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A Tribute To The Life Of Rodney A. Anderson

Volume
Volume 158 , Number 49
Pages
Pages E440
Legislative Body
Extensions of Remarks
Date
Mon, March 26, 2012

Rep. Jim Costa

legislator photo
Party
D
State
CA

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life of Dr. Rodney A. Anderson, a noted professor at California State University, Fresno (Fresno State) who passed away on March 7, 2012. Dr. Anderson served as a political science professor and mentor for hundreds of students. He characterized the best of what our nation's education system has to offer--he was wise, kind, and worked tirelessly to ensure that his students were successful.

Dr. Anderson grew up on his family's farm where he learned the value of hard work. Dr. Anderson attended Geneva High School, where he was an active member of the Future Farmers of America and excelled in extemporaneous speaking competitions. Upon graduating from high school in 1984, Dr. Anderson pursued a bachelor's degree at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. After graduating with high honors, he earned his master's and doctoral degrees in political science at the Ohio State University.

In 1996, Dr. Anderson joined the Fresno State Political Science Department and worked there until his passing. Throughout his career, he taught 200 students in five classes every semester. American politics, statistics, political behavior, and comparative politics were among the subjects Dr. Anderson taught.

Many of Dr. Anderson's students have gone on to graduate school or rewarding careers as attorneys, teachers, staff members for the California State Legislature and the United States Congress, or consultants. Henry Adams famously said, ``A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.'' As an alumnus of the Political Science Department at Fresno State, I know firsthand the importance of a dedicated teacher who serves as an academic guide, moral paradigm, and mentor.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to the life and service of Dr. Rodney A. Anderson, a principled man and treasured member of the Fresno State community. Dr. Anderson's life was not only filled with personal milestones, but his dedication to his work and students was admirable.