OLYMPIA — Charles McCann, the founding president of The Evergreen State College in Washington state, has died in Olympia. He was 89.
The college announced that he died Wednesday of natural causes.
McCann was appointed in 1968 to the lead the public liberal arts and sciences college in Olympia. He led the design of Evergreen’s unique educational model, hired faculty and oversaw the campus’ construction. The college opened its doors in 1971.
McCann served as president until 1977 when he stepped down to join the faculty. He retired from the faculty in 1991 but continued to teach classes.
He earned a doctorate in English from Yale University. In 1956, he joined the faculty of what is now Central Washington University, and later chair of the English Department and Dean of the Faculty.
The chairman of Evergreen’s board, Fred Goldberg, described him as a visionary who didn’t veer from his goals.
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