Background
Fretwell, Elbert Kirtley was born on October 29, 1923 in New York City. Son of Elbert Kirtley and Jean (Hosford) Fretwell.
consultant university chancellor
Fretwell, Elbert Kirtley was born on October 29, 1923 in New York City. Son of Elbert Kirtley and Jean (Hosford) Fretwell.
Bachelor of Arts with distinction, Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, 1944; Master of Arts in Tchg., Harvard University, 1948; Doctor of Philosophy, Columbia University, 1953; honorary doctorate, Technology U. Wroclaw, Poland, 1976; honorary Doctor of Laws, Wesleyan University, 1981; DPS (honorary), University North Carolina, Charlotte, 1998.
Correspondent, Associated Press, 1942-1944;
staff writer, American Red Cross, 1944-1945;
vice consul, American embassy, Prague, Czech Republic, 1945-1947;
teacher, Brookline (Massachusetts) Public Schools, 1948;
teacher, Evanston (Illinois) Township High school and Community College, 1948-1950;
administrative secretary, John Hay Fellowships, John Hay Whitney Foundation, 1951-1953;
assistant professor, assistant to dean, Teachers College, Columbia University, 1953-1956;
associate professor, Teachers College, Columbia University, 1956;
assistant commissioner for higher education, New York State Department Education, 1956-1964;
summer faculty, University of California at Berkeley, 1964;
dean academic development, CUNY, 1964-1967;
president, State University of New York, Buffalo, 1967-1978;
chancellor, U. North Carolina, Charlotte, 1979-1989;
chancellor emeritus, U. North Carolina, Charlotte, since 1989;
senior associate, Molecular Delivery Corporation Inc., 1989-1991;
interim president, U. Massachusetts System, 1991-1992. Chair North Carolina education Studies and Accountability Commission, 1993-1997, North Carolina Transit 2001 Commission, 1995-1997. Interim president U. North Florida, 1998.
Member of commission higher institutions Middle States Association of Schools and Colls., 1965-1971, president, chairman, 1973-1974. Trustee Carnegie Foundation for Advancement Tchg., chairman, 1975-1977. Member Carnegie Council on Policy Studies in Higher Education, 1973-1979.
Board directors Microelectronics Center, North Carolina, 1981-1989, North Carolina Transportation History Foundation, since 1996. Trustee Wesleyan University, 1967-1970, Nichols School, Buffalo, 1969-1978, Canisius College, 1969-1976, Peace College, since 1997. Board dirs.Found. of U. North Carolina, Charlotte, 1981-1989.
Executive director commission on education New York State Constitutional Convention, 1967. Member North Carolina State Goals and Policy Board, 1983-1991. Consultant United States Information Svc., Austria, 1989, Spain and Hungary, 1990.
Vice chairman New York State American Revolution Bicentennial Commission, 1969-1976. President Mecklenburg county Boy Scouts American, 1985-1987. Member American Association State Colleges Universities (president 1978-1979), American Association forHigher Education (president 1964-1965), American Council Education (chairman 1980-1981), North Carolina Association Colleges Universities (president 1985-1986), National Rlwy.
History Society, Adirondack Mountain Club, Rotary (president chapter 1994-1995).
Married Dorrie Shearer, August 25, 1951. Children: Barbara Alice (Mistress Peter Cooke), Margaret Jean (Mrs.John C. Cross), James Leonard, Katharine Louise (Mistress Robert Saul).