UCSC Review Winter 1996
After five years as UCSC's chancellor, Karl Pister will retire
Widely regarded as one of the most successful chancellors in UCSC's history, Karl S. Pister announced this past fall that he would retire at the end of the current academic year.
"This has been a very difficult decision for both Rita and myself," said Chancellor Pister, making his retirement announcement at a meeting of the Academic Senate on October 25. "We were totally unprepared for the warmth and graciousness extended to us by the campus and the community over these last four years." At the end of his announcement Chancellor Pister received prolonged applause from the assembly of faculty, staff, and students.
"Karl Pister is one of the most remarkable leaders in the history of the university," said UC President Richard C. Atkinson.
"As a teacher, he had unusual understanding of the student- teacher relationship and a deep commitment to undergraduate education. As a research scientist, he made major contributions to the field of engineering. As a dean and senior administrator, he was an outstanding contributor to the betterment of this institution. And his record as chancellor has proven to be even more distinguished. He has been invaluable to the University of California, and we will greatly miss his thoughtfulness, dedication, skill, and integrity."
Pister's achievements as chancellor include vigorous support of excellence in teaching, research, and public service; initiation of numerous projects in partnership with other segments of education; and significant leadership in the Fort Ord base conversion project.
The campus has also received record numbers of research contracts, grants, and private donations during his tenure.
An ardent advocate for increased public investment in education and an outspoken champion for increasing the ethnic diversity of the campus, Chancellor Pister has dedicated UCSC resources toward improving educational opportunities for young people. Among the successful outreach programs he inspired and supported is the Monterey Bay Educational Consortium, a unique effort to encourage collaborations among UCSC, public schools, and other educational groups in the Monterey Bay Area.
To expand opportunities for a university education through linkages with thirteen neighboring community colleges, Chancellor Pister founded the Leadership Opportunity Awards program, which offers $20,000 scholarships, plus summer work opportunities, to outstanding community college transfer students.
Chancellor Pister also has earned a reputation as a catalyst for other types of regional collaboration, most notably the Fort Ord base conversion project. The Monterey Bay Education, Science, and Technology Center is operated by UCSC and rooted in partnerships with CSU Monterey Bay and various area governments and agencies.
Chancellor Pister will be joined in retirement by his wife, Rita Olsen Pister, who has served as associate to the chancellor. They are the parents of six children and grandparents of six.