For almost a decade, President F. King Alexander has been the “yin” to Cal State Long Beach’s “yang.”
It is nearly impossible to mention CSULB in conversation without bringing up Alexander’s name. From playing basketball with students at the Student Recreation and Wellness Center to representing CSULB at numerous meetings with President Barack Obama, Alexander has done it all.
But now, Alexander’s time is nearing to a close — on July 1, to be exact.
Since Alexander’s appointment as president of the Louisiana State University system in March, Cal State University Chancellor Timothy P. White has been searching for someone to temporarily fill Alexander’s vacant shoes.
While the CSU Board of Trustees searches for a new permanent CSULB president, the capable Provost Donald J. Para has taken on the role of the university’s interim president.
The Daily 49er editorial board supports the decision to name Para as interim president of CSULB.
Out of the many qualified faculty and administrators that work at CSULB, we believe Para is the best-qualified to lead the campus through its transition phase.
However, while the Board deliberates about who will officially lead CSULB into a new “era,” it is important for the incoming interim president to maintain Alexander’s level of commitment towards the university.
Student success, above all else, should be Para’s first priority. Maintaining an open and friendly relationship with students was one of Alexander’s greatest attributes.
Hopefully Para will do the same.
Anyone who questions Para’s credentials have little to base their argument upon, though, because Para’s track record proves otherwise.
In 1988, Para started his tenure at CSULB as a music professor. In addition to being a professor, he served as chair of the music department for 12 years.
From there, Para became associate dean of the College of the Arts, then moved up to dean of the College of the Arts for eight years.
Most recently, Para has served as provost and vice president for academic affairs at CSULB since 2010.
His experience is grounds enough to appoint him as interim president. Also, this experience will allow him to maintain stability for the university through its transition phase.
We at the Daily 49er are confident in Para’s capability to serve as interim president. Let’s just hope he meets our expectations.