Wilson Camanza Riles

Background

Riles, Wilson Camanza was born on June 27, 1917 in Alexandria, Louisiana, United States.

Education

Bachelor, Northern Arizona University, 1940. Master of Arts, 1947. Doctor of Laws, 1976.

Doctor of Laws, Pepperdine College, 1965. Doctor of Laws, Claremont Graduate School, 1972. Doctor of Laws, University Southern California, 1975.

Doctor of Laws, University Akron, 1976. Doctor of Laws, Golden Gate University, 1981. Doctor of Humane Letters, St. Mary's College, 1971.

Doctor of Humane Letters, University Pacific, 1971. Doctor of Humane Letters, University Judaism, 1972.

Career

He was the first African American to be elected to statewide office in California. He served three terms as the elected California State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Riles had been serving as a deputy superintendent under Rafferty and had almost no name recognition when he launched his campaign to replace Rafferty.

In 1970 Riles, then-Deputy Superintendent for Program and Legislation, became convinced that the State"s educational system could not survive another term of Max Rafferty"son

Riles was elected to a second term in 1974 and a third term in 1978. In 1982 he lost his bid for a fourth term to Louis "Bill" Honig.

Riles was the first African-American to be elected to statewide office in California. He was also the first African-American in the nation to be elected state superintendent of schools.

Riles was born June 27, 1917, near Alexandria, Rapides Parish, Louisiana.

He was orphaned at an early age and was raised by family friends. Riles died April 1, 1999 at Mercy Hospital in Sacramento, California. He founded the Wilson Riles Archives and Institute for Education in Sacramento as a resource for historical information about K-12 public education in California.

The facility includes an archival collection available for research, a traveling exhibit for display, and an information and referral service.

Wilson C. Riles Middle School in Roseville, California, is named for him.

Achievements

• Wilson Camanza Riles has been listed as a noteworthy Educational consultant by Marquis Who's Who.

Membership

Ex-officio member board regents University California, 1971-1982. Ex-officio trustee California State Universities and Colleges, 1971-1982. National advisory council National Schools Volunteer Program.

Former member council Stanford Research Institute. Former member advisory council Stanford University School Business. Former member advisory board California Congress Parents and Teachers.

Former trustee American College Testing Program. Former member Education Commission of States. Past Second vice president National Parent-Teachers Association.

Former trustee Foundation Teaching Economics. Former member Joint Council Economic Education. Former member National Council for Children and television.

With United States Air Force, 1943-1946. Member Association California School Administrators, Cleveland Conference, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (Spingarn medal 1973), National Academy Public Administration, Phi Beta Kappa.

Connections

Married Mary Louise Phillips, November 13, 1941. Children: Michael, Narvia Riles Bostick, Wilson, Phillip.

Spouse:

Mary Louise Phillips

child:

Phillip Riles

child:

Wilson Riles

child:

Michael Riles

child:

Narvia Riles Bostick Riles