University Advancement

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NEWS RELEASE

Campus Memorial for Late CSUN President James Cleary Set

(NORTHRIDGE, Calif., May 15, 2007) — A public memorial service for the late James W. Cleary, who led Cal State Northridge as president from 1969 to 1992, has been set for Tuesday, May 22, at the university.

Cleary, who oversaw CSUN’s growth from a small campus surrounded by orange groves into a thriving urban institution, died April 28 at age 80 in Boise, Idaho, where he retired with his wife, the late Mary Cleary.

His memorial will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the Grand Salon of the University Student Union in the east side of the campus off Zelzah Street.

"President Cleary began his appointment at a pivotal time in the history of the university," said CSUN President Jolene Koester. "During the late 1960s, Cal State Northridge experienced many of the same major upheavals and changes occurring at other universities and across the nation. Through his leadership and commitment to working in partnership with faculty and students, President Cleary brought stability to the university during difficult times."

In tribute to Cleary, the county Board of Supervisors on May 1 adjourned briefly, ordering that a memorial tribute be forwarded to the Cleary family.

A widely traveled and respected educator, Cleary in 1986 was chosen by the Exxon Education Foundation as one of the nation’s 100 most effective college presidents. In 1974, he was given the "Key to the City of Los Angeles" by then Mayor Tom Bradley for his community involvement.

The former president came to what then was San Fernando Valley State College, during a period when unrest roiled over ethnic studies programs and the war in Vietnam. He broadened campus diversity and equity by advancing the efforts of such programs as EOP and the Departments of Chicana/o Studies and Pan African Studies.

Northridge had only about 20,000 students and 59 degree programs when Cleary arrived, but counted more than 30,000 enrolled students and 90 degree programs by the time he retired.

Cleary was the prime organizer and first chairman of the Tri Valley Alliance for Education, served as president of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), and led CSUN missions to China that resulted in the creation of the campus’ China Institute.

In lieu of flowers, gifts honoring the Clearys may be sent to The California State University, Northridge Foundation, 18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge, CA 91330-8296, with the notation: "James and Mary Cleary Memorial Fund."

Cleary is survived by daughters Colleen and Janet, and two granddaughters. A third daughter passed away in 2000.