GSU mourns death of second president

The Governors State University community is mourning the loss of the school's second president, Dr. Leo Goodman-Malamuth.      

Goodman-Malamuth passed away at his home in Laquinta, California on January 20 at the age of 88.  Goodman-Malamuth held the top post at GSU from October 1977 through July 1992, and was the longest serving president in the history of the university.

A California native, Goodman-Malamuth attended the University of Southern California, where he received a Bachelor's degree in speech and radio-television; a Master's in speech pathology; and a Doctorate in speech pathology and communication.  Prior to becoming president of GSU, Goodman-Malamuth was the Vice President of Academic Affairs at California State University's Long Beach campus.

During his presidency, Goodman-Malamuth revolutionized GSU's curriculum, restructured the school's colleges, and established a new grading system. In addition, he reorganized the school's administration and established the first office of Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs.

Dr. David Curtis, former GSU Provost, described Goodman-Malamuth as a "constant presence" who worked tirelessly to ensure that the school was headed in the right direction.

"He was an excellent president who brought a feeling of community and spirit to GSU," said Curtis.  "I loved the man."

Goodman-Malamuth was an early proponent of GSU's Center for Performing Arts. He also commissioned several works of art for the university's nationally-acclaimed Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park.  Goodman-Malamuth also created the university's fund-raising arm, the GSU Foundation.

In addition, Goodman-Malamuth expanded GSU's use of communications technology, especially through the use of telecourses that were transmitted all around the United States.

"As I walk about the campus and see our twenty-first century technology advances, I think of our second president," said GSU's current president, Dr. Elaine P. Maimon.

In celebration of GSU's 40^th anniversary in 2009, Goodman-Malamuth returned to the university and participated in a panel discussion on the school's past and future.

"I remember his graciousness and his whole-hearted support for the vitality of the university in its next forty years," Maimon said. "Dr. Goodman-Malamuth's legacy is his commitment to pragmatic innovation. I telephoned him in California to consult him on our plans to admit first-year students, and he was delighted that we were continuing his legacy of constructive change."