The names of the three presidential candidates were released Nov. 29, providing Cal Poly students with an idea of who their new president might be.
Robert E. Palazzo, Thomas C. Skalak and Jeffrey D. Armstrong will visit campus Nov. 30 through Dec. 2 for forums for students, faculty and others in the Cal Poly community. Each candidate will visit on a separate day. Palazzo will visit Nov. 30, Skalak Dec. 1 and Armstrong Dec. 2.
All of the candidates have differing academic focuses. Palazzo, the provost and chief academic officer at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y., received his Bachelor of Science in biology in 1979 and doctorate in biological sciences and biochemistry in 1984 from Wayne State University in Detroit, Mich., according to his biography on the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute website. Palazzo was also a post-doctorate fellow at the University of Virginia.
Skalak, the vice president for research and professor of biomedical engineering at the University of Virginia, received his B.E.S. in bioengineering from John Hopkins University in 1979, and his doctorate, also in bioengineering, from the University of California, San Diego in 1984, according to his biography on the University of Virginia website.
Armstrong, the dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and professor of animal science at Michigan State University (MSU), received his Bachelor of Science in agriculture in 1981 from Murray University and his master’s and doctorate degrees (in 1984 and 1986 respectively) in reproduction and endocrinology from North Carolina State University, according to his biography on the MSU website.
Bryan Igarta, a sophomore civil engineering major, said he thought the differing backgrounds would be beneficial to Cal Poly, though he did not know in what specific ways.
“The different academic backgrounds (of each candidate) could lead or advance the university in different ways,” Igarta said. “The academic backgrounds (of the president) could be a big influence (on the university).”
On the professional level, the candidates each have many accomplishments. Palazzo was a visiting professor at Harvard University Medical School for a year, as well as the chair of the department of physiology and cell biology (and a professor of molecular biosciences) at the University of Kansas for approximately ten years, and an assistant scientist and principal investigator for the Marine Biological Laboratory at Woods Hole, Massachusetts for three years.
Skalak is the president of the American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE), serves on the Finance and Development Committee and chairs the Fellows Selection Committee for AIMBE. He also was a former president of the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES).
Armstrong, a professor and head of Purdue University’s department of animal sciences from 1997 through 2001 before his job at MSU, was a member of the North Carolina University Animal Science Department for more than 10 years before that, according to his biography on the MSU website.
Hannah Coleman, a biomedical engineering junior, said though she was unsure of “what the president really does,” the new president should be financially proficient.
Coleman heard former president Warren Baker was good with budgeting.
“It would be nice if the (future) president could (manage) current budget cuts,” Coleman said.
Skalak helped launch the University of Virginia Venture Summit which brings together students, alumni and “venture capitalists” in a two-day discussion and lecture event. The event brings in more than $110 billion each year. While at the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michigan State University, Armstrong has raised more than $200 million and increased “grant activity” by more than 140 percent. The college has more than 4,500 students and a budget of more than $290 million.
Palazzo’s monetary success was not noted, but his official biography states that he strongly advocates for science research and education in public policy with his involvement as the president of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, which represents 22 societies and more than 80,000 scientists in Washington, D.C. He is also a member of the American Society of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Public Affairs Advisory Committee and the American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) Public Policy Committee.
Coleman said a personable president would be beneficial.
“A lot of networking (for monetary gains) and people skills would be helpful,” Coleman said.
Besides academic accomplishments, the candidates all have other credentials. Palazzo has written numerous research papers and books, according to his biography on the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s website. Skalak has given more than 100 invited talks as well as “delivered short courses on blood properties for R&D groups at corporate clients such as Abbott Laboratories,” according to his biography on the UVa website. Armstrong is “an internationally known researcher in the area of reproductive physiology,” and “is also active in the area of food-animal well-being and sustainability of the food system,” according to his biography on the MSU website.
Sarah Storelli, the Associated Students Inc. president and student representative on the Presidential Search Advisory Committee, said each candidate is “the most qualified … from the applicant pool.” Storelli also said though the opinions of the Cal Poly community will be factored into the president selection, the California State University Chancellor and Board of Trustees will make the final decision.
“The campus visits are a time for all key constituents to see how each candidate interacts with the campus and community and which one is ultimately, the best fit,” Storelli said.
Sarah Parr also contributed to this article.