CSUN University News Clippings

USC president plans to retire next year after 19 years at helm

(November 2, 2009)

University of Southern California President Steven Sample says he’ll step down next August after almost 19 years in the post.

Sample told the Los Angeles Times of his plans for a story published Sunday. The university has scheduled a formal announcement for Monday.

The 68-year-old Sample worked to boost USC’s academic prestige, financial resources and civic engagement as the university’s leader.

The 34,000-student school near downtown Los Angeles has climbed from 51st to 26th in U.S. News & World Report’s rankings of U.S. research universities since 1991.

Sample was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease eight years ago. He says the illness was not a major factor in his decision. Sample says he simply wants to quit while he’s ahead and enjoy life.

Publication: Associated Press