In Memoriam: Clarence Shelley

Clarence Shelley, a long-term member of the Champaign-Urbana community, most recently served the University as a special assistant to the chancellor. (Image by Bill Wiegand)

Clarence Shelley, a long-serving University of Illinois administrator, passed away on Jan. 17, 2022, in Champaign. He was 90.

Shelley came to the U of I in 1968 to run its Special Education Opportunities Program, colloquially known as Project 500, which was the first extensive effort by the University to offer equal educational opportunities for all the residents of Illinois. After successfully recruiting well over 500 African American students for the program, Shelley was named dean of students in 1974, and in 1984 he became assistant vice chancellor, then associate vice chancellor for Student Affairs, and finally special assistant to the chancellor.

“Dean Shelley was the kind of person people turned to when they needed wisdom, a kind word, a helping hand or the courage to drive change,” says Danita M. Brown Young, vice chancellor for student affairs. “Words cannot express how deeply grateful the University is that he chose to share his passion and gifts with countless students, faculty and staff members here.”