Major General Anthony L. Jackson, USMC (Ret.)

Director, California State Parks

B.A. History (1971)M.A. History (1973)

Appointed Director of California State Parks in November 2012. Oversees a system of nearly 1.4 million acres, with over 280 miles of coastline; 625 miles of lake and river frontage; nearly 15,000 campsites; and 3,000 miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails.
Before retirement from the Marine Corps after more than 36 years of service, served as Commanding General, Marine Corps Installations West. With the rank of major general, was among the highest-ranking African Americans in this branch of the armed forces.
Attended San José State on a full football scholarship and was team captain in 1970.
Conferred an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters by San José State in 2011 and currently serves on the board of directors for the university’s Tower Foundation.
His wife, Sue, is a graduate of San José State and his two sons, Brian and Blaine, are also CSU alumni.

Notable CSU Alumni in public service