UC President leaves office

After improving UC System, Atkinson hands reins to Chancellor Dynes

Christian Mignot
Published: Wednesday, October 1, 2003

University of California President Richard Atkinson officially retires today, ending an eight-year stint at the helm of the nation’s most prestigious public university system.

Atkinson cedes his post to current UC San Diego Chancellor Robert Dynes, appointed in June 2003 by the UC Regents to be the system’s 18th president.

After 27 years of service which took him from being the director of the National Science Foundation to the university presidency, Atkinson finally decided he needed to end his career to spend more time with his family.

“It is time ... for my grandchildren to see more of their grandfather,” Atkinson said, when he announced his retirement on Nov. 13, 2002.

There are distinct similarities between the circumstances of Atkinson’s inauguration in 1995 and that of Dynes’ today.

Both men arrived at UC headquarters in Oakland from the chancellorship of UC San Diego.

Atkinson took office in October 1995, when the university was facing serious budget constraints, but he managed to successfully guide the university through the rough period.

Now Dynes must face similarly perilous times, with Gov. Gray Davis asking all state agencies to prepare for potential 20 percent cuts – amounting to approximately $600 million less funding for a university already worn thin by previous budgets.

In his eight years at the top, Atkinson worked to expand the university in size and status, revised university admissions with a consistent commitment to outreach, and developed the system into a strong arena for scientific innovation and research.

His work to initiate national reforms in college admissions testing, including the SAT, is his crowning achievement.