Clifton Wharton Jr., trailblazing former Michigan State University President, dies at 98

Clifton R. Wharton Jr., former president of Michigan State University (MSU) and a trailblazing leader, passed away on Saturday in New York City at the age of 98, the university announced on Sunday. His family confirmed the cause of death as cancer.

Wharton made history as the first Black president of a major U.S. public research university, serving as MSU’s president from 1970 to 1978. His tenure marked the beginning of a career filled with groundbreaking achievements.

Following his time at MSU, Wharton became the first Black chancellor of the State University of New York, overseeing the nation’s largest university system with 64 campuses from 1978 to 1987. He later transitioned to the private sector, becoming the first Black CEO of a Fortune 500 company as chairman and CEO of TIAA-CREF, a major pension fund managing billions in assets.

In 1993, Wharton continued his trailblazing journey by serving as U.S. Deputy Secretary of State under President Bill Clinton, further cementing his legacy as a leader who broke barriers across academia, business, and government.