Speech • During
Friday’s convocation, President
Maxson looks back on his time at CSULB. Bradley
Zint
/ Daily Forty-Niner
President
Maxson delivers final convocation address
By
Bradley Zint
Online Forty-Niner
Opinion Editor
Cal State Long Beach President Robert C. Maxson gave a heartfelt speech in
the Carpenter Center before an audience that both admired his contribution
to CSULB and expressed sorrow over his upcoming retirement.
But beneath the pomp and circumstance and discussion of the past and future,
the theme at the 2005 Convocation that could best be described in three words:
Maxson, Maxson, Maxson.
“This is the year our gifted leader will step away from the helm,” said
Provost and Senior Vice President Gary W. Reichard. “We will feel a great
sense of loss.”
Margaret Merryfield, chairwoman of the Academic Senate, who also spoke, even
remarked that once during a meeting the other members learned of her background
in biochemistry and jokingly asked if she knew anything about cloning.
Such quips truly express a campus-wide desire to continue the Maxson era and
legacy.
Merryfield also stated her impressions of the campus community upon learning
of Maxson’s leaving. She explained how the populace began the cycle from
initial denial to eventual acceptance, with high hopes for the future that
the new president will continue in The Beach’s tradition of excellence
and scholarship.
Merryfield also passed on additional words of wisdom from students for students
to always ask questions and give mutual respect for their fellow classmates.
When it was finally Maxson’s turn to address the audience, his presentation
began with a widespread standing ovation and enthusiastic cheer as he took
his place behind the podium for his final convocation address as president.
With earnest delivery, he began his speech by vividly discussing his daily
routine.
“Early every morning when I turn off Bellflower Boulevard onto State University
Drive, I start smiling,” Maxson said. “I start smiling first because
the beauty of this campus is just breathtaking. And remember, I grew up in the
South where the grass is greener, the sky bluer, and the flowers prettier than
almost anywhere — except here.”
He went on further discussing what he describes his “best of the best” staff
that “keep the wheels of administration turning so the faculty and students
are able to do the primary work of the university.”
“...I have the pleasure of working with the most intelligent and dedicated
staff all across the campus, often doing what they do without notice and without
fanfare,” Maxson said. “But I notice, and I’ve always noticed.”
Maxson mentioned his continual central benevolent attitude towards the students
themselves, as evidenced by his often-seen strolls around campus amongst them
exchanging laughs and giving handshakes and high-fives.
He also did not fail to thank the faculty for their contributions.
“In all the places I’ve served, I’ve never been around a better
faculty than this one,” Maxson said. “Most of you on your merits
alone could go to any other university in the country. I believe you are here
because you choose to be here, because you recognize that this is a special place
at a special time and you want to be a part of it.”
With regards to the university’s academic mission, Maxson stated, “You
have never forgotten that the primary function of a university is to create
knowledge, to search for the truth and to express visions of reality through
art.”
To conclude his speech, he referred to a quotation about leadership. “Remember
the great line about leadership attributed to Ghandi? ‘There go my people — I
must hurry to get out in front of them!’ That’s what I’ve
done — I’ve just hurried to get out in front of you.”
In an act of modesty after concluding his address with CSULB’s signature
phrase, “Go Beach!”, Maxson quickly left the stage to return to
his seat, the audience providing a standing ovation once again with thunderous
applause.
Also recognized at the Convocation was the new class of President’s Scholars,
CSULB’s premier scholarship program. Even though this new class is entering
the university just as their program’s founder is leaving, a few Scholars
could still appreciate Maxson’s profound effect.
“It’s hard not to see the impact he’s done,” said Brandon
Loop, a freshman President’s Scholar and biology major.
Rosemarie Holcomb, a freshman President’s Scholar and physics major,
described how Maxson helped her feel at home at The Beach when she toured it
for the first time. Even as a new student, she could witness his powerful and
influential presence.
“It seems like he’s the heart of the school,” Holcomb said. |
