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
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
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
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
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]
