California State University, Northridge President James W. Cleary
April 16, 1927 - April 28, 2007

Dr. James W. Cleary became the second president of San Fernando Valley State College in June 1969. He succeeded Dr. Ralph Prator, the first president of the campus, who had resigned effective September 1, 1968. In the period between Dr. Prator's resignation and Dr. Cleary's appointment, three men held the post of Interim President, each for a short while: Dr. Paul Blomgren, Dr. Delmar T. Oviatt, and Dr. Malcom O. Sillars. It was a time of upheaval and tension at SFVSC, as it was for many universities across the country during the late 1960's. The campus needed a steady and decisive person to take the helm, and Dr. Cleary was the right man for the job at hand.

James Cleary was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on April 16, 1927. Following a stint in the U.S. Army (June 1945-October 1947), he went on to attend Marquette University in Milwaukee, where he earned a Bachelor of Philosophy degree in 1950 and a Master of Arts in 1951. Later he enrolled at the University of Wisconsin where, in 1956, he earned a Ph.D. in Communication and Public Address.

While at the University of Wisconsin, Dr. Cleary held a number of positions that prepared him for his future role as a college president. From 1954 to 1969, he worked his way up from a University Fellow and teaching assistant to instructor, then to professor, next to Assistant Chancellor, and finally to Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Professor of Speech.

In 1969, Dr. Cleary began his presidency of San Fernando Valley State College, which was redesignated California State University, Northridge (CSUN) in 1972. When he arrived on campus, SFVSC was saddled with a number of contentious issues and student protests. Dr. Cleary immediately began dealing with these issues, bringing calm and stability back to the college. He met with faculty and student leaders, and he led the way in establishing the Departments of Chicano/a Studies and Pan African Studies. Dr. Cleary gave his solid support to SFVSC's nascent Educational Opportunities Program, which opened broader access to the campus for a more diverse student population.

President Cleary's tenure also was marked by steady academic growth and a robust facilities expansion. San Fernando Valley State College had an enrollment of 20,000 students and offered 59 degree programs in 1969. At the time of Dr. Cleary's retirement, CSUN offered 90 degree programs and enrolled more than 31,000 students. The campus had expanded in physical size and added many new major buildings, including the iconic Delmar T. Oviatt Library. The construction of 14 dormitories and the Matador Bookstore helped add a dramatic new residential flavor to the campus.

Dr. Cleary guided the university's participation in National Collegiate Athletic Association sports as Chairman of Division II and a member of the NCAA President's Commission. He also organized the Western States Football Conference and became its first president.

President Cleary also was instrumental in establishing California State University, Northridge as a center for educating deaf and other disabled students, as well as fostering educational equity and ethnic diversity. He was the driving force behind the university's growing international reputation and global reach, as represented by the establishment of the China Institute at CSUN, as well as educational and cultural exchange programs with many Chinese universities and other institutions from around the world.

In 1974, Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley awarded President Cleary the "key to the city" in recognition of his outstanding community involvement. In 1982, Dr. Cleary was named president of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (ASSCU). The Exxon Foundation named President Cleary one of the nation's 100 most effective college presidents in 1986. He published many articles, bibliographies and monographs, most notably his co-editing of the prestigious Roberts Rules of Order, Newly Revised (1970, 1981, 1990). His expertise in parliamentary procedure made him the natural selection as parliamentarian for the CSU Board of Trustees and the American Association of State Colleges and Universities.

Dr. Cleary retired from California State University, Northridge, in 1992 after 23 years of service. He died at the age of 80 on April 28, 2007, in Boise, Idaho. His impact on the university's entrance into the 21st Century was profound and has yet to be fully measured. He was a man of bold vision, with an obvious love of the institution he called home for so long.