Sacramento State University is mourning the loss of its longest serving president.Donald Rogers Gerth held the office of president from 1984 until his retirement in 2003. Among the accomplishments for which he is credited are creating the School of the Arts, the Center for California Studies, and the Center for Public Policy Dispute Resolution. He began working for the California State University system back in 1958 as associate dean of San Francisco State. Gerth continued supporting the university even after retirement, publishing The People’s University: A History of the California State University back in 2010. He is survived by his wife, Beverly. They were married in 1955. Gerth died Monday at the age of 93.
Current President Robert Nelson said this in a statement: "President Emeritus Gerth loved Sacramento State and the CSU. His impact on our campus and the system as a whole is remarkable. It was my honor to call him a friend, and I will miss his wise council. Now is the time for the entire Hornet Family to rally behind and support his beloved wife, Bev."