Wiley S. Bolden papers

Dr. Wiley Speights Bolden was born on December 18, 1918 in Birmingham, Alabama to Gertrude Mildred Speights Bolden and Wiley Lee Bolden Jr. He attended Alabama State Teachers College (now Alabama State University) from 1935 to 1939 and received a Bachelor's of Science degree in Chemistry. He then enlisted in the United States Army Service Corps during World War II, and served from 1944 to 1946. He went on to receive a Master's degree in Psychological Services from Teachers College, Columbia University in 1947. He continued his doctoral studies at Teachers College during the summers. In 1953, he received a one year fellowship for his doctorate, which he completed in 1954, and wrote his dissertation on comparing student-centered and teacher-centered education. He received an Education Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Teachers College in 1957.

During his career, Dr. Bolden worked at Clark College (now Clark Atlanta University) while completing his doctorate. At Clark College, he served as a professor of psychology, chairman of the department, and later dean of faculty and instruction. In 1962, he was one of two African American licensed psychologists in the State of Georgia. In 1978, He was the first African American to serve as a member of the Georgia State Board of Examiners of Psychologists and later as President of the Board. In 1970, he served as a professor of educational foundations at Georgia State University and became Professor Emeritus following his retirement in 1987. The Board of Regents appointed him acting president of Savannah State College from 1988 to 1989. While there, Bolden fought off threats of a merger with Armstrong State College (now Armstrong State University). In 1988, he received the Roger C. Smith Award from the American Association of State Psychology Boards. He was Vice President of Academic Affairs at Morris Brown College from 1992 to 1994.

He served on the Board of Trustees for Carrie Steele-Pitts Home, Inc. as president, secretary, and committee chair. He is a life member of the American Psychological Association, the Southeastern Psychological Association, and the Georgia Psychological Association. He is a member of the American Association of Black Psychologists and a fellow in the American Association of State Psychology. Bolden is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Beta Upsilon chapter as well as a member of Warren Memorial United Methodist Church in Atlanta, GA. His career showcases him as an educator and philantropist. Bolden worked as a teacher and principal at Alabama public schools, as well as other universities including North Carolina State University. He was vice president or president in several private and governmental agencies including the Southeastern Education Laboratory and the Southern Education Foundation. Through his work in professional psychology and in civic, social, and church organizations, he has received numerous prestigious awards and citations.

Dr. Bolden married Willie Creagh Miller on August 13, 1945. He and his wife had four children. Willie Bolden pased away on February 11, 1992. Bolden passed away on January 30, 2018.