Events in the news this week.
Jewel Plummer Cobb, who has presided over Cal State Fullerton for the last nine years, steps down from the presidency Tuesday. Cobb’s retirement--and that of three other California State University presidents who are 65 or older--was requested by now-ousted CSU Chancellor W. Ann Reynolds.
Cobb took over the presidency at Cal State Fullerton on Oct. 1, 1981. Changes during her tenure include a marked increase in female and minority staff and students, tougher academic standards, the first hotel on a state college campus and a satellite campus in fast-growing South County.
Cobb’s successor, Milton A. Gordon, must contend with a financially troubled athletics program and the recruitment of qualified faculty to high-priced Orange County.
Cobb will settle in Los Angeles, where she plans to do educational consulting work and continue her research as a cell biologist.
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