Maxson gets high praise

By Jeff Dusing
Daily Forty-Niner

Cal State Long Beach President Robert Maxson was honored Thursday night by the non-profit organization Leadership Long Beach.

Maxson received the Excellence in Leadership award for his collaboration in education that has become a national model, according to Jane Roeder Wallace, Leadership Long Beach's executive director.

"I feel it's an honor for the University. When I accept this tonight, I accept it on behalf of the University," Maxson said.

Carl Cohn, Long Beach Unified School District superintendent, and E. Jan Kehoe, superintendent and president of the Long Beach Community College District, were honored at the ceremony with President Maxson.

"We are honoring three of the most renowned educators in America," said Long Beach Mayor Beverly O'Neill, the event's master of ceremonies. "Their leadership has taken education in Long Beach to new levels, and they've done it by working in partnership."

Leadership Long Beach acknowledges the work of community leaders who work for community enrichment.

"To be able to honor three leaders who are such models of exemplary leadership is very special for us," Wallace said.

Since joining CSULB in1994, Maxson has shared his goals and asked for the assistance of the university and the community to achieve them.

The organization honored Maxson for leading by example and for making CSULB one of the leading universities in the nation, Wallace said.

The evening, which began with a reception at 6 p.m., followed by the awards ceremony and a $175 per plate dinner, had a prestigious guest list, including former 49er and State Senator Betty Karnette.

"I think President Maxson is the best representative of Cal State Long Beach," Karnette said. "He understands people and he goes about his job in a people kind of way."