Sherrill Cleland *57

Sherrill Cleland, former president of Marietta (Ohio) College, died Oct. 26, 2015, at age 91.

Cleland served in World War II and was decorated with a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. In 1949, he earned a bachelor’s degree from Oberlin, and then a master’s degree and Ph.D. from Princeton in economics.

An accomplished economist and professor, he was known for his commitment to mentoring and promoting equal rights and opportunities for women. A leader and innovator in education, he was president of Marietta College from 1973 to 1989. He also had been dean of academic affairs at Kalamazoo College.

Through the Ford Foundation, he served as an economic adviser to the country of Jordan from 1963 to 1964. From 1967 to 1969, he led the creation of a master’s degree program in development economics at the American University of Beirut. He had been a board member of the Cincinnati Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland. In retirement, he was chair of the Student Loan Funding Corp.

Cleland is survived by Diana, his wife of 27 years; 10 children; 19 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by Betty, his first wife of 39 years.

Graduate memorials are prepared by the APGA.