Harry Finestone

Harry Finestone was born in Atlanta, Georgia. He earned his bachelor's degree in 1941, and a master's degree the next year. After serving in World War II, he earned his doctorate at the University of Chicago. After teaching at several universities in the east, he came to San Fernando Valley State College (SFVSC) and taught in the English department. He was chair of that department from 1966 to 1970, and served as dean of academic planning from 1970 to 1983. He oversaw the reform of general education at CSUN, and supervised the school's Institute for the Advancement of Training and Learning. He also helped resolve conflicts following the November 4th, 1968 protests, which resulted in the creation of departments of Pan-African Studies and Chicano Studies. Finestone retired in 1990. He passed away in 2003.