Blenda Wilson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Blenda Jacqueline Wilson
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Wilson in 1977
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| 3rd President of California State University, Northridge | |
| In office September 1, 1992 – June 30, 1999 |
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| Preceded by | James W. Cleary |
| Succeeded by | Jolene Koester |
| 3rd Chancellor of the University of Michigan–Dearborn | |
| In office July 1988 – August 1992 |
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| Preceded by | William A. Jenkins |
| Succeeded by | James C. Renick |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 28, 1941 Perth Amboy, New Jersey |
| Spouses | Louis Fair, Jr. |
| Alma mater | Cedar Crest College (BA) Seton Hall University (MA) Boston College (PhD) |
| Profession | College administrator |
| Scientific career | |
| Institutions | |
| Thesis | An analysis of goal congruence in a geographically dispersed university: Implications for the governance of Antioch University (1979) |
| Doctoral advisor | Evan Collins |
Blenda Wilson, born on January 28, 1941, is a retired American university leader. She made history as the first African-American woman to become president of a large American university. This was a university with more than 25,000 students. She was the president of California State University, Northridge (CSUN) when the big 1994 Northridge earthquake happened. This earthquake was one of the worst natural disasters in U.S. history. Blenda Wilson led the effort to rebuild CSUN over several years. This project cost almost $400 million. More than 100 buildings on the campus were repaired or rebuilt.
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Early Life and Education
Blenda Jacqueline Wilson was born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. Her parents were Horace Lawrence Wilson and Margaret Brogsdale Wilson. She went to college and earned several degrees. She received her bachelor's degree from Cedar Crest College in Allentown, Pennsylvania in 1962. She then earned her master's degree from Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey in 1965. Later, she completed her Ph.D. from Boston College in 1979.
Career Highlights
Blenda Wilson held many important jobs at universities and non-profit groups. She worked at places like Rutgers University and Harvard University. In 1988, she became the first female chancellor at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. A chancellor is a top leader at a university.
Leading California State University, Northridge
In 1992, Blenda Wilson was chosen as the third president of California State University, Northridge (CSUN). She was the first woman and the first African-American person to hold this important job. She was also the first African-American woman to lead a very large American university.
While she was president, the 1994 Northridge earthquake hit. This was a huge natural disaster. The earthquake damaged or destroyed 107 buildings at CSUN. At the time, it was the most expensive natural disaster to affect a university in the United States. Blenda Wilson led the massive effort to rebuild the campus. This rebuilding project cost about $400 million and took several years.
Work at Nellie Mae Education Foundation
After her time at CSUN, Blenda Wilson continued her work in education. In 1999, she became the president and CEO of the Nellie Mae Education Foundation. This foundation is in Quincy, Massachusetts. She worked there until 2006.
Community Involvement
Blenda Wilson has also helped many organizations. She served as a trustee for groups like the Getty Foundation and the James Irvine Foundation. She was also involved with Boston College and the College Board. She even served as a deputy chairman for the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston.
Personal Life
Blenda Wilson was married to Louis Fair, Jr. They were married in 1985. Louis Fair, Jr. passed away in 2021.
