Francine G. McNairy
Francine G. McNairy | |
|---|---|
| 13th President of Millersville University of Pennsylvania | |
| In office March 2003 – January 26, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Joseph Caputo |
| Succeeded by | John M. Anderson |
| Personal details | |
| Education | University of Pittsburgh |
| Alma mater | Clarion University West Chester University Millersville University of Pennsylvania |
Francine Gladys McNairy is an American academic administrator who served as the thirteenth president of Millersville University of Pennsylvania from 2003 to 2013.[1] McNairy was the first African American woman to head one of Pennsylvania’s 14 state-owned universities.[2]
Life
McNairy earned a bachelor's degree sociology in 1968, a master's degree in social work in 1970, and a Ph.D. in speech rhetoric/communication with emphasis on interpersonal and small group communication from the University of Pittsburgh in 1978.[3][2] Her dissertation was titled, Black Students' and White Faculty Members' Perceptions of Black Students' Classroom Communication.[4]
In 1973, McNairy became an assistant professor at Clarion University.[5] She was promoted to dean of academic support services and assistant to the vice president for academic affairs.[3] For three years, McNairy served as the associate provost and interim social equity director at the West Chester University.[3][5] In August 1994, she joined Millersville University of Pennsylvania as its provost and vice president of academic affairs.[5][6] During the fall 1997 semester, she was the acting president while Joseph Caputo was on sabbatical.[5] She succeeded Caputo in March 2003 as the thirteenth president.[3][7] She was the first African American and woman in the role.[3] She stepped down on January 26, 2013 and announced her retirement.[8][6] She was succeeded by John M. Anderson.[9]
References
- ^ "Francine McNairy · Millersville's Past: Women Who Made a Difference · Millersville University Digital Exhibits". millersvillearchives.com. Retrieved 2025-09-13.
- ^ a b "Francine McNairy, A&S '68, SOCWK '70, A&S '78". www.alumni.pitt.edu. Retrieved 2025-09-13.
- ^ a b c d e Bates, Gerri (2007). "These Hallowed Halls: African American Women College and University Presidents". The Journal of Negro Education. 76 (3): 373–390. ISSN 0022-2984. JSTOR 40034579.
- ^ McNairy, Francine Gladys (1978). Black Students' and White Faculty Members' Perceptions of Black Students' Classroom Communication (Ph.D. thesis). University of Pittsburgh.
- ^ a b c d "Dr. Francine McNairy Selected the 'Ville's Next President". Exchange. Vol. XXXVI, no. 14. Public Relations Office, Millersville University of Pennsylvania. April 17, 2003. pp. 1–3. JSTOR community.34273174. Retrieved 2023-12-10.
- ^ a b "Dr. Francine G. McNairy". Diverse: Issues In Higher Education. 2022-10-22. Retrieved 2023-12-10.
- ^ Crisp, Marty (2004-04-03). "Making her own luck". LancasterOnline. Retrieved 2025-09-13.
- ^ Murphy, Jan (2012-01-26). "Millersville University President Francine McNairy says she will step down in 2013". pennlive. Retrieved 2023-12-10.
- ^ "History | Millersville University". www.millersville.edu. Retrieved 2023-12-10.