Dr. Clifton R. Wharton Jr., Former President of Michigan State University and Founder of MSU Research Foundation, Passes Away at 98.
Former MSU President and Founder of the MSU Research Foundation remembered for his leadership in higher education, business, and philanthropy.
New York, N.Y. (Nov. 18, 2024)—Dr. Clifton R. Wharton, Jr., former President of Michigan State University and the founder of the Michigan State University Research Foundation, has passed away at the age of 98.
Wharton served as MSU’s president from 1970-1978 and was a pioneer in multiple fields, including foreign economic development, higher education, philanthropy, and business. His accomplishments were vast, and his impact immeasurable. Highlights of his career include:
Fortune 500 Company CEO: Dr. Wharton was Chairman and CEO of TIAA-CREF, the nation's largest pension fund, with asset over $390 billion.
First African American President at Michigan State: President of Michigan State University (1970-1978).
Leader of Nation’s Largest University System: As Chancellor of the State University of New York (1978-1987), he led the nation's largest university system, comprising 64 campuses.
Key Roles in Philanthropy: Early in his career, Dr. Wharton worked in Singapore and Malaysia (1958-1964) representing a foundation headed by John D. Rockefeller III. He later becoming Chairman of the Rockefeller Foundation (1982-1987).
Public Service: Dr. Wharton served as Deputy Secretary of State under President Clinton.
Corporate Leadership: He held directorships at major corporations, including Ford Motor Company, Time Warner, Equitable Life, Tenneco, Federated Department Stores, Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), New York Stock Exchange, and Harcourt General. He also served as Vice Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
MSU President and MSU Research Foundation board member Dr. Kevin Guskiewicz commemorated Wharton as the first Black president of a major U.S. public research university in a statement issued Sunday.
“Clifton Wharton Jr.’s profound influence on Michigan State University persists through vital programs launched on his watch, including, notably, the capital campaign resulting in the magnificent performing arts center now bearing his name and that of his wife, Dolores," said Dr. Guskiewicz.
In the mid-1970s, Dr. Wharton led a $17 million enrichment program to provide funds for a performing arts center, faculty chairs, library, and museum facilities. The Wharton Center for Performing Arts was completed in 1982 and named in honor of Dr. Wharton and his wife, Dolores, recognizing the couple’s contributions and service to MSU.
Dr. Wharton was also the founder of the Michigan State University Foundation, which was incorporated in 1973 with the goal of centralizing and expanding external funding sources for the university. At the time, the university primarily relied on gifts, grants, student fees, and state appropriations to meet its financial needs. Recognizing a large void in funding for special projects, Wharton established the nonprofit foundation to solicit resources for scientific research, educational studies, scholarships, constructing buildings, grounds improvements, and equipment. He presided over the Foundation’s first meeting on July 5, 1973, at the Kellogg Center in East Lansing and served as its first Vice Chair from 1973 to 1977.
“While there had been discussion of creating a Foundation from time to time, it was not until President Wharton’s arrival that deliberate institutional action took place to launch the organization,” said David Washburn, current Chief Executive Officer of the MSU Research Foundation.
After the formation of the MSU Foundation, Wharton’s vision established the goals and objectives, and it was agreed that the Foundation should engage in both “fund raising, encouraging research projects and handling patents.”
Towards the end of Dr. Wharton’s tenure at MSU, discussions on licensing Cisplatin had begun. Cisplatin would go on to become a dominant cancer therapeutic that has saved the lives of millions of patients around the world.
“Establishing the MSU Foundation was visionary,” Washburn continued. “Its early formation enabled the university to develop its advancement offices, license intellectual property, and establish relationships with the corporate sector.”
Wharton earned a BA in history from Harvard, an MA from the School of Advance International Studies at Johns Hopkins, a PhD in economics from the University of Chicago, and has been awarded 62 honorary doctorates.
Dr. Wharton is survived by his wife of 74 years, Dolores, and son, Bruce.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family has established the Dr. Clifton and Dolores Wharton Legacy Fund at Michigan State University. Contributions will support the Wharton Center's Endowment Fund, providing lasting support for the Wharton Center for Performing Arts. https://givingto.msu.edu/gift/index.cfm?sid=19758.