Paul A. Dodd Presenting Diploma to Graduate

Dr. Donald L. Garrity was a distinguished sociologist and administrator who began his career at San Francisco State University (SFSU) in 1956 as an assistant professor of sociology. Rising quickly through the ranks, he became Chair of the Sociology Department in 1961 and was appointed Vice President for Academic Affairs in 1966. Garrity played a central role during one of the most challenging periods in SFSU’s history—the late 1960s student protests—working closely with Presidents John Summerskill and S.I. Hayakawa. In 1975, he was named Provost by President Paul Romberg, symbolizing his leadership role in guiding the university’s academic direction.Beyond campus, Garrity was deeply engaged in public service. He served on local and national panels, advised crime commissions, participated in educational initiatives, and was active in anti-poverty efforts. Internationally, he was honored by the Liberian government for his role in developing the Monrovia Consolidated School System, one of several SFSU-led global education projects. Garrity also contributed to conferences and symposia on urban planning, corrections, and education, reflecting his broad expertise in sociology and criminology.In 1978, Garrity left SFSU to become President of Central Washington University, where he served for 13 years until his retirement in 1991. During his tenure, he established international exchange programs with Japanese universities and significantly expanded the university’s foundation endowment. Dr. Garrity passed away in 1994 at the age of 67. He is remembered as a principled, dynamic leader who left a lasting legacy in both higher education and public service.

Credits: Dr. Donald Garrity's bio was provided by Meredith Eliassen.