The Voice

Issue date: 11/15/07 Section: Front Page

Media Credit: Juli Kuebler Dr. David Solz, who will become Bloomsburg's 18th president with the start of his tenure on Jauary 7, interacted with students and faculty Wednesday afternoon at a reception in the Student Services Center

There's a new head honcho in town and like most college presidents, he's well-educated, personable, and likes to kick back and watch … South Park.
Dr. David Soltz, named president of BU Tuesday by The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education's (PASSHE) Board of Governors, said he hopes to take the university from a "very good school to an even better school."
But Soltz wasn't all business during a phone interview Wednesday afternoon. He was delighted at faculty members here who have already offered to take him fly fishing and was excited to bring two of his horses with him from home.
Currently the provost of Central Washington University, Bloomsburg is a bit of a trip for the 18th president of BU, who resides in Ellensburg, Wash. with his wife, Robbie.
"This is the furthest east I've ever lived," said Soltz, who grew up in a suburb of Chicago, Ill. and attended college in California.
Nevertheless, he's ready call Bloomsburg home.
"It's a beautiful area. It's a new opportunity for me and my wife," Soltz said.
He said he hopes to bring a greater "sense of community" to the university, which he called the "cultural and economic center" of Bloomsburg. He praised the school for its high graduation rates.
"It's a very good university. Students really perform very well," Soltz said.
He was welcomed Wednesday afternoon during a reception in the Student Services Center, where he met more than 150 students and faculty members.
"It was real pleasure to talk to a really broad cross section of the Bloomsburg campus," Soltz said.
Among those who met Soltz was David Flores, a senior art and art history major.
"He was a very nice gentleman and he's excited to be here. That's my first impression," Flores said.
In a voicemail message Wednesday, CGA Treasurer Troy Showers said he was excited Soltz was selected president of the university.
"He was one of my top picks when we interviewed," Showers said.

The feelings are mutual. Soltz is a fan of Bloomsburg.
"I'm very excited about the opportunity of being the new president. I was very impressed with the students I met," he said.
Soltz earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in zoology from the University of California at Berkeley, and a Ph.D. in biology from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). He officially begins tenure here on Jan. 7.

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