White discussed retention and diversity initiatives over lunch with student leaders at the J, met with members of the local community, and held an open forum for students, faculty and staff. He had an opportunity to visit the Marine Lab in Trinidad. He also stopped in to observe several classes, and toured the new Human Performance Lab, of particular interest to White, who received a Ph.D. in Kinesiology from UC Berkeley.
Throughout his visit, White engaged with students. He learned about their studies and lives, and even stopping to toss a Frisbee with some students in the Redwood Bowl. He came away impressed. “The level of thoughtfulness and intellectual depth of your students is something you need to be proud of,” said White. “You have an amazing intellectual commitment from these men and women.”
During the campus open forum, White fielded questions on a range of topics from the budget challenges facing CSU, to how to better support underrepresented students, and how to enhance the diversity of our students, faculty and staff. He also spoke about his experiences as a product of the California public education system, having attended Diablo County Community College, Cal State Fresno, CSU Hayward (now East Bay) and UC Berkeley. “We are the biggest engine of social progress for individual students and their families and their communities.”
White stressed how impressed he was with Humboldt State and its students. “They have a spirit about place. It is a unique feel. It’s very palpable when you get on campus,” he said. “I’m very, very proud of our students.”
To listen to Chancellor White’s exclusive interview with KHSU, click here.
To see more photos from Chancellor White’s visit, check out our flickr gallery.