[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 59 (Friday, April 11, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E735]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO DR. DONALD GERTH

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT T. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 10, 2003

  Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in tribute to a man with a 
truly distinguished career in academia. To say that Dr. Donald Gerth 
has made an indelible mark in higher education would only begin to skim 
the surface of the many wonderful contributions that he has made as an 
educator since he took his first teaching job in 1947 as a substitute 
high school math teacher. After more than a half-century of outstanding 
public service, Dr. Gerth will soon retire from the post of President 
of California State University, Sacramento. As his family, friends, 
colleagues, and admirers gather to celebrate Dr. Gerth's illustrious 
career, I ask all my colleagues to join me in saluting one of 
Sacramento most outstanding citizen leaders.
  Dr. Gerth earned his Bachelor's of Arts, Master's, and Doctorate 
degrees in Political Science at the prestigious University of Chicago. 
Upon completion of his education, Dr. Gerth applied his great expertise 
in Asian political systems by serving as an Air Force Intelligence 
Captain from 1952-1956. After his stint in the Air Force, Dr. Gerth 
joined the staff of his alma mater, University of Chicago.
  In 1958, Dr. Gerth and his wife, Ms. Beverly J. Gerth, moved west to 
California and began his forty-five year association with the 
California State University system. From 1958 to 1963, Dr. Gerth served 
as Associate Dean of Students and member of the Department of 
Government from 1958-1963. In 1964, Dr. Gerth accepted the post of 
Professor of Political Science at California State University, Chico in 
1964. During his twelve-year tenure at California State University, 
Chico, Dr. Gerth also served as Vice President for Academic Affairs 
from 1970-1976. In addition, Dr. Gerth also lent his valuable services 
to the university through his roles as Dean of Students, Coordinator of 
the Institute for Local Government and Public Service and Public 
Administration, and Co-Director of a Danforth Foundation Research 
Project on improvement of undergraduate teaching. Dr. Gerth's 
willingness to tackle a variety of challenges is a testament to his 
steadfast commitment to bring about positive changes in higher 
learning.
  In 1976, Dr. Gerth was appointed the President of California State 
University, Dominguez Hills, a post that he would hold for eight years. 
In July of 1984, Dr. Gerth was named the President of California State 
University, Sacramento. California State University has experienced 
significant increases in enrollment and number of degrees awarded under 
Dr. Gerth's stewardship. California State University, Sacramento is now 
the sixth largest campus in the twenty three-campus California State 
University system. In recent years, California State University, 
Sacramento has initiated many new opportunities for learning such as 
some year-round programs, evening and weekend offerings, offcampus 
sites, and technology-based classes via computer or television. It is 
evident that Dr. Gerth's leadership has played an instrumental role in 
making California State University, Sacramento one of the most 
important universities in the state of California.
  In addition to his duties as President of California State 
University, Sacramento, Dr. Gerth is also one of the most influential 
policy leaders in higher education. Dr. Gerth is the past President of 
the International Association of University Presidents from 1996-1999. 
He also served as a member of the Advisory Committee on Higher 
Education to the Director-General and as a member of the seven-person 
Steering Committee for the World Conference on Higher Education held in 
1998. Dr. Gerth was recently appointed by the U.N. Secretary General 
and the Director-General of UNESCO to a six-year term on the United 
Nations University Council, the governing board of the United Nations 
University is headquartered in Tokyo. It gives me great comfort to know 
that Dr. Gerth will continue to share his wealth of knowledge and 
experience in higher education with the world in his retirement.
  Mr. Speaker, as Dr Gerth's friends, family, and colleagues gather to 
celebrate his great career, I am honored to pay tribute to one of 
Sacramento's most honorable citizens. Dr. Gerth's continuous leadership 
is a true testament to public service. If a template for commitment to 
education could be made, it would surely bear the resemblance of my 
dear friend Dr. Donald Gerth. Although his tenure as university 
President may soon be over, his involvement in community service and 
education is, fortunate for us, far from over. I ask all of my 
colleagues to join with me in wishing Dr. Donald Gerth continued 
success in all his future endeavors.




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