In Memoriam: William P. Locke
Locke was the dean of the College of Extended Studies for 26 years.
William P. Locke, Dean Emeritus of San Diego State University’s College of Extended Studies (CES), passed away on July 21 in San Diego at age 80.
Locke came to SDSU in 1974 to establish the College of Extended Studies. He envisioned the college as both a resource for the San Diego community and a center for cultural interaction.
During his 26-year tenure, the CES grew to include The Japan Studies Institute and the American Language Institute, one of the largest university-based English-as-a-second-language programs in the country with more than 4,000 students enrolled each year. Locke traveled to 62 countries, building relationships between SDSU and educational leaders abroad.
In the early 1990s, Locke led a successful campaign to raise $12 million for construction of the four-story Gateway Center to house the College of Extended Studies, the Entrepreneurial Management Center (now the Lavin Entrepreneurship Center) and the SDSU Research Foundation. Contributions from local and international businesses and individuals financed the building, located at the corner of Campanile Drive and Hardy Avenue.
Locke was born Sept. 15, 1934 in St. Louis and graduated from Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri. He served as a commissioned captain in the U.S. Army in combat and civilian assignments abroad. Upon discharge, he earned a master’s degree in human relations and a Ph.D. in urban education, both from St. Louis University, where he later established the College of Extended Studies – Metropolitan College and became its dean.
Locke relocated to San Diego in order to join SDSU. An acquaintance introduced him to Nayda Munoz, and they married in 1986.
“Bill had a lifelong commitment to community education in the broadest sense,” said Nayda Locke. “A deep concern for the underprivileged inspired him to find ways to improve individual lives and national economies.”
Locke is survived by his wife and their daughter, Lisana Locke. A committal service with military honors is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 12, at Miramar National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The Salvation Army Centre City Community Corps Chapel Restoration Fund, 2320 5th Ave. San Diego CA 92101.
Messages of condolence may be posted here.
