Parker, William C.
(born: 1925 - died: 2008)William C. Parker, from Cairo, IL, was the Vice Chancellor of Minority Affairs at the University of Kentucky from 1984-1990. His responsibilities included the recruitment and retention of minority students. He also was a diversity adviser to the university. Parker served the state as well by leading the development of the Kentucky Association of Blacks in Higher Education.
Dr. Parker, a veteran of the U.S. Navy, had taught at a number of schools and been employed at the Educational Testing Service (ETS) before coming to Kentucky. After his retirement, he established Parker & Parker, a human resources consulting firm that worked with hundreds of schools throughout the United States.
Dr. Parker was also an adjunct professor at the Bluegrass Community and Technical College. He was a professional speaker, and he received many awards for his leadership. He wrote a number of articles, books, and other works, e.g., the video Formula for Success.
Dr. Parker was a two-time graduate of Illinois State University and earned his Ph.D. at Columbia Pacific University. He was the son of Magdelene Reynolds Parker, a Cairo school teacher, and Clarence H. Parker.
For more see "William C. Parker" in Pulaski County, Illinois, 1987, by the Pulaski County History Book Committee; Reinette Jones, "William C. Parker, 1925-2008" in UKKnowledge; and B. Musgrave, "Longtime educator dies," Lexington Herald Leader, 6/2/2008.
