC Merced from a startup campus into a regional economic generator.
"Hopefully through research outcomes we can excite more startup of new companies creating more job opportunities to help improve the economy," Kang said. "I think with the medical school we can help improve the health facilities in the region."
Kang's appointment to the chancellor seat comes during a critical time for the campus.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is expected to release an environmental impact report in April in regard to UC Merced's plans to expand its campus an additional 900 acres.
The report will be significant because the university needs a wetlands permit from the corps to make those plans happen.
Kang also will be faced with coming up with ways to more than triple the university's enrollment of 1,285 students within the next five to 10 years.
"We will recruit more outstanding professors, and they will be the magnet ," Kang said. "We are developing more majors, which will attract more students, and we are also improving the living conditions and recreational opportunities of students in the region."
Kang also said that he plans to keep an open line of communication with students by having an "open door policy," where students can come to his office during certain hours and offer their thoughts about campus issues.
Many students who met with Kang on Thursday said they are enthusiastic about their new chancellor.
"I really didn't have too much experience with the last chancellor, but when I heard she was resigning, it was a shock because she was so involved with the creation of the school," said student Ross Anastos, 20, from San Francisco. "Hopefully he'll pick up the ball and continue the good job."
Student Efferman Ezell, 20, from Compton, said he previously had lunch with Kang, and expressed his concerns about the chancellor being able to meet the needs of each department.
"He was very adamant in catering to all the needs and allowing student voices to be heard," Ezell said. "He was kind and nice. He really wants to know your name, where you're from, what major and what year. He's really an interesting person, and I am glad to have him here."