Memorial J. William Wenrich ’59

Born in York, Pa., Bill graduated from Ann Arbor (Mich.) High School, where he was class president, played football and tennis, and served on student council. He also was an Eagle Scout. At Princeton, Bill chose the Woodrow Wilson School and Campus Club, played rugby and IAA sports, managed the student laundry, and was a keyceptor and Chapel deacon.

Following graduation Bill earned a master’s degree in administration from the University of Michigan and then spent a year at San Francisco Theological Seminary as a Rockefeller fellow. Accepting a Foreign Service officer commission in 1962, Bill served in Bolivia for four years, then resigned  to work in the Dominican Republic with the International Development Foundation.

In 1966, Bill completed his Ph.D. in community adult education at Michigan and embarked on a career in educational administration, serving as president of Canada College, Santa Ana College, and Ferris State University and as chancellor of San Diego Community College District. From 1990 to 2003 he was chancellor of the Dallas County Community College District, the largest institution of undergraduate higher education in Texas, where his innovative programs helped more than 10,000 county students afford a college education.

Bill is survived by his wife, Martha; two children; and four grandchildren.