William Russell Ellis was the first full-time African-American instructor at The Claremont Colleges. He taught at Pitzer from 1966–69, during a period of pivotal civil rights changes in the US. In his conversation with Pitzer Professor of Sociology Phil Zuckerman, Professor Ellis will reveal an intimate perspective on Pitzer in the ’60s and the growing pains of The Claremont Colleges during this time period.
Born in Los Angeles in 1935, Professor Ellis was raised in San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties. He graduated from Compton High School, where he was a gifted athlete, earning a four-year track scholarship to UCLA. Professor Ellis received his BA and PhD in sociology from UCLA.
Presented by the Pitzer College Archives and the Office of the President in honor of Pitzer’s 50th Anniversary.
“Pitzer in the ’60s: A Conversation with William Russell Ellis” is presented by the Pitzer College Archives and the Office of the President with support from the Pitzer College Campus Life Committee and the Agnes Moreland Jackson Diversity Program Endowed Fund.
