After four months on the job, Jorge Gonzalez now has completed the final ceremonial step toward becoming Kalamazoo College's 18th president -- inauguration, which was held Nov. 5. Hear about his upbringing in Mexico, life-transforming study-abroad experience in America, what motivated him to pursue an academic career, higher education's role in addressing diversity, his leadership style, his goals, his link to Michigan through earning two degrees here, and more at 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. today on WMUK's WestSouthwest show (or click on the icon to listen now). It's a half-hour version of Earlene McMichael's shorter interview that originally aired in September.
Gonzalez began his academic career as an economics professor. His first faculty position was at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, where he won awards for his teaching and was ultimately promoted to the role of special assistant to the president. Next he became vice president of academic affairs at Occidental College in Los Angeles, and from there, the head of Kalamazoo College. His first day was July 1. Like K-College, both Trinity and Occidental are liberal arts institutions.
Gonzalez holds three degrees in economics. They include a bachelor's degree from Monterrey Institute of Technology in his native Monterrey, Mexico, and later master's and doctoral degrees from Michigan State University.
He assumes the reins at Kalamazoo College from Eileen Wilson-Oyeleran, who served for 11 years.