|
President’s
Scholars program grows under Maxson’s
leadership
By David Whisler
Online Forty-Niner
Copy Editor
At this year’s convocation, President Robert C. Maxson introduced the newest
crop of President’s Scholars to the crowd, bringing the total number of
California high school valedictorians, National Merit Finalists and Semi-Finalists
who have participated in the program to nearly 800.
The introductions have become an integral and much anticipated part of the yearly
celebration, but prior to Maxson’s presidency, the President’s Scholars
Program did not exist.
Maxson modeled the program after his successful program at the University of
Nevada, Las Vegas. The program offers an array of perks, including full payment
of tuition and student fees, room and board, priority registration, a textbook
allowance and even a special backpack.
The President’s Scholars Program has grown significantly over the years.
The 1995 inaugural class had only 10 students and most recently the class of
2005 boasted 67. Most class sizes have hovered near 70.
University Outreach and School Relations Director Valerie Bordeaux has administered
the program since its inception.
“ When you come to work and know that you’re appreciated and you
have a leader who is supportive of you, you give it your all,” she said.
Bordeaux recalled her first meeting with Maxson to discuss the President’s
Scholars Program.
“ He told me in four years we’d have 250 [President’s Scholars]
on campus,” she said. “He was as excited and focused on that goal
as he is [about the program] now.”
That meeting took place in spring 1995. By 1999, there were over 300 scholars
on campus and today approximately 375 are currently enrolled.
Over the years, President’s Scholars have gone on to some of the most prestigious
careers and graduate programs in the country, as well as positions at CSULB.
Dina Butler, who entered the program in its inaugural year, is currently the
assistant to the dean of the College of Liberal Arts.
Senior journalism major and Daily Forty-Niner news editor Jennifer Frehn is a
scholar from the incoming class of 2002.
“ I remember when I came to visit the campus for the first time, President
Maxson introduced himself, and I was impressed by the fact that the university
president made time for us,” she said. “That spoke a lot about him
as a leader and his ‘Go Beach!’ attitude introduced me to what it
means to have Beach Pride.”
To many scholars, Maxson’s decision to depart was surprising and saddening.
“ I didn’t believe it at first,” said Jessica Taylor, a third-year
liberal studies major and President’s Scholar. “He’s been here
the past few years I’ve been here and he is pretty much this school. I
always think about him when I think about the scholarship. He’s the reason
most of us are here.
Without this scholarship, I wouldn’t be able to go
to school here, and [the President’s Scholars] all got really lucky with
that. He will definitely be missed and I hope he stays around and stays active
with the school.”
“ It’s been a very, very special 11 years,” Bordeaux said. “He
knows who we are, this is his campus.”
|
