As the campus prepares to bid a fond farewell to President Jolene Koester, who will retire in December, many offices and departments are hosting tribute gatherings in celebration of her accomplishments. The staff in University Hall recently hosted an Alice in Wonderland-themed “Sweet Farewell Tea” where each department shared dessert treats with colleagues. On Wednesday, Nov. 9, faculty and staff will gather in a campus-wide farewell event at the Valley Performing Arts Center. The university is also preparing a bound memory book from the campus community that will be presented to the president. Photo by Lee Choo.

Decorations adorned the second floor breezeway of University Hall. The co-chairs of the organizing committee were Cynthia Rawitch, vice provost in Academic Affairs, and Mary Ann Cummins-Prager, associate vice president of student access and support in Student Affairs. The committee included representatives from all the divisions and various departments from throughout the campus.

President Koester joined the CSUN family in 2000 and is respected and loved by faculty and staff for her vision, imagination and inspiration. She is pictured with a “goody-bag” of candy with a label with her face and the message “one in a million.”

Felicia Morariu (left) and Lizbeth De La Cruz share a moment with President Koester during the celebration. Photo by Lee Choo.

Linda Noblejas, the president’s secretary, stops to chat with President Koester. Photo by Lee Choo.

In a tribute, staff called President Koester the “Queen of Learning Centeredness,” noting just a few of her major contributions to campus. Under Koester’s leadership, the “regionally focused, nationally recognized” campaign was born, a campus-wide branding initiative was implemented and the dream of a Valley Performing Arts Center became a reality.