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Maxson
retirement met with student disappointment,
regret
By
David Whisler
Online Forty-Niner
Staff Writer
An
air of sadness fell over Cal State Long
Beach last Thursday as students, faculty
and staff arrived and began to hear of President
Robert C. Maxson's plans to retire.
Many
people say that Maxson has done more for
this campus than any other California State
University president in history. It was
hard to find someone who disagreed.
Trevor
Smith, a sophomore history major and a campus
tour guide, said he chose CSULB because
of the President's Scholars program Maxon
created. The program provides free tuition
for valedictorians and National Merit Finalists
and Semifinalists.
"I'm
bummed," he said, "I can't imagine
what it's going to be like here without
him."
Smith's
older brother is also a President's Scholar,
an example of the type of family legacy
that is not uncommon at CSULB.
"He's
really campaigned for us," President's
Scholar and liberal studies major Amy Douglass
said. "He has always worked hard for
our program and made sure we were taken
care of."
One
of Maxson's most oft-mentioned qualities
is his ability to remember students' names,
and call them by name when he sees them
on campus. This is no small task on a campus
of more than 34,000.
"It
will be difficult to replace him because
he is so enthusiastic," senior Cecile
Hwang said. "He makes such an effort
to remember each individual student."
Many
students commend Maxson for his approachability.
He's the kind of president that you can
stop and say hello to, and he's actually
interested in how your classes are going
or what your opinions are, they said.
"He
really has a great deal of compassion for
all of his students," freshman biochem
major Shelia Soroushian said. "I remember
being in a bit of a jam myself and how he
was so willing to help, although he was
under no obligation."
Maxson's
wife, associate professor Sylvia Maxson,
also plans to retire.
"It's
going to be hard to find someone as dedicated
as he is," graphic design major Henny
Setiadi said, "I just hope that he
and his wife Sylvia will still be a part
of our campus."
President
Maxson's reach goes far beyond current CSULB
students. Evelyn A.R. Daliwan began working
for the university one month prior to Maxson's
presidency and is also a graduate of the
psychology department.
"I
have felt valued because of the open and
appreciative attitude exhibited by the president
for the staff and faculty," she said,
"Because of him, the university now
enjoys a much-improved academic reputation,
and that makes me very proud to say I am
also an alum from The Beach."
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