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    Atkinson to Retire Next October

    UC President Richard C. Atkinson
    Last week, after more than seven years in office, UC President Richard C. Atkinson announced that he would retire on Oct. 1, 2003. He is the University's 17th president and, he said, "only four [will] have served longer."
    The 73-year-old former Stanford University psychology professor and his wife, Rita, have said they will return to live in San Diego where for 15 years he was chancellor of UCSD. The Board of Regents, where Atkinson broke the news, will form a Regents' committee to conduct a national search for his replacement.
    Citing the many achievements of the University during his tenure to the Regents, Atkinson credited them mostly to "the University of California community--the Regents, faculty, staff, students, parents, alumni, and friends of the University. And that is why, even in a time of budget uncertainty once again, I am confident in the University's continued vitality."
    Under Atkinson's leadership, the University dramatically expanded its outreach programs to K-12 schools, working to improve the academic performance of students from all backgrounds.
    "President Atkinson is an outstanding educator whose visionary leadership of the University has been without parallel," said Chancellor Henry Yang. "When he leaves the presidency in 10 months, he will leave behind a tremendous legacy--a UC system that has grown to 10 campuses and is stronger than ever, and that is determined to find the best and most equitable ways to attract and admit the outstanding students of this state.
    "He has been a great friend to the Santa Barbara campus, for which all of us at UCSB are extremely grateful. His work as UC president has been a model of wisdom and insight, and his extraordinary and distinguished career in the UC system will long serve as an inspiration to me and to all his UC colleagues."
    The complete text of Atkinson's address to the community, and more details about his career, can be found at <www.universityofcalifornia.edu/Atkinson/welcome.html>.