Chosen • President
Robert C. Maxson and his successor,
F. King Alexander, shake hands before
Alexander leaves to catch a flight
back to Kentucky. Tracey Roman / Online
Forty-Niner
Students share reactions about Alexander
By Joseph Serna
Online Forty-Niner
Contributing Writer
Students and faculty have good things to say about F. King Alexander of Murray
State University in Kentucky, chosen by the California State University Board
of Trustees and Chancellor Charles B. Reed to be the next president of Cal State
Long Beach.
“
I think that he’ll do an outstanding job,” said current the president,
Robert C. Maxson. “He’s going to bring in new ideas.”
Though a new perspective is welcomed, the Board was also looking for someone
who could best take the reins and continue the successful legacy of Maxson, said
Craig Smith, faculty representative on the CSU Board of Trustees and film and
electronic arts department chairman at CSULB.
Alexander was chosen over Gary Reichard, CSULB provost and vice president of
Academic Affairs, and two other finalists who dropped out before the final interviews
last week.
“
I think someone that has already been at our school and already knows our problems
is good,” said Janine Maxon, a business management student. “But
on the other [hand], someone from the outside might bring something new.”
Unable to find anything specifically wrong at CSULB, liberal studies major
Maggie Zavala wants Alexander to, “just keep it the same.”
For some, keeping it the same is a large task, considering he is taking the place
of Maxson.
“
He has big shoes to fill from President Maxson,” said Sal Torres, a business
finance student.
For Maxson, it does not seem Alexander is at CSULB to fill his shoes and fit
in the same mold; he is here to contribute even more to the largest CSU in California.
“
It’s not supposed to stay the way it was,” Maxson said.
Showing signs of disappointment that Reichard didn’t get the job, one
grad student said she wished CSULB faculty and staff had more input in the
final decision.
“
It would be nice if faculty and staff were on the committee,” said Kristin
Clemens, a student development in higher education grad student.
While the four finalists chosen to succeed Maxson came from an advisory board
made up of CSULB students, faculty, staff and alumni, the final choice for
Maxson’s
successor came down to the CSU Board of Trustees and CSU Chancellor Charles
B. Reed.
“
He has a real appreciation for the fact that nothing needs to be fixed,” said
Reichard, who will remain in his current position. “We have a bright
future and he understands that.”
The earliest Alexander will assume the role of president of CSULB is in January.
For now, he is returning to Murray State University in Kentucky.
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