Gerth, Donald R.

Donald R. Gerth was born in Chicago, Ill. in 1928. He earned his Master's Degree in 1951 and Doctorate Degree in 1963; both from the University of Chicago and both in the field of Political Science. Dr. Gerth started his career in Government and Associate Dean at San Francisco State University in 1958. In 1963, he was recruited to California State University (CSU), Chancellor's Office as Associate Dean of Institutional Relations and Student Affairs. Then he was named Professor of Polticial Science and Dean of Students at California State University, Chico. In 1970, Dr. Gerth served as Vice President for Academic Affairs at CSU Chico. In 1976, Dr. Gerth was first appointed President and Professor in Political Science at California State University, Dominguez Hills. In 1983, Dr. Gerth hosted Olympic cycling events at CSU Dominguez Hills while also becoming President and Professor in Government at Sacramento State University. In 2003, Dr. Gerth left the presidency of Sacramento State, having served the CSU system for 45 years. In 2010, he published "The People's University: A History of the CSU."

From the description of CSUDH President's Office : Gerth (Donald R.) Papers, 1976-1984 (California State University, Dominguez Hills). WorldCat record id: 683257580

Biography

Donald R. Gerth was born in Chicago on December 4, 1928. After attending Chicago Public Schools, he was admitted to the University of Chicago at the age of 16. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in liberal arts at the age of 18 in 1947. He received his Masters degree in political science in 1951. While earning his M.A. degree he served as a Field Representative in Southeast Asia for the World University Service for one year. He also served as assistant to the President at Shimer College. In 1952 Gerth was commissioned as a Southeast Asian specialist in the U.S. Air Force and was responsible for various comptroller and intelligence assignments throughout Southeast Asia including the Philippines, Vietnam, India, Taiwan and elsewhere. He also served as lecturer in history at the University of the Philippines. In 1955, he married Beverly J. Hollman. In 1956 he was discharged from the Air Force as a Captain.

Between 1956 and1958, Gerth completed his PhD studies in political science at the University of Chicago. During this period he served as Admissions Counselor and Assistant to the Director of Admissions at the University of Chicago.

Gerth began his career with the California State Colleges system in 1958 when he was appointed Associate Dean of Students for Admissions and Records and government instructor at San Francisco State College. He quickly became an active and long term proponent of California’s Master Plan for Higher Education. He provided staff support on admissions issues for the group that shaped the Master Plan in 1959-1960. His doctoral dissertation, “The Government of Public Higher Education in California,” was completed in 1963. At that time he received his PhD from the University of Chicago.

In 1963 Dr. Gerth was appointed Deputy Dean for Institutional Relations and Student Affairs for the California State Colleges system by Chancellor Glenn Dumke. He was also staff representative to the Coordinating Council for Higher Education committee. This assignment was followed by twelve years as a faculty member and administrator (1964-1976) at Chico State College. At Chico he served as Professor of Political Science (1964-1976), Dean of Students (1964-1968), Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs (1969-1970), and Vice President for Academic Affairs (1970-1976). In addition, Dr. Gerth served on several task forces on fiscal responsibility starting in 1965 and focused on other issues such as international education, foreign student programs, admissions, and relationships with other California colleges and universities. In 1976 Dr. Gerth was appointed second President of California State University Dominguez Hills (1976-1984).

At Dominguez Hills, Gerth brought the Olympic Velodrome to the campus during the 1984 Los Angeles games and worked to stabilize the young university. In 1984 Dr. Gerth was appointed President of California State University Sacramento (1984-2003). At Sacramento he established the Center for California Studies and worked to get CSUS more visibility as the university in the state capitol. By the time of his retirement he was highly respected internationally and nationally as the “Dean of CSU Presidents.” In 1995 Dr. Gerth chaired the United Way Board of Directors and in 1996, became Founding Chair of the Northern California World Trade Center. In 2000 the Sacramento Chamber of Commerce named Dr. Gerth Sacramentan of the Year. In 2001, Dr. Garth was honored for outstanding contributions to the arts by the Arts and Business Council and in the next year was honored by World Trade Centers for distinguished service.

Gerth has written numerous articles and papers on public policy affecting higher education and is co-author and editor of An Invisible Giant, a book about the formative years of the California State University. In 2010 Gerth published The People’s University: A History of the California State University. The book, a 664 page volume, documents the unique contributions of the California State Universities to the state and the nation. In 1996 Dr. Gerth was installed as head of the International Association of University Presidents during the organizations’ eleventh triennial conference in San Francisco. In addition to several other international contributions, Dr. Gerth also served as a member of the governing board of the United Nations University.

Throughout his career Dr. Gerth has been a champion of Archives. In addition to helping establish and grow the CSUDH Archives, he helped establish the CSU System-wide Archives that houses the records of the CSU System. Dr. Gerth also encouraged the growth and progress of other Archives in Sacramento and elsewhere.

Dr. Gerth’s wife Beverly Gerth’s role as partner, host and university supporter has been well-known throughout the CSU and at each University the couple served. They have two daughters, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

From the guide to the Gerth (Donald R.) Papers, 1946-2010, (California State University, Dominguez Hills Archives and Special Collections)