Kalamazoo College's new president eager to get school year going

By Madison Bennett | MLive

KALAMAZOO, MI - Since Jorge Gonzalez came to Kalamazoo College over two months ago, Sept. 12 has loomed large on his calendar.

Fall classes start today, and campus will be buzzing with students and activity.

For Gonzalez, who took over as president at Kalamazoo College on July 1, it's all about the connection with students. That's why, as the calendar turned to September, he said he was "hungry" for them to get on campus.

"I love being a teacher. I love being in the classroom with students," Gonzalez said. "Being an administrator, it doesn't give you an opportunity to be as much with students as I would like to be."

The new president won't be teaching this fall, but said he will take advantage of every opportunity to talk and connect with students.

Before coming to Kalamazoo, Gonzalez was vice president of academic affairs and dean at Occidental College. His plan was to continue to work in administration at the private liberal arts college in Los Angeles then eventually become a faculty member again. That changed when he found out that Kalamazoo College was looking for a new president.

His wife, Suzie (Martin) Gonzalez, was born in Kalamazoo and graduated from Kalamazoo College in 1983. Besides that family connection, it's the kind of institution of higher education Gonzalez believes in.

"K is absolutely committed to liberal arts, and I spent my whole academic career in liberal arts institutions," said Gonzalez, 55. "I believe in the power of liberal arts."

Gonzalez has started a "listening tour," going around and hearing from faculty members, students and alumni about their experiences and attitudes toward Kalamazoo College. That will continue throughout the school year and he plans to eventually travel around Michigan and elsewhere to connect with people affiliated with the college of about 1,400 students.

For now, he's focused on the start to the academic year ahead and on Kalamazoo.

"I am absolutely delighted to be in Kalamazoo, both because of K and because of the city of Kalamazoo," Gonzalez said. "I admire the pride that they (residents) have in their city and I admire their commitment that they have."

The inauguration for Gonzalez is set for Nov. 5 at the Stetson Chapel on Kalamazoo College's campus. He succeeded Eileen Wilson-Oyelaran, who retired June 30 after 11 years as president.

This post originally appeared Sept. 12, 2016 on MLive.com.