Dr. Robert and Dr. Sylvia Maxson (2005) - Hall of Fame - Long Beach State University Athletics

Dr. Robert and Dr. Sylvia Maxson

Induction:
2005

President of California State University, Long Beach, Dr. Robert C. Maxson has instilled a genuine and enthusiastic vision of excellence, extending far beyond campus boundaries, prior to his retirement in January, 2006 after 12 years. Under Maxson’s leadership, Long Beach State has established a program to actively recruit the most academically talented high school students in the state. Established by Maxson in 1995, the President’s Scholars Program, recognized as the premier program of its kind in the state, was created to bring valedictorians and National Merit scholars from California high schools to the Long Beach State campus. President Maxson has been named President of the Year three consecutive times by the student leaders of the 23 campus California State University system. President Maxson has been named ‘Man of the Year’ by the National Conference of Christians and Jews and by the American Jewish Committee and he was awarded the prestigious Silver Lily Award by the Easter Seal Society for his humanitarian deeds. Since he first arrived on campus, Dr. Maxson has attended as many sporting events and athletic functions as his schedule would allow. He and Sylvia were always available to meet recruits and do whatever they could to promote "The Beach". Sylvia Maxson often traveled with teams to their events offering support, has hosted an annual "Women in Athletics" Tea promoting women athletes and a sense of pride and togetherness/community, and in 2003 lent her name to the Sylvia Maxson Gold Rush golf tournament which raises funds for athletic teams at The Beach. Sylvia has been employed by CSULB since 1994 as a tenured professor in the College of Education/Liberal Arts.