After months of scouring the nation and weeding through applicants, the presidential search committee has named its three finalists to succeed President Donald Gerth after 19 years of service.

University of Houston-Victoria President Karen Haynes, Director of Governmental Affairs Programs at the University of the Pacific’s McGeorge School of Law J. Clark Kelso and CSU San Marcos President Alex Gonzalez were all selected as finalists.

“All (applicants) were well-qualified,” said ASI President Eric Guerra, the lone student voice on the search committee. “What I found most important about these candidates is their strong commitment to diversity.”

Each candidate will make one final push this week with campus visits and open forum discussions scheduled with the administration, faculty and students.

Kelso kick-started this week’s festivities on Tuesday, venturing from his Sacramento-based office to meet and greet the campus.

Open forums will resume today when Haynes visits the campus and will conclude Friday with Gonzalez. Open forums will be held in the University Union from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Cecil Canton, a professor of criminal justice and member of the advisory committee that assisted in the presidential search, is confident that all three candidates are capable of stepping in and running the CSU systems’ sixth largest campus.

“They are the people that have come forward,” Canton said. “We all have the confidence that these three people can do the job. The challenge is how do they garner the resources that (Sac State) has and build on it.”

Guerra said that Haynes and Gonzalez might have an advantage over Kelso because they are both sitting presidents at their universities. Haynes has been president at the University of Houston-Victoria since 1995, while Gonzalez has been president at CSU San Marcos since 1998.

“They’ve got the leadership,” Guerra said. “Obviously, they wouldn’t be presidents at their universities if they weren’t up to the challenge.”

Gonzalez is the only finalist with experience in the CSU system. On top of his time spent with CSU San Marcos, Gonzalez served 18 years at Fresno State as a professor of psychology, a provost and vice president.

With 23 years in the system, Gonzalez said his experience and familiarity will only help his candidacy, especially as the CSU system prepares to enter trying times with the budget.

“The strongest attribute is the fact that I know the system,” Gonzalez said. “I’ve been through one budget crisis and made good linkages with the community. These are the strengths I have.”

Canton, on the other hand, said there is no advantage that separates the finalists.

“I think the fact that (Haynes and Gonzalez) have done this job before is an advantage. But Kelso has his own set of advantages,” Canton said.

Kelso is the only local candidate.

He has been with UOP’s Sacramento-based McGeorge School of Law since 1994 and is currently a member Sacramento’s District Attorney Multi-Cultural Council. In May 2002, Gov. Gray Davis named Kelso as California’s chief information officer — only strengthening his ties to the Capitol City.

Kelso has gotten to know Sac State on a personal level too.

“Over the years, I’ve had a lot of interaction with Sac State in a number of capacities,” Kelso said. “My wife received both of her bachelor’s degrees there, so I’ve gotten to know the faculty that way.

“At one point I was even singing in the university choir,” he added.

Haynes was unavailable for comment.

Canton said this week’s visits are important to each finalist’s candidacy, but even more important for the school.

He has been encouraging students in his classes and around campus to attend the open forums.

“I think (the campus visits) are vital. I think the campus visits will have a real impact,” Canton said. “But who are they going to see if no one is out there? We are trying to sell ourselves just as much as they’re selling themselves.”

The Board of Trustees will convene on March 11-13, when they are expected to announce Gerth’s successor. Guerra plans on being there for the decision.

“It’s my part to make sure we find a president that is selected that has a high regard for the student voice,” Guerra said.

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