Ness, Frederic W. (Frederic William)

Biography

Frederic W. Ness was an academic who devoted his career to the world of higher education. He attended Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and the University of Cincinnati where he received his master's degree in English literature. He then went on to Yale University where he earned his Ph.D. and subsequently became a professor of English. His teaching career took a turn due to World War II. He enlisted in the Naval reserves and taught for four years at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

Ness changed his focus from educator to administrator in 1946 when he became Assistant to the Vice Chancellor at New York University. He left to become Dean at Dickinson College. Ness held a variety of other administrative postions before he moved to California to become the fourth president of Fresno State College in 1964.

Ness's years in Fresno proved to be short but effective. He implemented changes in a college that needed reform. He began by addressing lack of decision making by faculty. "In essence, what I would say is that no college in today's society can reach true heights without intelligent faculty involvement" (Inaugural address, Box 2, Professional career, Presidency, Inauguration, 1965).

In 1969, Ness left Fresno to become president of the Association of American Colleges (AAC), a position he held until his retirement in 1992. Frederic Ness died in 1998 in Annapolis, Maryland.

From the guide to the Frederic W. Ness Papers, 1940-1995, (Henry Madden Library (California State University, Fresno). Sanoian Special Collections Library.)