John Welty

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John D. Welty
Dr. John D. Welty at a Fresno Grizzlies baseball game in 2009
John Welty at a Fresno Grizzlies game in 2009
7th President of Fresno State University
In office
July 29, 1991 (1991-07-29) – May 8, 2013 (2013-05-08)
Preceded byHarold H. Haak
Succeeded byJoseph I. Castro
18th President of Indiana University (Penn.)
In office
July 1, 1985 (1985-07-01) – July 24, 1991 (1991-07-24)
Preceded byJohn E. Worthen
Succeeded byLawrence K. Pettit
4th Acting President of Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Interim
In office
July 1, 1984 (1984-07-01) – June 30, 1985 (1985-06-30)
Preceded byBernard J. Ganley
Succeeded byCharles R. Fuget
Personal details
BornAugust 1944 (age 79)
Amboy, Illinois, U.S.
SpouseSharon L. Brown-Welty
ChildrenFive
Residence(s)La Quinta, California, U.S.
Education
Alma materIndiana University (Ed.D. Administration in Higher Education, 1974)
OccupationSenior Consultant, AASCU Consulting
ProfessionProfessor of Education
Awards
  • President of the Year (2001, 2011), Calif. State Student Asso.
  • Chief Exec. Leadership Award (1999), Council for Advancement and Support for Education
Board member of
Academic work
DisciplineSociology
Sub-disciplineOrganizational behavior
Institutions

John D. Welty, a native of Amboy, Illinois, was the seventh and longest-serving president of Fresno State University before retiring on May 8, 2013.[1][2] He was appointed president on July 29, 1991. Before coming to Fresno, he had previously served as president of Indiana University of Pennsylvania for seven years. Welty has a doctorate in administration of higher education from Indiana University.[3]

In recognition of his highly productive career in higher education, Welty was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Western Illinois University, where he completed his undergraduate studies in 1965 before going on to Michigan State University.[4]

On August 17, 2012, Welty announced that he would retire as president of Fresno State in the summer of 2013.[2]

Career[edit]

  • California State University, Fresno: President and Professor of Education (1991–2013)
  • Indiana University of Pennsylvania: President (1985–1991); Interim President (1984–1985); Vice President for Student and University Affairs (1980–1984)
  • State University of New York at Albany: Associate Dean for Student Affairs/Director of Residences and Adjunct Assistant Professor, Counseling Psychology and Student Development (1977–1980); Director of Residences and Adjunct Professor, Counseling and Personnel Services (1974–1977)
  • Southwest State University, Marshall, Minnesota: Chairman, Division of Student Development and Instructor of Education (1967–1974)
  • Michigan State University, East Lansing: Admissions Counselor and Assistant Director, New Student Orientation Program (1966–1967)

Board Service in Higher Education[edit]

John D. Welty has served on both of the California State University (CSU) System's major strategic planning efforts and participated in the creation of the Voluntary System of Accountability which has been adopted by over 200 colleges and universities.

During his career in higher education, Welty has served on several advisory groups to the U.S. Departments of Education and Agriculture. He is the past-chair of the Renaissance Group, which is a national organization of over 30 universities charged with improving teacher education programs. Welty co-chaired the CSU's effort to create CALState Teach, a program designed for emergency credentialed teachers. He currently serves as Chair of the CSU Gender Equity Monitoring Committee.

In 2000, John Welty was elected to serve as the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Commissioner and served a three-year term. He is past chair of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) and the Western Athletic Conference Board of Directors.[1]

Honors and awards[edit]

  • Fresno Business Council's Excellence in Public Service Award (2003)
  • CSU President of the Year, given by the California State Student Association (2001 & 2011)
  • International Who's Who of Professionals (2000)
  • Honorary American FFA Degree (2000)
  • Chief Executive Leadership Award, Council for Advancement and Support Education (1999)
  • Alumni Achievement Award, Western Illinois University (1994)
  • ACPA Commission III Outstanding Service Award (1979)
  • Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Administration, SUNY-Albany (1977)
  • Robert H. Shaffer Distinguished Alumnus Award, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana (1986)

Controversy[edit]

In April 2011, his wife was appointed dean of graduate studies at Fresno State. The appointment was questioned by some faculty members while other positions and salaries are in the process of being cut. The provost announced Brown-Welty's appointment less than a week after the previous dean announced her departure and without searching or accepting other applications. Some faculty have accused the university of making the appointment so that Brown-Welty could retire with a higher pension.[5]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "About the President - Farewell to President John D. Welty". Fresno State University, Office of the President. February 13, 2022. Archived from the original on July 6, 2022. Retrieved July 6, 2022.
  2. ^ a b Armbruster, Shirley (August 17, 2012). "President John D. Welty announces retirement". Fresno State News. Fresno, California. Archived from the original on May 27, 2019. Retrieved July 6, 2022.
  3. ^ "Fresno State President Office". Fresno State University, Office of the President. Archived from the original on February 28, 2022. Retrieved July 6, 2022.
  4. ^ Shinberger, Darcie (April 19, 2010). "Welty Named Honorary Doctorate". Western Illinois University - University Communications & Marketing. Macomb, Illinois. Archived from the original on July 20, 2011. Retrieved July 6, 2022.
  5. ^ "Promotion of Welty's wife at Fresno State questioned". Fresno Bee. Archived from the original on March 21, 2012. Retrieved May 5, 2011.