George Deukmejian

Honorary Degrees
 
 

George DeukmejianGeorge Deukmejian

Former California Governor/Attorney

California State University, Long Beach

The Honorable George Deukmejian has been a dedicated and influential political and civic leader for more than 45 years. His tireless efforts and numerous accomplishments have made a significant impact on the history, direction and development of California, and the city of Long Beach and its citizens.

Elected the 35th Governor of California in 1982, Mr. Deukmejian served two four-year terms and led the state until 1991. In each of his eight state budgets, education was the state’s highest funding priority. Support for kindergarten through 12th grade increased more than 115 percent. Funding for the California State University, the University of California and community colleges also was substantially increased.

Mr. Deukmejian began serving the public in 1962 when he was elected to represent Long Beach in the California State Assembly. He served two terms and was named Minority Whip in 1965. In 1966, he became a state senator, and by 1969, he was the Majority Leader in the Senate, where he served until 1979. He authored more than 180 laws during his 16 years in the legislature and also served as California Attorney General from 1979 to 1983.

After serving as governor, Mr. Deukmejian remained active by serving on special commissions, including one to reform the California penal system and a charter-reform commission in Long Beach. A resident of Long Beach for some 50 years, he also took an interest in his community’s state university.

In 1993, he chaired a committee responsible for raising funds for the Disabled Student Services program at California State University, Long Beach, an effort that raised more than $1.5 million. More recently, he and his wife, Gloria, donated more than $100,000 to the program to fund a campus scholarship—the George and Gloria Deukmejian Scholarship for Students with Disabilities.

Therefore, in recognition of his political and civic accomplishments and his continuing efforts in the community, the Board of Trustees of the California State University and California State University, Long Beach are proud to confer upon the Honorable George Deukmejian the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws.