[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 23 (Tuesday, February 12, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E168]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING PRESIDENT JOLENE KOESTER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRAD SHERMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 12, 2008

  Mr. SHERMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an 
extraordinary public servant dedicated to promoting the intellectual, 
economic and cultural contributions of the San Fernando Valley, 
California State University, Northridge President Jolene Koester. This 
year, the Encino-Tarzana Hospital Charitable Foundation is honoring Dr. 
Koester with the Tree of Life Award for her educational and civic 
contributions.
  As a visionary leader in the San Fernando Valley, Dr. Koester has 
transformed California State University, Northridge into one of the 
State's premier higher education institutions. CSUN is a vibrant, 
diverse and accessible university community of nearly 34,000 students 
and more than 4,000 faculty and staff. This year, CSUN will celebrate 
its 50th anniversary as the only public university located in Los 
Angeles' San Fernando Valley--home to about 1.8 million residents.
  Dr. Koester began her appointment as the fourth president of 
California State University, Northridge on July 1, 2000. Prior to her 
appointment, Dr. Koester served as provost and vice president for 
Academic Affairs at California State University, Sacramento. She earned 
a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Minnesota, a Master of Arts 
in communication arts from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a 
Ph.D. in speech communication from Minnesota.
  An active member of the community, Dr. Koester has served on the 
boards of directors for the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, the 
Economic Alliance of the San Fernando Valley, the Valley Industry & 
Commerce Association, the Southern California Biomedical Council, and 
the Los Angeles Economy & Jobs Committee. Dr. Koester is a recognized 
leader in higher education in the State of California, and has received 
numerous civic and business awards for her commitment to furthering the 
excellence of California State University, Northridge.
  Dr. Koester was recently appointed as Chair-Elect of the American 
Association of State Colleges and Universities. As Chair-Elect of one 
of the country's most prestigious higher education advocacy 
organizations, she will have the unique opportunity to represent over 
three million students at 430 public colleges and universities. 
Moreover, she will advocate on behalf of the association in support of 
public policies extending higher education to underrepresented and 
first-generation college students throughout the country.
  Madam Speaker, I wish to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Dr. 
Jolene Koester for receiving the Tree of Life Award from the Encino-
Tarzana Hospital Charitable Foundation. Dr. Koester has exhibited 
strong leadership skills and a commitment to education that will 
benefit California State University, Northridge, the San Fernando 
Valley and the Los Angeles region for years to come.

                          ____________________