Charles Bass Reed (September 29, 1941 – December 6, 2016) served as chancellor of the State University System of Florida from 1985 to 1998 and chancellor of the California State University (CSU) system from 1998 to 2012. Early life Born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Reed grew up in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania and was the eldest of seven children. His father, a graduate of the University of Notre Dame, was a civil engineer and construction supervisor. Reed played football in high school. Eventually, he earned a full athletic scholarship to George Washington University and received three degrees there: a B.S. in physical education (1963), M.A. in secondary education (1964), and Ed.D. in teacher education (1970). Early career From 1984 to 1985, Reed was chief of staff for Florida Governor Bob Graham. From 1985 to 1998, Reed served as the chancellor of the State University System of Florida. California State University chancellor Tenure (1998–2012) As the former chancellor of the California State University system, Reed oversaw 44,000 faculty and staff and 427,000 students on 23 campuses and seven off-campus centers. The CSU, which spans the entire state of California, had an annual budget of more than $5 billion at its peak, but recent budget cuts have significantly reduced this figure. An appointed Board of Trustees adopts rules, regulations, and policies governing the CSU. In March 2012, Reed was awarded the prestigious TIAA-CREF Hesburgh Award for Leadership Excellence, which is named in honor of the Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., president emeritus of the University of Notre Dame. In deciding the award, the judges cited Reed's commitment to students as chancellor of the CSU, where he has successfully steered the system's 23 campuses through state budget cuts while simultaneously meeting the complex demands of increasing enrollment. In addition, they highlighted Reed's efforts to build collaborative partnerships and award-winning outreach programs – particularly those dedicated to students from underserved backgrounds – that have received national acclaim. They also acknowledged his support of a number of multi-campus initiatives to improve research and instruction, and benefit local businesses and communities. Reed pledged the $20,000 prize from the Hesburgh Award to the William Randolph Hearst CSU Trustee's Scholarship fund. He and his wife Cathy have donated almost $90,000 to the scholarship fund since 1998. In 2008, Reed was awarded the Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education for his work in paving the way for increased higher education access