Clifton R. Wharton Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Clifton Reginald Wharton Jr.
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Wharton in 1987
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| 11th United States Deputy Secretary of State | |
| In office January 27, 1993 – November 8, 1993 |
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| President | Bill Clinton |
| Preceded by | Lawrence Eagleburger |
| Succeeded by | Strobe Talbott |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Clifton Reginald Wharton Jr.
September 13, 1926 Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | November 16, 2024 (aged 98) New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Spouse |
Dolores Duncan
(m. 1950) |
| Children | 2 |
| Parent |
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Clifton Reginald Wharton Jr. (born September 13, 1926 – died November 16, 2024) was an important American leader. He was a university president, a business executive, and even worked for the U.S. government. Throughout his life, he was a pioneer. He was often the first African American to hold many important jobs.
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Early Life and Education
Clifton R. Wharton Jr. was born in Boston. His father, Clifton Reginald Wharton Sr., was also a pioneer. He was the first African American to become a career ambassador for the U.S. Foreign Service.
Clifton Jr. was very smart. He finished Boston Latin School and went to Harvard College at age 16. He later earned advanced degrees. He was the first African American to get a Master of Arts degree in international affairs from Johns Hopkins University. He also earned a master's degree and a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Chicago.
People often called Wharton "the quiet pioneer." He achieved many "firsts" without a lot of fuss. He became a respected leader in many different fields.
Working for a Better World
Wharton started his career helping people in other countries. He worked in Latin America and Southeast Asia for foundations. These foundations helped with economic development. He also taught economics at the University of Malaya. Many of his students later became leaders in their own countries.
His work helped improve farming and trade. He studied how to help farmers grow more food. He was part of important groups that advised U.S. presidents. These groups focused on food, farming, and economic help for other nations.
Wharton also wrote books and articles about economics. In 1969, he became one of the first Black corporate directors in the U.S. He later served on the boards of many other big companies.
Leading Universities
In 1969, Clifton Wharton Jr. made history. He was chosen as president of Michigan State University. This made him the first African American president of a major U.S. university.
His time at Michigan State (1970-1978) was sometimes challenging. There were student protests, but he worked hard to keep the university strong. He made sure academic programs stayed excellent. He also helped students who faced economic challenges. He helped combine different medical schools at the university.
Wharton also started new programs for students and staff. His most lasting gift to the university was a new performing arts center. It was named the Wharton Center for Performing Arts in honor of him and his wife, Dolores.
In 1978, he became the leader of the State University of New York (SUNY) system. Again, he was the first African American to lead such a large university system. SUNY has 64 campuses! During his nine years there, he made the university system stronger. He improved its research and its reputation.
Business and Government Roles
In 1982, Wharton became chairman of the Rockefeller Foundation. He served as a trustee for 17 years. This foundation helps people around the world.
In 1987, he took on another big role. He became the CEO of TIAA-CREF. This is a huge company that manages pensions and financial services. This made him the first Black chairman and CEO of a major U.S. corporation. He was known for turning the company around and making it very successful.
Wharton also served on the boards of many other major companies. These included Ford Motor Company and Time-Warner. He also advised six U.S. presidents on foreign policy.
In 1993, President Bill Clinton chose Wharton to be the United States Deputy Secretary of State. This was the second-highest job in the U.S. State Department. He worked on reorganizing the department and managing foreign aid. He left this role in November 1993.
Awards and Legacy
Clifton Wharton Jr. was a member of the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics. He also served on the boards of several foundations and hospitals. He received many awards for his lifetime achievements. These included the President's Award on World Hunger in 1983. In 2015, his name was placed on a special frieze at Boston Latin School.
He received 63 honorary doctorates from different universities. Harvard University praised him as "One of the commanding leaders of our time." His autobiography, Privilege and Prejudice: The Life of a Black Pioneer, was published in 2015.
Personal Life
Clifton Wharton Jr. was married to Dolores D. Wharton. She also had a very successful career. She was a corporate director, a foundation executive, and an arts advocate. She was often the first woman and first Black director on the boards of major companies like Kellogg Co. and Gannett.
Dolores Wharton also supported the arts. She was appointed to the National Council on the Arts. She also served as a trustee for famous museums like the Museum of Modern Art. She wrote a book about artists in Malaysia.
The Whartons had two sons: Bruce Wharton and Clifton R. Wharton III.
Clifton R. Wharton Jr. passed away from cancer in New York on November 16, 2024, at the age of 98.
