Exhibit - President Clifton R. Wharton, Jr. (1970-1978)
Clifton R. Wharton, Jr. was born in Boston, Massachusetts on September 13, 1926. At sixteen, Wharton enrolled at Harvard University and graduated with a BA in History in 1947. He received his Masters degree from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies in 1948. After working five years at the American International Association for Economic and Social Development, Wharton completed his Masters and PhD degrees in economics from the University of Chicago.
Wharton traveled extensively, directing programs in Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia while working as a council associate for the Agricultural Development Council. He taught and conducted research as a visiting professor at the Universities of Malaysia and Singapore. Wharton later became Vice President of the council, and held that position until he began his term as Michigan State University's fourteenth president in January 1970. His term of office featured moments of turbulence, including student protests in 1970 and 1972, and an NCAA investigation of MSU's football program. Fiscal problems due to budget cuts were a constant issue during his tenure.
Despite major budget cutbacks, Wharton successfully maintained the quality of MSU's academic programs. He integrated the School of Osteopathic Medicine with the other medical schools, and remained committed to the education of the economically disadvantaged. One of Wharton's most enduring legacies was the creation of a performing arts center in 1982, named in honor of him and his wife Dolores, in recognition of their strong support. Upon Wharton's resignation in 1977, he served a Chancellorship at the State University of New York, headed TIAA-CREF as Chairman and CEO from 1987-1993, and served as U.S. Deputy Secretary of State in 1993 during Bill Clinton's presidency.
Wharton's autobiography, Privilege and Prejudice: The Life of a Black Pioneer, was released by Michigan State University Press in September 2015.
Finding aid to the Clifton R. Wharton, Jr. papers (UA 2.1.14)
Exhibit created by Matthew Wilcox, September 2016.
Updated by Megan Badgley Malone, January 2020.
Related Objects
 |  Clif Wharton interviewed by Coy Eklund, 1978 November 16, 1978 Video: mp4 MSU Archives and Historical Collections |  Clifton Wharton Addresses the Faculty Club, 1970 1970 Image: jpg MSU Archives and Historical Collections |
 |  Clifton Wharton at his first press conference, 1969 1969 Image: jpg MSU Archives and Historical Collections |  Clifton Wharton at his resignation press conference, 1977 1977 Image: jpg MSU Archives and Historical Collections |
 |  Clifton Wharton chairs Executive Group meeting, 1971 1971 Image: jpg MSU Archives and Historical Collections |  |
 |  Clifton Wharton speaks with the Executive Group, 1974 1974 Image: jpg MSU Archives and Historical Collections |  |
 Clifton Wharton with John Hannah, 1975 Date: 1970-1979 Image: jpg MSU Archives and Historical Collections |  Dedication Ceremonies for the Wharton Center for the Performing Arts, 1982 September 26, 1982 Video: mp4 MSU Archives and Historical Collections |  |
 |  |  President Wharton Addresses Student Demands May 11, 1972 Text: pdf MSU Archives and Historical Collections |
 |  President Wharton Statement on Anti-War Demands May 14, 1972 Text: pdf MSU Archives and Historical Collections |  |
 |  Trial & Triumph: The Wharton Years 1970-1978. A tribute to Clifton R. Wharton, Jr. & Dolores Wharton October 27, 2000 Video: mp4 MSU Archives and Historical Collections |  Vietnam War Statement from President Wharton May 5, 1970 Text: pdf MSU Archives and Historical Collections |
