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March 30, 1998

WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY
PRESIDENT HARLEY E. FLACK SUCCUMBS TO CANCER

The fourth president of Wright State University, Dr. Harley E. Flack, died at 10 p.m., Sunday night at his home, surrounded by his family. Dr. Flack died of cancer. He had been on medical leave since Oct. 31, 1997, after he was diagnosed.

"This is a very sad occasion for the Wright State University family and for our community," said Thomas E. Palmer, vice chair of Wright State University's Board of Trustees and the vice president and general counsel of the Mead Corp. "Dr. Flack has left us a great legacy. His death is a great loss."

Born Feb. 12, 1943, in Zanesville, Ohio, Dr. Flack became the fourth president of Wright State University on Feb. 1, 1994. As president, he worked in collaboration with the campus community to build the framework necessary to carry Wright State into the next millennium. Under Dr. Flack's leadership, the university established a long range vision (Vision 2020), the 1998-2003 Strategic Plan and the University Master Plan. These three documents serve as the foundation of the university's ability to meet the future demands and expectations of the people it serves.

"Through his personal vision and the strength of his character, he has forged a vision for the future of this institution," said Palmer. "Thanks to his leadership with Vision 2020, which will chart the future for Wright State well into the future, the university is poised for greatness."

In 1994, working in conjunction with area education, government and business leaders, Dr. Flack signed an agreement with the University of Dayton and the Air Force Institute of Technology to create the Dayton Area Graduate Studies Institute (DAGSI). DAGSI has provided the community topnotch advanced engineering education and research.

As president, Dr. Flack worked to internationalize Wright State University. Under his guidance, the university created the University Center for International Education and established stronger relationships with university's affiliate universities in Japan and China. In addition, Dr. Flack shaped new collaborative programs at a number of other universities worldwide.

Dr. Flack served as provost and executive vice president at Rowan University in New Jersey (formerly Glassboro State College), from August 1989 until February 1994. During his tenure at Rowan, Dr. Flack led the strategic planning process for the college and had responsibility for developing Rowan's general education program. Prior to his service at Rowan, Dr. Flack was vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty at the State University of New York at Old Westbury. From 1974 to 1987, Dr. Flack served as the founding dean and a professor of the College of Allied Health Sciences at Howard University.

Dr. Flack served on the boards of the Miami Valley Economic Development Coalition, Miami Valley Center for Information Technology, Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra Association, and 2003 Century of Flight Cabinet. Other memberships include the Miami Valley Research Foundation, Ohio Aerospace Institute, and the Honorary Advisory Board of A Special Wish Foundation, Inc. He has chaired the Area Progress Council and the Ohio College Association and served as a member of the Association of Governing Boards Council of Presidents.

In addition to scholarly activities, Dr. Flack was a musician and composer. He published The Goree Suite, eight pieces for voice and African instruments. Dr. Flack also composed more than 25 works for piano and voice, including A Nation: All Families, which premiered at his presidential inauguration.

Dr. Flack was the recipient of many honors including Who's Who Among Black Americans; Order of the Shield, The Ohio State University; 1994 Distinguished Alumnus Award, Kent State University Alumni Association; 10 Top African American Males for 1994, Parity 2000, Dayton, Ohio; 1995 Distinguished Alumni Award, University of Buffalo, State University of New York, and the Paul Laurence Dunbar Humanitarian Award.

Dr. Flack earned his bachelor of science degree in physical therapy from The Ohio State University, a master of arts in rehabilitation counseling from Kent State University, and a Ph.D. in counselor education from the State University of New York at Buffalo.

Dr. Flack is survived by his wife Mignon and their four adult sons: Harley Flack II, Christopher Flack, Oliver Palmer and Michael Palmer, and grandson Christopher Farrar Flack.

Visitation will be held at 6 p.m., Friday, April 3, at the Ervin J. Nutter Center. Services for Dr. Flack will be held at 11 a.m., on Saturday, April 4, also in the Nutter Center. Interment will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Zanesville, Ohio, at 4 p.m., on Saturday, April 4. The family is requesting that in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Dr. Harley E. Flack Scholarship Fund at Wright State University.

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