Dr. Brage Golding, Former President

Dr. Brage Golding received a Bachelor's of Science in Chemical Engineering from Purdue University in 1941.  In 1948, he completed his doctorate in chemical engineering, also from Purdue University.  Later, Golding became Assistant Director of Research for the Lilly Industrial Coatings Company of Indianapolis, and also served as a Research Associate at Purdue.  In 1957, Golding was promoted to Director of Research and eventually became the Head of the School of Chemical Engineering in 1959.  Eight years later, Golding left his position at Purdue and became the founding president of Wright State University in Ohio, helping the school achieve full undergraduate and graduate accreditation.  

In 1972, Dr. Golding began his tenure as San Diego State University's fifth president.  As president, Golding changed San Diego State College to San Diego State University.  He instituted a successful affirmative action program, and increased the standards of performance for faculty.  Golding also helped get SDSU into the Western Athletic Conference.  Despite these achievements, Golding had a cantankerous relationship with California Governor Jerry Brown and the California State University Chancellor.  As a result, Golding left SDSU in 1977, and went on to serve as President for Kent State University, and later as president for Metropolitan State Unviersity in Denver, and Western State University in Gunnison, Colorado.

Oral History

• Dr. Brage Golding, Part 1: Early Life and Career
• Dr. Brage Golding, Part 2: San Diego State University to Present

Download the PDF transcript.

Dr. Brage Golding's oral history documents his family, and his academic and professional activities, with a heavy focus on his career at San Diego State University. The oral history has been divided into two parts. In Part 1, Dr. Golding discusses growing up in Chicago, and his military experience during WWII. He then reflects on his chemical engineering professorship at Purdue University. Of particular significance is Golding's remembrances of helping to found, and serve as president for, Wright State University in Ohio. Golding details the genesis of the university, including its funding, building, and hiring of personnel. In contrast, Part 2 focuses on Golding's career as the fifth president of San Diego State University, and his subsequent presidency at Kent State. He discusses the changes at San Diego State during his tenure, emphasizing the build up and success of the SDSU Research Foundation. Dr. Golding also examines his presidency at Kent State, and his effectiveness at quelling student unrest on campus.

Interview recorded on audio tape by Susan Resnik, Ph.D on April 26 - April 28, 2006.