Hall of Fame 2016
Meet the NAU College of Education Hall of Fame inductees
Dr. Wilson Camanza Riles
Dr. Wilson Camanza Riles graduated from Northern Arizona University (then known as Arizona State Teachers College at Flagstaff) in 1940 with a degree in education. After serving in the US Army Air Force during World War II, Riles served in a variety of teaching positions and was appointed as Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction for the State of California. In 1970, he defeated the incumbent Max Rafferty for the position of California State Superintendent of Public Instruction, the first African American to be elected to statewide office in California. He was the first recipient of NAU’s Alumni Achievement Award in 1968, and received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from NAU in the spring of 1976.
Dr. Anthony R. Ross
Dr. Anthony Ross earned his Bachelor of Arts in Sociology at St. Lawrence University in 1975 and Master of Arts in Counselor Education in 1978. He received his Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University in 1984. Dr. Ross has served in a multitude of positions throughout his career in higher education, and is known for his impeccable reputation among faculty, staff, and students alike. Among a plethora of accolades, he was awarded the Martin Luther King Jr. Achievement Award from the Northern Arizona University Black Student Union and the Fred Turner Award for Outstanding Service to NASPA (Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education). He is a deeply devoted advocate for education and works to support diversity in higher education.
Dr. James K. Zaharis
Dr. James Zaharis earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology & History from Northern Arizona University (then known as Arizona State College of Flagstaff) in 1963 and Master of Arts in Education in 1968. He has over 43 years of experience in education. Dr. Zaharis is the Vice President for Education at Greater Phoenix Leadership and served 15 years as the Superintendent of the Mesa Unified School District. Among numerous accolades, Dr. Zaharis has been named on The Business Journal’s top 100+ for “The Valley’s Most Influential Business Leaders” in Education and Arizona State Superintendent of the Year. He is a deeply involved leader in Arizona’s education community and sets a sterling precedent for his successors.