Professor of Education, Emeritus
Degree: Ph.D., Syracuse University, (1957); M.A., Atlanta University, (1949); B.A., Morehouse College, (1948)
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Profile
Charles Vert Willie was the Charles William Eliot Professor of Education, Emeritus. He was a sociologist whose areas of research include desegregation, higher education, public health, race relations, urban community problems, and family life. Before coming to HGSE, he was chairman of the Department of Sociology and vice president of student affairs at Syracuse University. He was appointed by President Jimmy Carter to the President's Commission on Mental Health and was a member of the Board of Directors of the Social Science Research Council. He served as vice president of the American Sociological Association and president of the Eastern Sociological Society. He also served as a consultant, expert witness, and court-appointed master in major school desegregation cases in larger cities such as Boston, Hartford, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Kansas City, Little Rock, Milwaukee, San Jose, Seattle, and St. Louis; and in other municipalities such as St. Lucie County and Lee County, Florida, and Somerville, Cambridge, and Brockton, Massachusetts. Willie was the author or editor of over 100 articles and 30 books on issues of race, gender, socioeconomic status, religion, education, urban communities, and family relations. Willie identified himself as an applied sociologist who was concerned with solving social problems.
Areas of Expertise
Achievement IssuesAffirmative ActionAt-Risk YouthDesegregationDiversityEducational EquityEthnic IssuesFamily IssuesLeadershipLearningMinoritiesMulticultural EducationRacial DiscriminationReform IssuesSchool ChoiceUrban Schooling
Awards
Career of Distinguished Scholarship Award, American Sociological Association,(2005)
William Foote White Award, Applied Sociology Section, American Sociological Association,(2004)
George Arents Award for Distinguished Alumni, Syracuse University,(1999)
Distinguished Scholar Award, Association of Black Sociologists,(1996)
Benjamin E. Mays Service Award, Morehouse College,(1994)
Dubois-Johnson-Frazier Award, American Sociological Association,(1994)
Maxwell Spirit of Public Service Award, Maxwell School, Syracuse University,(1994)
Robin Williams, Jr. Distinguished Lectureship Award, Eastern Sociological Society,(1994)
Distinguished Career Contribution Award, Committee on the Role and Status of Minorities, American Educational Research Association,(1990)
Distinguished Family Scholar Award, Society for the Study of Social Problems,(1986)
Lee-Founders Award, Society for the Study of Social Problems,(1983)
Distinguished Alumni Award, Maxwell School, Syracuse University,(1974)
12 Honorary Degrees
Publications
The Black College Mystique (with R. Reddick and R. Brown),(forthcoming)
A New Look at Black Families (with R. Reddick),(2003)
Student Diversity, Choice and School Improvement (with M. Alves and R. Edwards),(2002)
Black Power/White Power in Public Education (with R. Edwards),(1998)
Controlled Choice: A New Approach to Desegregated Education and School Improvement (with M. Alves),(1996)
Mental Health, Racism, and Sexism (with P. Rieker, B. Kramer, and B. Brown),(1995)
Theories of Human Social Action,(1994)
African Americans and the Doctoral Experience (with M. Grady and R. Hope),(1991)
The Education of African Americans (with A. Garibaldi and W. Reed),(1991)
Caste and Class Controversy on Race and Poverty: Round Two of the Willie/Wilson Debate,(1989)
Racism and Mental Health (with B. Kramer and B. Brown),(1973)
Associations
Chair, Board of Directors, Judge Baker Children’s Center,(2001-2003)
Former Member, Advisory Board, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University,(1992-2000)
Former Chair, Greeley Foundation for Peace and Justice,(1989-1992)
Former Member, Board of Directors, Social Science Research Council,(1971-1977)
Committee Member, National Advisory Committee, Hogg Foundation for Mental Health,(2002-)
Former Vice President, American Sociological Association,(1996-)
Former Member, President's Commission on Mental Health (appt. by Jimmy Carter),(1979-)
Former President, Eastern Sociological Society,(1975-)
Honorary Trustee, Episcopal Divinity School
Overseer Emeritus, Boston Museum of Science
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