James Cleary

James Cleary began his service as President of Valley State College in 1969 in the midst of great social upheaval on campus that led to the development of multiple ethnic studies programs. During his 23 years as president, Cleary oversaw the campus' designation as California State University, Northridge, accompanied by a remarkable surge in student enrollment that over the following decades forced unprecedented expansion. This interview was conducted in 1990 by John Broesamle, now Professor Emeritus of History. He passed away in 2007.