M E M O R A N D U M
							May 10, 2012

To:		Members of the Board of Trustees

From:		H. Carl McCall, Chairman

Subject:	Appointment of Clifton R. Wharton Jr. 
		as Chancellor Emeritus


Action Requested

	The proposed resolution honors Clifton R. Wharton Jr.’s distinguished service as former Chancellor of the State University of New York with an appointment as Chancellor Emeritus.


Resolution

	I recommend that the Board of Trustees adopt the following resolution:

Whereas Clifton R. Wharton Jr. devoted distinguished service as chancellor of the State University of New York from 1978 to 1987; and 

Whereas in that time, the recessionary fiscal condition of New York State, and chronic underfunding of SUNY as a result of that condition, led to Dr. Wharton’s convening of the Independent Commission on the Future of the State University of New York, a bipartisan commission of distinguished experts in higher education and government; and

Whereas, as a result of the work of this commission, Dr. Wharton undertook an ambitious, long-term strategic planning effort know as The Challenge and the Choice, which refocused SUNY’s mission to provide top quality teaching and learning to students and to be an economic driver for the State of New York; and




Whereas The Challenge and the Choice also served as the impetus for SUNY to come into its own, for the first time in history, as a modern public university system with more fiscal, governing, and operational flexibility than ever before, as evidenced by the enactment of legislation that began to free SUNY from stringent State regulations and put in place a new statutory mission statement (Chapter 552, Laws of 1985); and

Whereas this accomplishment has laid the groundwork for subsequent chancellors to advocate for fiscal, governance, and operational flexibility for SUNY; and 

Whereas Dr.  Wharton, as the system’s first African American chancellor, was a symbol of SUNY’s commitment to diversity and recruitment of top administrators, regardless of race or ethnicity; and

Whereas the SUNY Board of Trustees in 1990 awarded Dr.  Wharton and his wife, Dolores, honorary State University of New York degrees in recognition of “their outstanding contributions, both separately and together, to higher education as well as the arts and business”; and

Whereas Dr. Wharton provided remarkable and visionary leadership for SUNY during his time as chancellor, worked diligently and honorably for six United States presidents as an expert in foreign policy, has had distinguished careers in economic development, higher education and business, and continues to be the epitome of a dedicated and passionate public servant; and

Whereas he has always worked to improve New York’s system of public higher education and acted in the best interests of SUNY students, faculty, and staff; now, therefore, be it
Resolved that Dr. Wharton receive the honorary title of Chancellor Emeritus from the Board of Trustees for his past service and continued partnership with the State University of New York.

Background
Throughout the relatively short history of the State University of New York, there have been visionaries who made their mark in each of the three tenets of our mission: to learn, to search, to serve. Contributions to cutting edge research, art and cultural pursuits, and perhaps most importantly, a continued commitment to teaching, are hallmarks of the faculty and administration across SUNY.
We are fortunate that at a critical point in the system’s development, a man who is known for his national and global vision took the SUNY helm.
Clifton Reginald Wharton, Jr. has led an extraordinary life. Beyond his own academic accomplishments (entering Harvard at 16, Masters in international affairs from SAIS and a Master of Arts and PhD in economics from the University of Chicago), he built his career around a commitment to public service.  
His work in international economic development, specifically in Latin America and Asia, was unique in that Dr. Wharton didn’t use a theoretical approach with these communities. Instead, he gave them the tools and the training they needed to become self-sufficient in agriculture and nutrition thus raising their standard of living. 
Dr. Wharton’s pioneering global efforts made him a sought-after advisor in the fields of both business and government. And while his achievements in various corporate positions, most notably as the first African-American CEO of a major U.S. corporation at TIAA-CREF, are vast, it is his work in the field of higher education administration that we honor above all.
In a tumultuous Vietnam War era of US history, Clifton Wharton began his official foray into higher education by becoming the first African American president of Michigan State University in 1970.  His calm and diplomatic demeanor, coupled with his first-hand experience in foreign affairs with Latin America and Southeast Asia served his constituency well, even through such traumatic events as the Kent State protest.
As president, he advocated for universal access to higher education, led the university to growth, increased student involvement on advisory councils, and developed a new urban affairs college.
The incredible qualities possessed by Dr. Wharton were brought to each position and role, regardless of whether it was government, business, philanthropy or academia. His keen understanding of globalization and recognition of the importance of growth through business partnerships helped to empower generations of individuals and students to become viable members of society.
In 1978, Dr. Wharton’s became chancellor of one of the largest systems of public higher education in the world and immediately began to put his mark on the State University of New York.  
His time at SUNY is remembered for many insightful and thorough reviews of the burgeoning and bureaucratic system that earned him the title of “one of the top five most influential leaders in higher education,” according to a national survey of the time. Throughout his tenure, he remained dedicated to the principle that the doors of academia should be open to the masses.  
He appointed an independent commission that resulted in streamlined processes and enhanced national reputation for SUNY that to this day remains his legacy.  
Above all else, Dr. Clifton Wharton and his wife Dolores, who has had her own extremely distinguished career, have always committed themselves to the people that made these organizations successful. The unwavering support and the sense of family they instilled in SUNY employees, students and the community has earned them the utmost respect and admiration. 

 

Board Resolution 	-4-			May 10, 2012