Farewell for Former President Lyons Held in Loker Student Union

A farewell reception for former President James E. Lyons, Sr. was held in the Ballroom of the Loker Student Union on February 26. Lyons had originally announced his retirement last fall. However, in December, he was offered and accepted the appointment of Secretary of Higher Education for the state of Maryland, necessitating an early departure from CSU Dominguez Hills. He assumed his new post, reporting to Gov. Martin O’ Malley in Annapolis in early February.

“Moving is tough,” Lyons said of his departure. “But if I hadn’t left Jackson, Mississippi, I wouldn’t have met all of you. It’s been a great experience.”

Lyons has served as president of CSUDH since 1999, coming to the campus from Jackson State University, where he had served as president from 1992 until 1999. Prior to that, he had been president of Bowie State University for nine years.

The California State University has already initiated the search process for a new president and anticipates that a candidate will be selected by the CSU Board of Trustees in May. Boice Bowman, formerly the vice president of Student Affairs, is currently serving as interim president of the University until a new president takes the helm.

Lyons was recognized for his service to the campus and community by Ed McAleer from the CSU Commission on Extended University, CSU Office of the Chancellor, Robert Hiegert, commissioner of the California Collegiate Athletic Association and Kathy Clark, principal, California Academy of Mathematics and Science. Provost Allen Mori presented Lyons with a remembrance on behalf of the CSUDH campus, along with Bowman, Janet Levine, vice president of University Advancement, Mary Ann Rodriguez, vice president of Administration and Finance, and Virginia Long, executive assistant to the President.

Click here for a photo gallery of the event.

- Joanie Harmon-Whetmore