Koester Installed as University Head
Cal State Northridge President Jolene Koester just couldn’t stop smiling during her inauguration Thursday.
With clouds threatening to rain on the outdoor affair, a chill settling on the lawn of the Oviatt Library and protesters making a ruckus in front of Koester’s bosses on her big day, she opened up the lobe-to-lobe grin Northridge students have come to recognize.
Perhaps too she got the joke that she was being installed officially in a position she has held for eight months.
Koester, 53, beamed as colleagues in full academic regalia and subordinates heaped on praises for her working to involve students more in the San Fernando Valley community around the campus and for initiatives to lift graduation rates.
Koester is the university’s fourth president in its 43 years.
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