Paul A. Dodd, July 1962

President Paul A. Dodd, a native of Missouri, was appointed in July, 1962. Dr. Dodd retired from UCLA in 1961, where he had served as a member of the faculty, as Dean of the College of Letters and Science, and as Acting Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs.He was on special assignment as a consultant for the Middle -East Technical University in Ankara, Turkey, when he was invited to become President of San Francisco State College. His academic specialties included economics, industrial relations, and educational administration. During his tenure at SF State, President Dodd supported the establishment of the first college-sanctioned platform for free speech in the United States—a redwood structure located in the northwest corner of the Quad. This effort, developed in collaboration with the Forensics Union, Associated Students, and the Speech Department, reflected his commitment to open dialogue and student engagement in public discourse. Dr. Dodd retired from San Francisco State in 1966, after accepting the position of Director, Western Area Office, Institute of International Education. He died August 22, 1992.

Credits: Paul A. Dodds bio was provided by Meredith Eliassen.