In Memoriam: Clifton Wharton, Jr., 1926-2024

Clifton Wharton, Jr., the first Black president of Michigan State University and the first Black chancellor of the State University of New York system, passed away on November 16. He was 98 years old. Dr. Wharton’s career spanned higher education, business, philanthropy, and public service. In 1948, he was appointed to oversee foreign philanthropic initiatives for the Rockefeller family. He worked in economic development with several South East Asian countries. He had a stint teaching economics and researching international trade and agricultural economics at the University of Malaya. In 1958, he joined the Agricultural Development Council as an associate in Malaysia, ultimately earning an appointment as the council’s vice president. In 1970, Dr. Wharton transitioned to U.S. higher education as the first Black president of Michigan State University, making him the first African American to lead a major predominately-White institution in the United States. After eight years of service, he was named the first Black chancellor of the State University of New York. He served in this capacity for nine years and spent five years concurrently as the chairman of the Rockefeller Foundation. Outside of his career in academia, Dr. Wharton had an extensive corporate background. He held leadership roles...