Clyde J. Wingfield
Clyde J. Wingfield, who served as NIU’s president for a turbulent 10 months from July of 1985 to May of 1986, died Thursday, Sept. 15, in Dallas. He was 80.
NIU’s ninth president held bachelor’s and master’s degrees in political science from East Texas State University and a Ph.D. in political science from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University. He also served in the U.S. Air Force as an intelligence officer during the Korean War.
“I’ve known Clyde for many, many years,” said NIU Regency Professor Emeritus William R. Monat, who preceded Wingfield in the university’s top job. “He was a warm and personal colleague and friend of mine and a highly respected academic.”
Wingfield taught political science in Texas and Pennsylvania before coming to NIU in 1962 to direct the graduate program in public administration. Two years later, he returned to Texas.
After serving various administrative positions in universities across the country, including the presidency of Bernard M. Baruch College-City University of New York and State University of New York-College at Old Westbury, Wingfield returned to DeKalb as NIU president.
Controversy marked his short tenure, however.
A memorial service is planned for 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, in Room 138 of the Annette Caldwell Simmons Hall at Southern Methodist University.
