Cal State Fullerton President Is Grand Marshal Feb. 2
Gordon to Lead Orange County Black History Parade in Santa Ana
January 31, 2008 :: No. 143
Cal State Fullerton President Milton A. Gordon is this year’s grand marshal for the Saturday, Feb. 2, Orange County Black History Parade in Santa Ana.
Stepping off at 10 a.m., the parade begins at 17th and Broadway, continuing down Broadway to Civic Center Drive West and ending at Flower Street, where attendees can take part in a cultural fair, featuring inventions by African Americans.
The event is free, and the public is being encouraged to line the parade route.
“Dr. Gordon is a giant in higher education, and that’s why he is our grand marshal,” said Alberta Christy, the event’s organizer.
During Gordon’s 17 years as president of Cal State Fullerton, the university has reached the highest enrollment of all the 23 California State University campuses, and U.S. News & World Report ranks it among the nation’s top 10 public universities-master’s institutions in the West. The many community partnerships forged during Gordon’s tenure include the Grand Central Art Center in the heart of Santa Ana’s Artists Village, where graduate students live and pursue their art, and community members attend classes and tour gallery exhibits.
Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education ranks Cal State Fullerton second in California and sixth in the nation in its listing of the top 100 colleges and universities awarding bachelor’s degrees to Latinos. In addition, Diverse Issues in Higher Education ranks CSUF seventh in the nation for bachelor’s degrees awarded to minority students.
Born in Chicago in 1935, Gordon earned his bachelor’s degree in mathematics and secondary education from Xavier University, his master’s degree in mathematics from the University of Detroit and his doctorate in mathematics from the Illinois Institute of Technology.
Before joining CSUF, Gordon was vice president for academic affairs at Sonoma State University. He also had been dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Chicago State University and associate professor of mathematics at Loyola University of Chicago.
His many honors include the Chief Executive Officer Leadership Award from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, Cesar Chavez Community Service Award from the Hispanic Bar Association of Orange County, Manager of the Year Award from the Orange County Chapter of the Society of Advancement of Management and Orange County NAACP Citizens of Distinction Award.
More information about the Orange County Black History and Cultural Faire, is available online: www.ocblackhistoryparade.com.
| Media Contacts: | Mimi Ko Cruz, Public Affairs, 657-278-7586 or mkocruz@fullerton.edu |
