President's Condensed Biography
John D. Welty was appointed president of California State University, Fresno July 29, 1991. He also is a professor in the Kremen School of Education and Human Development.
During his time as president, Fresno State has been recognized nationally as an engaged university and has grown in stature academically. More than $182.3 million in construction has been completed, and a new $90 million library is under construction. The Smittcamp Family Honors College has been created, and new doctoral programs have been developed. The university has increased private fund raising and grant and contract activity, as well.
Dr. Welty is recognized nationally as a leader in planning for the future, teacher education reform, information technology planning, substance abuse prevention, service learning and intercollegiate athletics. He served on the Cornerstones Group, which created the CSU’s strategic plan, and he has served on several advisory groups to the U.S. Departments of Education and Agriculture.
He has been involved extensively in teacher preparation reform. He has chaired AASCU, the senior college commission of WASC and served on several national groups. Previously, Dr. Welty served as president of Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) for seven years. Prior to assuming the presidency of IUP, he served as vice president for student and university affairs for four years.
Dr. Welty received his bachelor’s degree in social science from Western Illinois University, Macomb, in 1965; his master’s degree in college student personnel services from Michigan State University in 1967; and his doctorate in administration of higher education from Indiana University, Bloomington, in 1974.
