Former California State University, East Bay President Ellis McCune died April 18 at the age of 84 from complications of pneumonia. He passed away in Palm Springs, Calif. at the nursing home where he had been living off and on since February.
McCune was president of the University for 23 years, when it was known as Cal State Hayward, starting his tenure in 1967 and retiring in 1990. He then served 18 months as the acting chancellor for the California State University system.
He was born in Houston, Texas. After graduating from high school, he worked as a grocery clerk and construction laborer, and even sold fried chicken from a cart. In WWII, he played drums and cymbals for the Air Force Band. After the war, he attended University of California, Los Angeles, earning bachelor’s and doctoral degrees in political science. He later taught at Occidental College and California State University, Northridge. McCune became the dean of academic planning for what was then called the California State Universities and Colleges system and was tapped for the interim president position of Cal State Hayward, which was then in its 10th year.
His time at Cal State Hayward was filled with student upheaval as many students across the state and country were protesting. McCune dealt with potential student rioters and was once barricaded in his office. He is remembered for his graceful handling of these situations.
He is survived by his wife Hilda; son James McCune and his wife Barbara; and one step-grandchild.
No funeral is planned. A memorial service for the East Bay community will be scheduled later this spring.
Donations may be made to the Ellis and Hilda McCune Scholarship Fund. Call (510) 885-2360 for more information.
–Rebecca Guyon
