The L.A. Community College District Board of Trustees named Robert Garber as the new president of Pierce College today.

Garber first came to Pierce in 1976 and spent 20 years here, eventually serving as dean of student services. He left to assume the post of vice president of student services at San Diego Miramar College nine years ago.

The announcement was made at the Board's meeting at L.A. Harbor College.

Garber was one of three finalists who appeared at Pierce a week ago in a question-and-answer session open to the community. There he spoke about his interests, saying at one point, “I like the world of relationships. I like spending time out on the campus, being visible.”

Not only that, he said he once rode an elephant down the middle of the Pierce Mall.

Born in 1947, Garber is the exact same age as Pierce College. “I was walking around the campus and I was thinking, like anybody else our age, you need a little TLC and maybe a face lift once in a while.”

Of his almost 30-year career spent at two colleges Garber said, “Education, for me, has been my life. Education is at the heart of becoming human, being good, satisfied human beings.”

Garber is scheduled to take office Feb. 1, 2006.

He replaces Dr. Thomas Oliver who filled the slot after Rocky Young became vice chancellor of the LACCD some two years ago. Dr. Oliver will remain at the college in the post of vice president of college development. Young has now become the chancellor of the district.