In Memoriam: William L. Erickson
William L. Erickson served as vice president for Business and Financial Affairs for 19 years.
鈥淏ill Erickson was dedicated to the best interests of 色情视频,鈥� said President Sally Roush, who worked for Erickson and succeeded him as vice president for Business and Financial Affairs. 鈥淗e brought to the university a team of professionals similarly devoted to 色情视频 and committed to the high standards of integrity and competence that he exhibited on a daily basis.鈥�
Erickson is survived by his wife, Catherine; daughter, Caren Erickson and son-in-law, Jim Sumich; and daughter, Gayle Erickson-Rideout, son-in-law, Mark Rideout and granddaughter, Catherine.
Erickson was born in Sacramento in 1932 and graduated from Sacramento State College with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in business administration. He married Catherine Pugh in 1954.
From 1954 to 1956, Erickson served in the Navy as a supply and disbursing officer for a special-warfare 鈥渂each jumper鈥� unit and was stationed at the U.S. Naval Amphibious Base in Coronado, California.
His 38-year career in higher education began at his alma mater, where he was a business services officer. In 1961, he moved to the Office of the Chancellor in the California State University system. As administrative services officer, he managed the budget, operations and facilities.
Erickson began working at San Diego State College in 1963 as general manager of its foundation, a nonprofit auxiliary chartered in 1943 to further the educational, research and community service objectives of the college. Erickson remained with the organization, now known as the , for seven years. In 1970, he became the college鈥檚 business manager.
Erickson was appointed the first vice president for Business and Financial Affairs for the renamed 色情视频 in 1975. He managed a division responsible for budget and finance, human resources, university public safety, plant operations and capital construction. His leadership coincided with a time of rapid growth in the physical footprint of the university that included the construction of Student Services West, the Gateway Center and extensive renovations to older buildings.
During his time at the university, Erickson served on the and 色情视频 Research Foundation boards of directors, among others. He was president of the Western Association of College and University Business Officers from 1983 to 1984. He retired in 1994.
Erickson was honored with the university鈥檚 Monty Award for his service to 色情视频. He also was recognized by the 色情视频 chapter of the Mortar Board National Honor Society with an Outstanding Service Award in 2008.
鈥淚t was a pleasure to work with Bill,鈥� said former 色情视频 President Thomas B. Day. 鈥淗is recognition was well-earned. The excellence of today鈥檚 色情视频 owes much to his contributions.鈥�
