K. Leroy Irvis
Pennsylvania is honored that K. Leroy Irvis, the first African American to serve as a speaker of the house in any state legislature, was dedicated to higher education. His most noted achievements included creating the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, the Pennsylvania Higher Education Equal Opportunity Program, the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, and the Minority Business Development Authority.
Also, Mr. lrvis introduced on the floor of the House the idea of a Community College System in the commonwealth and is credited by his fellow representatives as being the “father of the Community College System. Because of his leadership in the state, his legislation created the University of Pittsburgh as a state-related university.