Remarks by Timothy P. White
Chancellor, California State University
Coro Southern California – Crystal Eagle Award Gala
Los Angeles, CA
May 4, 2017
It is a great joy to be here tonight… to celebrate Coro Southern California’s 60th anniversary and to honor an outstanding colleague and leader,
Peter Taylor.
You know, as a trustee of the California State University… Peter, along with the other 21 trustees, serve as my boss.
So… while I would normally take this opportunity to perhaps lightly sauté or even roast the honoree… I will, having received a risk analysis by Cal State’s general counsel on the statutory authority granted to trustees for removing CSU chancellors at will, instead tread very, very lightly.
I first became aware of Peter’s tenacity and brilliance at the University of California… me, as the leader of UC Riverside, and Peter as chief financial officer of the 10-campus UC system.
In many ways, Peter was my boss then, too. As I am sure he learned the Golden Rule during his time as a Coro fellow… He or she that holds the gold makes the rules.
Certainly, throughout my time working closely with Peter… both at the UC and now at the CSU… I can say unequivocally that there are few others in this world, let alone state, who are more deserving of the
Crystal Eagle Award than he.
I have seen firsthand Peter’s deep commitment to public higher education in California, and to ensuring that we have the innovative tools, innovative people and resources to fulfill our promise and achieve our mission… serving California’s future through inclusive and excellence education and research.
I have experienced Peter’s unwavering passion to ensure that all students – regardless of circumstance, status or background – have the same opportunities for academic and lifelong success.
And I have greatly admired the immense care and thoughtfulness that Peter places into every single decision and action – no matter the topic – that he makes as trustee.
Thank you, Peter, for all that you do –
and will do – for the students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of the California State University… and indeed, in service to the people of California.
It is now my great pleasure to introduce my boss… trustee, colleague and friend… Peter Taylor.
Peter?