St. Cloud State University has announced the death of the university’s 15th president. Charles J. Graham died on December 23 in Minneapolis after a brief illness, he was 87 years old.

Interim president Ashish Vaidya shared the news with an email to St. Cloud State employees and students.
 
Graham worked parts of four decades in higher education, notably serving as the school’s president from 1971-1981. The message included several milestones achieved under Graham’s leadership:

–Founding of the partnership with Akita University in Japan
–Construction of the Atwood Mall, Administrative Services Building, Halenbeck Hall south addition and Wick Science Building
–Transition from St. Cloud State College to St. Cloud State University
–The first collective bargaining agreements with faculty and staff
–Founding of University Archives

Graham is survived by his wife, Florence, who goes by “Bonnie,” three sons, ten grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held January 11 at Centennial United Methodist Church in St. Paul starting at noon.
 
The university adds they are indebted to the Graham family for endowing the Charles and Bonnie Graham Scholarship for International Study.