KALAMAZOO (WKZO-AM) — Kalamazoo College has a new president.
Dr. Jorge G. Gonzalez was inaugurated as the private college’s 18th chief executive during ceremonies and celebrations on Saturday. Gonzalez is an Michigan State University graduate and his wife is a graduate of Kalamazoo College.
“My grandfather and father could never have imagined a Mexican would have a chance to be a president somewhere such as K,” Gonzalez said.
Gonzales said what makes the college special is that it not only educates their students, but requires that they apply it as well.
“What you need to learn is not today’s reality, you need to learn how to learn, and this is exactly what a liberal arts education at K can provide,” Gonzalez said. “It will teach you to look at problems from a variety of perspectives, and deal with uncertainty and complexity.”
Gonzales is an economics professor who moved up through the ranks at Occidental College, where he was most recently as dean and vice president for academic affairs. He has officially been on the job at Kalamazoo College since July 1.
He succeeds Eileen B. Wilson-Oyelaran, who announced her retirement in April 2015.
