Dr. Margaret V. Kiely was the first Dean of Faculty at Queens College, from when the college opened in October, 1937 through August, 1959.
She served as Acting President twice: first, when Dr. Klapper was on leave during the 1947-1948 school year; and second, after Dr. Klapper retired from Queens College and the search for the second president began, during the 1948-1949 school year.
“During Dr. Klapper’s leave, Dr. Margaret V. Kiely, dean at Queens since its beginning, has served as acting president. The board resolved last night that she should continue in that capacity, giving her all the powers of the president next Sept. 1 when Dr. Klapper’s resignation becomes effective.”
“In his inaugural address, Dr. Theobald, who is the youngest of the presidents of the four municipally owned colleges, said that he wanted to ‘pay deference to Dean Margaret Kiely.’ The reference to Dr. Kiely, who had performed as Queens College’s acting president and whom many residents of that borough had wished to see appointed to the permanent post of president, drew heavy applause. Dr. Kiely was in academic regalia seated among Queens faculty members facing the speakers’ stand.”
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