Cal State chief honored

The chancellor of the 450,000-student Cal State system, Charles B. Reed, has been given one of three 2008 Harold W. McGraw Jr. Prizes in Education.

The awards were anounced this week by Harold McGraw III, chairman, president and chief executive officer of the McGraw-Hill Cos.

“In the 20th century, the United States set the standard in education, and as a nation we took pride in having the strongest and most accessible education system in the world.  Sadly, this is no longer true,” McGraw said.  “The three educators we honor this year have demonstrated a commitment toward bridging gaps to higher education and breaking down barriers faced by too many of today’s young students.”

The McGraw prize annually recognizes people who have dedicated themselves to enhancing learning in this country and whose accomplishments are making a difference today. Each winner receives $25,000.   

As chancellor of the Cal State system, Reed launched an initiative to recruit and retain more minority students.

The other winners were Richard Blais and Judith Berry Griffin.

Blais is vice president and co-founder of Project Lead the Way, a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing the number of students who are prepared to study engineering in college.

Griffin is the president and founder of the nonprofit organization Pathways to College, which identifies talented children of color in low-performing high schools. The students attend an after-school program that offers coaching in study skills, writing and critical thinking. 

-- Mary MacVean

Photo by Karen Tapia / Los Angeles Times