Local newspaper reports biology dean recommended replacement

Video by David Corrigan

Heartfelt thanks from University of Hawaii at Hilo staff and administrators was heaped upon outgoing chancellor Rose Tseng during Saturday’s graduation ceremony.

Tseng said only a few short sentences about her own departure at the event held at the Edith Kanakaole Multipurpose Stadium, wrapping up 12 years at the head of the Hilo branch of the UH system. Under Tseng’s lead, UH-Hilo experienced unprecedented growth and established itself as the premier institution in the Pacific for disciplines like Pharmacy and Astronomy.

In an emotional video moment, attorney Stanley Roehrig – who was the outgoing chancellor when Rose Tseng was hired for the job – explains how Tseng helped encourage him to further his own education.

In Sunday’s Hawaii Tribune-Herald, John Burnett reported that Tseng’s replacement has already been recommended by UH President M.R.C. Greenwood.

Donald O. Straney, a dean of science at California State Polytechnic University in Pomona, will still have to get approval from the Board of Regents. The appointment will be discussed at a meeting on Thursday.

Straney is one of five finalists for the position, and would receive somewhere in the vicinity of $300,000 if he gets the job.

As evident in Saturday’s show of appreciation for Rose Tseng, the next chancellor will have some big shoes to fill.

Fighting the public health threat of fake drugs