Charles B. Reed

Reed was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and was the oldest of seven children. A football standout, he earned a full athletic scholarship to George Washington University and received three degrees there: a B.S in physical education (1963), an M.A. in secondary education (1964), and an Ed.D in teacher education (1970).

Reed began his career in higher education as a graduate assistant at George Washington University, where he later served as a tenured professor in education. He served a decade in various capacities in the Florida Department of Education. He then went on to work for six years in the executive office of the Governor of Florida, beginning as education policy coordinator and ending as chief of staff.

Reed was best known for heading two of the country’s largest public university systems. He served as chancellor of the State University System of Florida from 1985-1998; and as chancellor of the California State University system from 1998-2012. Additionally, he served as chief of staff to Florida Governor Bob Graham from 1984-1985.

As chancellor of Florida’s State University System (SUS), Reed was known for his work ethic and his advocacy of more state funding for the universities. Together with the SUS governing body, the Florida Board of Regents, he selected presidents for each of the system’s universities. During his tenure, enrollment in the SUS universities rose from 147,000 to 223,000. Dr. Reed oversaw the creation of the system’s tenth university, Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers. He was instrumental in establishing the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory through a partnership including Florida State University and the University of Florida.

In California, Reed Steered the system’s 23 campuses, 44,000 faculty and staff, and 427,000 students through a period of severe state budget cuts, while simultaneously managing the complex demands of increasing enrollment. He was credited with building collaborative partnerships and award-winning outreach programs - particularly those dedicated to students from underserved backgrounds-that received national acclaim. He led the creation of the Early Assessment Program, a partnership with the California Department of Education and California’s State Board of Education, to provide an early warning system on students’ readiness for college. That program was cited by the Commission of the Future of Higher Education as “one of the best national models of how higher-education and K-12 officials can collaborate to help students.”

He was widely respected as a leader and speaker on education, finance, management, governance, student outreach, workforce preparation, and the politics of education. He served internationally and nationally as a board member, consultant, conference leader, and keynote speaker for education and business organizations.

He was the recipient of seven honorary degrees and numerous awards, including the prestigious Harold W. McGraw Jr. Prize in Education, which recognizes outstanding leaders who have dedicated themselves to improving education; as well as the TIAA-CREF Hesburgh Award for Leadership Excellence, in recognition of his outreach to traditionally underserved student populations.

Reed took an active leadership role on many civic and corporate boards, including the boards of the National Center for Educational Accountability, the National Business-Higher Education Forum, and the College Board. He also chaired the American Association of State Colleges and Universities’ National Commission on College and University Tenure.

He is survived by his wife and childhood sweetheart, Catherine Sayers Reed, their children Charles “Chip” Reed (Katherine Moore), Susan Reed Amabile (John Amabile) and five grandchildren Mattox, Sam, Charlie, John and Marc. He is also survived by siblings Bonnie Fritz, Samuel Ross Reed Jr., Jim O’Donnell, Elizabeth Shellenberger, Edward Reed and Thomas Reed, all of Pennsylvania.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, April 29, 2017 in St. Ann Catholic Church, 232 E. High St., Waynesburg, with Rev. J. Francis Frazer as celebrant, followed by private inurnment in St. Ann Cemetery.