Regents of the University of California

Biographies

Wada, Yoritada, b. Dec 25, 1916, Hanford, Calif. Appointed by Governor Jerry Brown, 1977-92. Committees: Grounds and Buildings, 1987-92; Hospital Governance, 1987-88; Educational Policy, 1987-88, 1990-92; Finance, 1987-91; Officers' Salaries and Administrative Funds, 1988; Audit, 1988-92 (Vice Chairman, 1990-91); Select a Student Regent, 1988-89, 1991-92; Chairman of the Board, 1983-84. Education: B.A. Journalism, 1940, UC Berkeley. Career: Executive Director, Buchanan YMCA, 1966-82. First Asian-American Regent; first member of a minority group to become Chairman of the Board.

Wainer, Stanley A., b. May 10, 1926, Los Angeles, Calif.; d. July 9, 1999. Ex officio Regent as Alumni Association President, 1981-82. Education: B.S. Business, 1950, UC Los Angeles. Career: President and CEO, Wyle Laboratories; CEO of several subsidiaries of Paramount Pictures Corp.

Wallace, Albert Joseph, b. Feb. 11, 1853, Canada. Ex officio Regent as lt. gov., 1911-15. Education: Victorial U., Toronto; LL.D. (hon.) 1912, U. So. Cal. Career: teacher, 1869-72; Methodist minister, 1872-78; in farming, banking, merchandising, oil operations, 1886-; L.A. city councilman, 1907-09; trustee, 1895-1939, U.S.C. Regent, 1897, Chaffee Coll. Pres., dir., Kendon Petroleum Co.

Wallace, William T., b. March 22, 1828, Mt. Sterling, Ky.; d. Aug. 11, 1909, S.F. Appointed to fill unexpired term of Regent Sachs, 1875-86; reappointed, 1886-1902. Career: came to San Jose, Cal., 1850; dist. atty., 1853-56, San Jose; Cal. atty. gen., 1856-58; assoc. justice, 1860-72; chief justice, 1872-80, Cal. Supreme Court; judge, 1886-98, S.F. Superior Court; mem., S.F. Bd. of Police Comnrs., 1898-1900.

Wangenheim, Julius, b. April 21, 1866, S.F.; d. March 10, 1942, San Diego, Cal. Ex officio Regent as pres., Cal. Alulmni Assn., 1926-28. Education: B.S. 1887, UCB. Career: bridge engineer, 1887-89, So. Pacific Railway; partner, 1884-95, Simon Newman Co., Newman, Cal.; partner, 1895-1903, Klauber-Wangenheim Co., San Diego; pres., 1903-07, Bank of Commerce, San Diego. Pres.: 1910-12, San Diego Park Bd.; 1919-20, San Diego Water Comn.; 1904-26, library bd. Chmn., 1910-16, civic bureau, Chamber of Commerce; trustee, 1926-37, Scripps Coll., Claremont. Was chmn. of bd., Klauber-Wangenheim Co.; Southern Title and Trust co. Was chmn., finance comm., First Ntl. Bank; chmn. at various times of park comn., city planning comn., water comn., harbor comn. Pres., Liberty Loan Comms. for San Diego county during World War I.

Warren, Earl, b. March 19, 1891, L.A. d. July, 1974. Ex officio Regent as gov., 1943-53. Education: B.L. 1912, J.D. 1914, LL.D. (hon.), 1954, UCB. Career: 1st lt., U.S. Army, 1917-18; clerk, 1919-20, Cal. Assembly Judiciary Comm.; deputy and chief deputy dist. atty., 1920-25, Alameda county; dist. atty., 1925-30, Alameda county; Cal. atty. gen., 1939-43; Chief Justice of the United States, 1953-69.

Waterman, Robert Whitney, b. Dec. 15, 1826, Fairfield, N.Y.; d. April 12, 1891, San Diego, Cal. Ex officio Regent as lt. gov., 1887, as gov., 1887-91. Career: postmaster, Geneva, Ill., 1850; came to Cal., 1850; mined until 1852; returned to Ill., published Wilmington Independent; helped found Rep. party in Ill., 1854; returned to Cal., 1873; discovered and developed silver mines; became extensive landowner; had interests in railway system; purchased gold mine.

Watkins, Dean A., b. Oct 23, 1922, Omaha, Neb. Appointed by Governor Reagan, 1969-84; Appointed by governor Deukmejian, 1984-96. Committees: Consider Increased Media Coverage, 1975; Nominating Committee, 1975-76, 1988-89; Finance, 1987-96; Investments, 1987-96; Audit, 1987-89, 1994-95, Chairman, 1993-94; Officers' Salaries and Administrative Funds, 1988, 1992; Employee Benefit and Retirement Programs, 1988-89; Oversight of the Dept. of Energy, 1989-96; Consider Selection of a President (Peltason), 1991-92; Educational Policy, 1991-92, 1994-96; Chairman of the Board, 1972-74. Education: B.S., 1944, Iowa State University; M.S., 1947, California Institute of Technology; Ph.D. Electrical Engineering, 1951, Stanford University. Career: Professor; holder of 7 patents in electronics; former Director, California Chamber of Commerce; CEO, Watkins-Johnson, Co.

Watson, John Samuel, b. Nov. 4, 1890, Williams, Cal.; d. Dec. 12, 1963, S.F. Ex officio Regent as pres., State Bd. of Agri., 1959-63. Education: B.S. 1913, UCB. Career: partner, 1913-16, Watson Bros. Dairy, Dixon; 1916-19, John S. Watson Dairy, Dixon; partner, 1920-21, T. K. W. ranch; mgr., partner, 1922-26, Bear Valley Ranch; mgr., partner, 1926-41, Moorehead and Watson Dairy, Petaluma; 1941-51 (partner with sons, 1951-63), John S. Watson Dairy, Petaluma; partner, 1950-63, Watson Ranches, Dixon. Dir.: Agri. Council of Cal., Cal. State Chamber of Commerce. Pres., consolidated Milk Producers. Dir.: Sonoma-Marin Dairymen's Assn.; mem., State Bd. of Agri., 1943-51, 1959-63.

Watt, William, b. July 14, 1828, Scotland; d. July 5, 1878, North Bloomfield. Appointed Regent, 1868-82; resigned, 1871. Career: came to U.S., 1848; to Cal., 1852. Miner near Grass Valley, 1852; purchased several mines. Cal. state senator, from Nev. county, 1861-63. Also served as Nev. state senator.

Waymire, James Andrew, b. Dec. 9, 1842, Buchanan county, Mo.; d. April 16, 1910, Alameda, Cal. Appointed, vice Regent Beard, 1892-1908. Career: teacher, reporter, 1860-61, Ore.; soldier, 1861-64; pvt. secty. to gov. of Ore., 1864-67; 2nd lt., 1867, 1st lt., 1869, resigned, 1869, 1st U.S. Cavalry; studied law 1869-70; admitted to Ore. bar, 1870; phonographic reporter, Cal. Supreme Court, 1872-75; became judge, superior court, 1881; assemblyman for Alameda, 1895-99.

Weeth, Lois W., b. Feb 5, 1922, Los Angeles, Calif. Ex officio Regent as Alumni Association Vice President, 1981-82. Education: B.S. Plant Pathology, 1943, UC Davis. Career: accountant; botanist.

Welcker, William Thomas, b. June 24, 1830, Athens, Tenn.; d. Nov. 4, 1900. Ex officio Regent as state supt. of public instruction, 1883-87. Education: grad. 1851, West Point. Career: U.S. Army, 1851-61; Ore. law practice, 1861-64; capt., Confederate Army, 1864-65; atty., miner, steamship co. agent, 1865-68; prof. (mathematics), UCB, 1869-81; atty., 1887-1900.

Wellman, Harry R., ex officio Regent as president of the University, 1967 (see Administration, Presidents).

Wenzel, Lee B., b. July 1, 1930, Edgeley, N.D.; d. April 2, 1990. Ex officio Regent as Alumni Association President, 1979-80. Education B.S. Business, 1952, UC Los Angeles; L.L.B., 1957, UC Los Angeles. Career: atty., Morgan, Wenzel & McNicholas; Deputy City Atty, Los Angeles, 1957-59.

Wesson, Herb J., Jr. b. Cleveland, Ohio. Ex officio Regent as Speaker of the Assembly, 2002-2004. Education B.A. History, 1999, Lincoln University; Career: former Chief of Staff to L.A. County Supervisor Yvonne Brathwaite Burke; former Chief Deputy to Los Angeles City Councilmember Nate Holden; elected Representative of 47th Assembly District, 1998; Chair, Governmental Organization Committee; member, Mid-City Chamber of Commerce; Culver City Chamber of commerce; Board of Directors, Martin Luther King, Jr. General Hospital Foundation; Advisory Board, African American Community Resource Center.

Wheeler, Benjamin Ide, Ex officio Regent as president of the University, 1899-1919 (see Administration, Presidents).

Wheeler, Charles Stetson, b. 1863, Fruitvale, Cal.; d. April 27, 1923, S.F. Appointed to fill unexpired term of Regent A. Miller, 1902-06; appointed to fill unexpired term of Regent Reinstein, 1911-12; reappointed, 1912-23. Education: A.B. 1884, UCB. Career: atty., handled many historic trust cases; twice declined appointment as chief justice of State Supreme Court; nominated Hiram Johnson for Pres. of U.S., 1920.

Wheeler, Charles Stetson, Jr., b. Oct. 4, 1889, S.F. Ex officio Regent as pres., Cal. Alumni Assn., 1940-42. Education: A.B. 1912, UCB; 1912-14, Harvard Law Sch. Career: S.F. law practice.

White, Stephen Mallory, b. Jan. 19, 1853, S.F.; d. Feb. 21, 1901. Ex officio Regent as lt. gov., 1887-91; appointed to fill unexpired term of Regent C. F. Crocker, 1899-1901. Education: 1871, Santa Clara Coll.; private law study. Career: admitted to Cal. bar, 1874; L.A. law practice; dist. atty., 1882-86, L.A. county; state senator from L.A. county and pres. pro tem, Cal. senate, 1886-90; acting lt. gov., 1888-90; U.S. Senator, 1893-99; temporary chmn., Ntl. Dem. Convention, 1888; permanent chmn., Dem. Convention, 1896.

Wilkens, Arthur Ernest, b. Aug. 29, 1890, S.F.; d. Oct. 19, 1963, S.F. Ex officio Regent as pres., Mechanics Inst. of S.F., 1961-62. Education: 1905-09, Cal. Sch. of Mechanical Arts, S.F. Career: architectural draftsman, 1909-11, D. H. Burnham and Co., S.F.; estimator to vice-pres., gen. mgr., 1911-28, Pacific Rolling Mill Co.; vice-pres., gen. mgr., 1928-48, Judson Pacific Co.; partner, 1945-63, Potrero Investments; ranching, 1946-63; was trustee, Cal. Sch. of Mechanical Arts; dir., vice-pres., Downtown Assn., S.F.; pres., Lick-Wilmerding board of trustees; past pres., Municipal Conference.

Willens, Earl P., b. Jan. 29, 1935, Stockton, Calif. Ex officio Regent as Alumni Association President, 1976-77. Education : B.A. Political Science, 1956, UC Berkeley; L.L.B., 1959, Boalt Hall School of Law. Career: Assistant U.S. Attorney for Southern California, 1959-61.

Williams, Harold M., b. Jan 5, 1928, Philadelphia, Penn. Appointed by Governor Jerry Brown, 1982-94. Committees: Audit, 1987-94; Finance, 1987-94; Investments, 1987-94; Officers' Salaries and Administrative Funds, 1988; Nominating Committee, 1988-91; Employee Benefit and Retirement Programs, 1988-89; Hospital Governance, 1990-91; Consider Selection of a President (Peltason), 1991-92; Vice Chairman of the Board, 1988-89, 1993-94. Education: A.B., 1946, UC Los Angeles; J.D., 1949, Harvard University. Career: Dean, UCLA Graduate School of Management, 1970-77; Regents Representative to Commission to review the Master Plan, 1987; J. Paul Getty Trust.

Willmon, David, Ex officio Regent as Alumni Association Vice President, 1998-99. Committees (1998-99): Educational Policy, Finance, Grounds and Buildings. Education: A.B., 1985, UC Riverside. Career: Served on California Community Colleges Board of Governors, 1992-9;. Named small business advocate of the year, California Chamber of Commerce and Governor's Small Business Advocate of the Year, 1996.

Wilson, Pete, b. Aug. 23, 1933, Lake Forest, Ill. Ex officio Regent as Governor, 1991-98. Committees: Oversight of the Dept. of Energy, 1991-98; Grounds and Buildings, 1991-98; Consider Selection of a President (Peltason), 1991-92; Audit, 1991-98; Hospital Governance, 1991-98; Educational Policy, 1991-98; Investments, 1991-98; Finance, 1991-98; Officers' Salaries and Administrative Funds, 1992. Education: B.A., 1955, Yale University; J.D., 1962, Boalt Hall School of Law. Career: elected to State Assembly from San Diego, 1966; became Mayor of San Di, 1971; elected U.S. Senator, 1982; reelected, 1988.

Wilson, William A., b. Nov. 3, 1914, Los Angeles, Calif. Appointed by Governor Reagan, 1972-88. Committees (1987-88): Audit, Investments, Hospital Governance. Education: B.A. Mechanical Engineering, 1937, Stanford University. Career: President, Web Wilson Oil Tools, Inc., 1955-61; Presidential Envoy to the Holy See, 1980-84; Ambassador to the Holy See, 1984-86; Trustee of President Reagan's Personal Trust.

Winans, Joseph W., b. July 18, 1820, N.Y.C.; d. March 31, 1887, S.F. Appointed to fill unexpired term of Regent Hammond, 1873-87. Education: A.B. 1840, M.A. 1843, Columbia Coll. Career: lawyer, 1843-49, N.Y.; arrived S.F., 1849; partner, 1849-61, law firm of Winans and Hyer, Sacramento; partner, 1861-87, law firm of Winans and Belknap, S.F.; city atty. for Sacramento for several years beginning 1852; elected pres., S.F. Bd. of Education, 1865; delegate to Cal. Constitutional Convention of 1878 where he led the successful movement to free the University from "all pernicious political influence."

Witter, Jean Carter, b. Jan. 3, 1892, Humbird, Wis. Ex officio Regent as pres., Cal. Alumni Assn., 1945-46. Education: B.S. 1916, UCB. Career: investment banking, 1916; jr. partner, 1922-24, Blyth, Witter and Co.; joined in forming Dean Witter and Co., 1924; partner, 1924-66, Dean Witter and Co. Dir.: I. Magnin and Co.; Yosemite Park and Curry Co.; Leslie Salt Co. U.S. Army, 1917-19. Dir., 1935-47, Piedmont (Cal.) Bd. of Education; campaign chmn., S.F. Community Chest, 1940; chmn., 1945-46, Red Cross War Fund Campaign. Mem. (pres., 1938-39), Investment Bankers Assn. Trustee: Mills Coll., 1947-57.

Witter, Wendell W., b. Oct. 16, 1910, Berkeley, Calif.; d. April 5, 2001. Ex officio Regent as Alumni Association President, 1969-70. Education: A.B., 1932, UC Berkeley. Career: General partner with Dean Witter investment banking company since 1933.

Wong, Alex, b. Aug. 26, 1967, San Francisco, Calif. Appointed Student Regent, 1992-93. Committees (1992-93): Audit, Educational Policy, Grounds and Buildings. Education: B.A. Political Science, 1990, UC San Diego; Boalt Hall School of Law.

Wood, William Christopher, b. Dec. 10, 1880, Elmira, Cal.; d. May 15, 1939. Ex officio Regent as state supt. of public instruction, 1919-27. Education: Stanford U.; M.A. 1919, U. So. Cal. Career: sch. principal, 1901-09; supt., 1914-19, Alameda city schools; Cal. bank comnr., 1927-30; officer, 1930-39, Bank of Am.

Wooten, Terrence A., b. March 2, 1973, Hawthorne, Calif. Appointed Student Regent, 1994-95. Committees (1994-95): Hospital Governance, Educational Policy, Oversight of the Dept. of Energy. Education: Biology, UC Riverside. Career: First Student Regent from the Riverside campus; first African-American Student Regent.

Wright, Henry Ward, b. March 4, 1868, Chickasaw county, Iowa. Ex officio Regent as speaker of the Assembly, 1919-22. Education: grad. 1892, Omaha Commercial Coll.; 1890, Iowa State Coll. Career: purchasing agent, 1892-99, Iowa State Inst., Glenwood; secty., Iowa Sate Bd. of Control; real estate investments, 1904-14, L.A.; trustee, 1909-10, Huntington Park, Cal.; assemblyman from L.A., 1914-21; mem., bd. supvrs., L.A. county, 1921.

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