College President Undergoes Surgery

Glendale Community College President Rex Craig was in good condition Wednesday after emergency surgery earlier this week for lymphatic cancer, a spokeswoman for Memorial Hospital of Glendale said.

Craig, 47, was taken to the hospital Monday night after complaining of back pains. He had learned of the disease last month during a routine physical examination, college trustee Phillip Kazanjian said.

The board of trustees Tuesday night appointed John Davitt, vice president of instructional services, to fill the president’s position until Craig returns.

The surgery to remove a tumor was “very successful,” the spokeswoman said, and Craig is expected to leave the hospital sometime this week. Craig, who has been president of the college for three years, is expected to return to his post in the next few weeks, trustees said.