C. G. O'Kelly Library

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General

Where can I find a history of Winston-Salem State University?

• The history of Winston-Salem State University can be found in The History of Winston-Salem State University, 1892-1995 [LD 6093. M87 1997] by E. Louise Murphy, revised and edited by Frances Ross Coble,
• Simona Atkins Allen, and Wilma Levister Lassiter. This book is located in the general stacks and reference desk in C.G. O'Kelly Library. Copies can also be purchased at the WSSU campus bookstore.

Who was the first president of Winston-Salem State University?

• The first president and founder of Winston-Salem State University was Simon Green Atkins. See The History of Winston-Salem State University, 1892-1995.

When was Winston-Salem State University founded?

• Winston-Salem State University was chartered as Slater Industrial Academy in 1892. See The History of Winston-Salem State University, 1892-1995.

Where can I find information on WSSU chancellors?

• Information on WSSU's chancellors and presidents can be found on the Archives website in the Chancellor's gallery. Information on former chancellors and presidents can also be found in The History Winston-Salem State University, 1892-1995.

What is the relevance of Columbian Heights to Winston-Salem State University?

• In 1891 the Inside Land and Improvement Company (based in Winston, North Carolina) invited Dr. Simon G. Atkins to view a plat of land, which he later deemed suitable for the establishment of a community promoting home ownership for African Americans. Shortly thereafter, Atkins and his family became the first settlers of this community, and in 1892 the community was named Columbian Heights in honor of the National Columbian Exposition, which celebrated the four hundred year anniversary of the founding of the United States of America. Because of its close proximity, the Columbian Heights community (currently a part of the WSSU physical plant) played an integral part in supporting the educational efforts of Slater Industrial Academy.

People and Places

Who is John Fox Slater?

• John Fox Slater (1815-1884) philanthropist and New England businessman started an endowed fund (the Slater fund) with over $1,000,000 to provide for the "uplifting of the newly emancipated population of the southern states, and their posterity, by conferring on them the benefits of Christian education." The fund benefited numerous predominantly African American industrial schools in the south. Winston-Salem State University was originally called Slater Industrial Academy at its founding in 1892.

What people have held the position of Mr. Ram?

• The following persons have held the title of Mr. Ram:

Abner Joyner, 1975-76 * Michael Caesar, 1976-77 * Kirby Hamilton, 1977-78
David Allen, 1978-79 * Curtis K. Hairston, 1979-80 * Robert Blount, 1980-81
Brian Womble, 1981-82 * Ricky Baskett, 1982-83 * Robert Wise, 1983-84
Gary Morris, 1984-85 * Roderick McIver, 1985-86 * Michael Dickerson, 1986-87
Carlton Carpenter, 1987-88 * Stephen Williams, 1988-89 * Barry Johnson, 1989-90
Joseph Garner, 1990-91 * DeWayne Brown, 1991-92 * Clyde Caudle, 1992-93
Weusi Baraka, 1993-94 * Cortez Simpson, 1994-95
Joseph Duncan, 1995-96 * Tareeq Rasheed, 1996-97 * Keaton Wells, 1997-98
Corey May, 1998-99 * Ahmad Johnson, 1999-00 * Alvin Downing, 2000-01
? , 2001-02 * ? 2002-03 * 2003-04 Alan Brown * William Dobbs 2004-05
Phil Javies, 2005-06

How many games did Coach Clarence "Bighouse" Gaines win?

• During his 47-year tenure at WSSU as coach, professor and athletic director Clarence "Bighouse" Gaines and his men's basketball team compiled a record of 828-447.

What students have held the title of Miss WSSU?

• The following persons have held the title of Miss WSSU:

Hazel Bingham, 1934-35 * Celestine Falkener, 1940-41 * Thellena Dalton, 1941-42
Rose Gordon, 1942-43 * Marian Friende, 1943-44 * M. Louise Smith, 1944-45
Hazel L. Davis, 1945-46 * Hattie Lee Williams, 1946-47 * Inez Dickerson, 1947-48
Andrades Cofield, 1948-49 * Ethel Ruth Hodges, 1950-51 * Roxie Bowman, 1952-53
Reba Thomas, 1953-54 * Vivian Crutchfield, 1954-55 * Barbara Spaulding Hayes, 1955-56
Miriam Edwards, 1956-57 * Nina Bolden, 1957-58 * Hattie Lowe, 1958-59
Annie Hicks, 1959-60 * Mary Wilkins, 1960-61 * Rosa Tribble Wilson, 1961-62
Gail Caesar, 1962-63 * Pauline Matthews, 1963-64 * Carolyn Archie, 1964-65
Sherlin Black, 1965-66 *Dorothy Davis, 1966-67 * Barbara Tuck, 1967-68
Beunice Bradley, 1968-69 * Annie Graves, 1969-70 * Brenda Pearsall, 1970-71
Daisy Bell, 1971-72 * Clennis Noble, 1972-73 * Gloria Horne, 1973-74
Saundra Melvin, 1974-75 * Candace Michaux, 1975-76 * Jasmin Fozard, 1976-77
Deborah Gibbs, 1977-78 * Pamela Blackstock, 1978-79 * Tonia Sowell, 1979-80
Lauretta Battle, 1980-81 * Zenobia Nelson, 1981-82 Debra Toone, 982-83
Paula Mickens, 1983-84 * Dana Caulder, 1984-85 * Rita Archer, 1985-86
Tanya Edwards, 1986-87 * Lisa Stewart, 1987-88 * Veronica Howard, 1988-89
Eugenia Williamson, 1989-90 * Carla Bridges, 1990-91 * Jamie Bridges, 1991-92
Sonya Clyburn, 1992-93 * Tywanki Quick, 1993-94 * Kimberly Alexander, 1994-95,
? 1995-96 * Joy Holmes, 1996-97 * Deneen Dixon, 1997-98, * Kimberly Brice, 1998-99Anjeleigh Robinson, 1999-00 * Kendra Lipscomb, 2000-01 * Candace Jeffries, 2001-02Rolanda Patrick, 2002-03 * Mingon Turner, 2003-04 * Kelechi Anyanwu 2004-05 * Tiffany Richmond, 2005-2006

Who has held the title of Miss Alumni through the years?

• The following persons have held the title of Miss Alumni over the years:

Jennie Green Fletcher, 1945* Iola Davis Dobson, 1946 * Clarice Scales Parrish, 1947
Piccola L. Morrow, 1948 * Marie Strange, 1949 * Wilveria Delaine Penn, 1950
Hattie Scales Brown, 1951* Geraldine Scales Smith, 1952 * E. Maxine White Law, 1953
E. Louisa Lyerly Foy, 1954 * Etta Timlic Hill, 1955 * Douschka Osborne Penn, 1956
Hattie Daniels Chaplin, 1957 * Elinor Atkins Smith, 1958 * Beatrice Watts, 1959
Barbara Caudle Ellis, 1960 * Carnella Murphy Andrews, 1961 * Catherine O'Neill Litaker, 1962
Mary Steele Woods, 1963 * Bessie Kimbrough Hollister, 1964 * Dorothy H. Worthy, 1965
Rose Marie Matthews, 1966 * Vivian Crutchfield Giles, 1967 * Mary Miles Love, 1968
Wilma Howard, 1969 * Doris Jackson, 1970 * Louise Smith, 1971 * Wilhelmina Long, 1972 Maxine Payne Charles, 1973 * Verndene Pettiford, 1974 * Josephine D. Langston, 1975
Margaret Edmonds, 1976 * Carleina H. Harris, 1977 * Nora H. Scales, 1978
Lucille Daniels, 1979 * Erline Stroud Dennis, 1980 * Sandra J. Deberry, 1981
Eleanor Bryant, 1982 * Any A. Jones, 1983 * Lerla G. Joseph, 1984
Hattie Black, 1985 * Myrtle Sturdivant Black, 1986 * Mildred Roseboro Griffin, 1987
Mary Reese Buford, 1988 * Beulah Long Bunch, 1989 * Mozella Williams, 1990
Vera Ford, 1991 * Alice Dalton McNeil, 1992 * Rebecca Nesmith English, 1993
Carrie Flowers Smith, 1994 * Annie Hicks Hager, 1995 * Carolyn G. Jones, 1996
Vildred L. Fitzgerald, 1997 * Cynthia Turner, 1998 * Mose' Belton Perry, 1999
Doris W. Heath, 2000 * Beverly Funches Williams, 2001 * Beverly Barnes Evans, 2002
Geraldine Jedd Morrison, 2003 * Tonya Talley-Smith, 2004 * Barbara Carter-Smith, 2005

Can you give me information on the history of campus buildings?

• Information on campus buildings can be found in The History of Winston-Salem State University: 1892-1995 and on the architectural history page of the University Archives website

Who are some famous alumni?

• Some well-known alumni are:

*Louis Farrakhan (Louis Eugene Walcott), Nation of Islam leader and founder of Million Man March.
*Steven A. Smith, NBA sports commentator, journalist and television host.
*Earl "the Pearl" Monroe, National Basketball Association player for Baltimore Bullets and New York Knicks.
*Selma Burke, artist, best known for image of Franklin D. Roosevelt that appears on dime.
*Elias Gilbert, All-American track and field hurdler and former world record holder.
*Jim Garner, Mayor of Hempstead, New York and former president of U.S. Conference of Mayors.
*Lorraine Hairston Morton, Mayor of Evanston, IL.
*Joseph D. Johnson, listed as one of top African American attorneys in the U.S. by Black Enterprise magazine.
*Donald Bradley, president of Newark, N.J. City Council (1993- ).
*Larry Womble, representative in North Carolina State Legislature.
*Theodore Blunt, City Council President in Wilmington, Delaware.
*Walter Marshall, Forsyth County (Winston-Salem, NC) County Commissioner.
*Earline Parmon, representative in North Carolina State Legislature.
*Beaufort Bailey, Forsyth County (Winston-Salem) County Commissioner.
*Yancey Thigpen, former All-Pro National Football League receiver for Pittsburgh Steelers and Tennessee Titans.
*Oronde Gadsden, former All-CIAA and National Football League player for the Miami Dolphins.
*Richard Huntley, former All-CIAA, and player for the National Football League's Atlanta Falcons, Pittsburgh Steelers, Carolina Panthers and Detroit Lions.
*Donald Evans, former player for the National Football League's Los Angeles Rams, Philadelphia Eagles and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
*Thomas Beard, opera singer has performed with the Washington Opera Company and the Municipal Opera Company of Baltimore.
*Maria Howell, actress and singer, has had stage and film parts in Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, Linda, Scattered Dreams and Tambourines to Glory.
*Ernest E. Newton II, Deputy President Pro Tempore of the Connecticut Senate and Chairman of Public Safety.
*Cleo Hill, First person from CIAA to be drafted in the first round of the National Basketball Association; selected by the St. Louis Hawks in 1961.

How many people graduated from WSSU in the early years?

• Early graduates 1896-1914

FORMER GRAMMAR SCHOOL DEPARTMENT

Class of 1896

Class of 1897

Class of 1898

Class of 1899

NORMAL SCHOOL DEPARTMENT

Class of 1900

Class of 1901

Class of 1903

Class of 1904

Class of 1905

Class of 1906

Class of 1907

Class of 1908

Class of 1910

Class of 1911

Class of 1912

Class of 1913

Class of 1914

ACADEMIC POST GRADUATE DEPARTMENT

Class of 1900

Class of 1901

Class of 1902

Class of 1903

Class of 1904

Class of 1910

Class of 1911

The WSSU Legacy

Can you help me find information on the school's Alma Mater?

• Historical Notes on WSSU Alma Mater

Mary Fries Blair, wife of longtime board of trustee member and college supporter William A. Blair, and Robert C. Bolling, a WSSU music faculty member, composed the words and music for Winston-Salem State University's first Alma Mater. The first documented use of the Blair/Bolling Alma Mater in an official capacity occurred at the Winston-Salem Teachers College Commencement on May 31, 1929. The commencement program bulletin refers to the Alma Mater as a "Poem by Mary Fries Blair." This particular version of the Alma Mater was used from 1929 to 1931.

The lyrics for the Alma Mater, as printed in the May 31, 1929 Commencement program reads:

Laid upon a firm foundation-
Purpose strong and pure,
Thus our noble Alma Mater
Ever shall endure.

Built by generous gifts of friendship,
Scattered far and wide,
With such walls our Alma Mater
Surely must abide.

Crowned at last by recognition
From the state she loves,
To her trust our Alma Mater
Ever loyal proves.

Marching Chorus

Forward, forward, then with one accord,
Joyful, joyful, be our every word,
Onward, upward, ever be the cry-
Faithful to our Alma Mater
We shall live and die.

From 1932 to 1940 the Alma Mater was not used as an official component of the college's commencement exercises.

In 1938 Noah F. Ryder, a music department faculty member, wrote the lyrics and composed the choral music arrangement for a new Alma Mater. His version was copyrighted in 1940 and used at the May 27, 1941 Commencement as recessional music. Since a band arrangement for Ryder's Alma Mater was not composed until the early 1970s by former music department chairman Fred Tanner, in all likelihood Ryder probably played the piano accompaniment as the faculty exited the auditorium.

Noah Ryder's 1938 version of the Alma Mater reads:

As we go forth from old T.C.,
A song of love we sing to thee,
And praises to the memory
Of days at Teachers College.

Thy sons and daughters bring thee fame
Through knowledge which we here have gained;
Exultingly we raise thy name,
O, Winston-Salem Teachers College.

As we go forth from old T.C.
Good leaders we will always be,
And stand for Christianity
As you have taught us, Teachers College.

In all we do we shall proclaim
To all the world thy teaching fame,
As we go forth we praise thy name
O, Winston-Salem Teachers College.

In 1963 the North Carolina General Assembly approved the changing of the college's name from Winston-Salem Teachers College to Winston-Salem State College. "Some members of the Alumni Association expressed opposition to the change; however, because of the desire for a broader curriculum, the Trustee Board forged ahead with the request."

To reflect the college's new curricular and organizational changes the Ryder Alma Mater read as:

As we go forth from old S.C.,
A song of love we sing to you,
And praises to the memory,
Of days at State College.

Thy sons and daughters bring thee fame
Through knowledge which we here have gained,
Exultingly we raise thy name,
O, Winston-Salem State College.

As we go forth from Old S.C.,
Good leaders we will always be
And stand for Christianity
As you have taught us State College.

In all we do we shall proclaim
To all the world thy teaching fame,
As we go forth we praise thy name
O, Winston-Salem State College.

The use of the Alma Mater as a routine and integral component of the Commencement exercises did not occur until 1978. From 1963 to 1970 the Alma Mater is rarely if ever used at Commencement exercises. From 1972 to 1977 the Alma Mater is not documented as being used during Commencement exercises.

In 1969 Winston-Salem State College experienced further expansion of its curriculum and the State legislature approved a statute changing the college's status to university, and its subsequent name change to Winston-Salem State University.

In 1971 the North Carolina General Assembly reorganized the state higher education system and Winston-Salem State University became a constituent member of the University of North Carolina Higher Education System.

The University's Alma Mater as printed in the 1978 Commencement program reads as:

As we go forth from Old State U,
A song of praise we sing to you,
In praises to the memory
Of days at State University.

Thy sons and daughters bring thee fame
Through knowledge which we here have gained
Exultingly we raise thy name,
O Winston-Salem State University.

As we go forth from old State U.
Good leaders we will always be.
And stand for Christianity,
As you've taught us, State University.

In all we do we shall proclaim
To all the world thy teaching fame,
As we go forth we praise thy name,
O Winston-Salem State University.

Since the 1940s the United States judicial system has been confronted with the legalities surrounding the division of church and state. These very same issues confronted Winston-Salem State University in the early 1980s. During the 1981-1982 academic year the Alma Mater came under dispute after Howard Pannel, a Jewish faculty member in the Department of Social Sciences questioned the use of the word "Christianity" in the school's Alma Mater.

Although the changing of the phrase "stand for Christianity" to "stand for humanity" caused considerable outrage among WSSU alumni and officers in the national alumni association, official university board of trustee minutes from the time period in question do not mention the issue, or suggest that changes to the Alma Mater were voted on by any sanctioned university entity.

In an April 6, 1982 letter to officers of the WSSU National Alumni Association, past national alumni association president James Jarrell expressed his consternation by commenting:

"After the 1962 and 1963 Supreme Court decisions declaring prayer recitations in public schools to be unconstitutional as well as school Bible readings in a religious context, the essence of my argument is the change in our Alma Mater:

And stand for Christianity

To all the world our teaching fame
To all the world our enduring fame.

I approve the changes as far as the name change of the institution; however, I am against changing words which are a part of the history and the mission of the institution."

Clarence "Jeep" Jones, another alumnus and past National Alumni Association president, weighed in on the conflict in the winter 1983 issue of the alumni magazine (The Battering Ram) commented:

"It really bothers me when I think about singing the Alma Mater, particularly when I get to the part where we are no longer supposed to say' ...and stand for Christianity.' The words have been changed to' ...and stand for all humanity' - except where I'm concerned. I still sing the original version."

There have been several lyric changes in the written Alma Mater over the years. For instance in 1978, the words that formerly read "And praises to the memory" became "In praises to the memory." The Alma Mater in the 1980 commencement program reads:

"As we go forth from old state U.
A song of praise we sing to you,
In praises to the memory
Of days at State University."

In all we do we shall proclaim
To all the world thy teaching fame,
As we go forth we praise thy name,
O Winston-Salem State University."

Conversely the 1981 Founders Day Convocation program includes the words:

"As we go forth from Old S.U.
A song of love we sing to you
And praises to the memory
Of days at State University."

In all we do we shall proclaim
To all the world thy enduring fame;
As we go forth we praise thy name,
Oh, Winston-Salem State University."

Conversely the 1988 Commencement program include the words:

"As we go forth from old State U.
A song of praise we sing to you,
In praises to the memory
Of days at State University."

In all we do we shall proclaim
To all the world thy teaching fame,
As we go forth we praise thy name,
O Winston-Salem State University."

The 1992 Honors Convocation program uses the words:

"In all we do we shall proclaim
To all the world thy enduring fame.
As we go forth we praise thy name,
O Winston-Salem State University."

The 2004 Commencement program uses the words:

"As we go forth from old State U.,
A song of praise we sing to you,
And praises to the memory
Of days at State University."

In all we do we shall proclaim
To all the world thy teaching fame,
As we go forth we praise thy name,
Oh, Winston-Salem State University."

Winston-Salem State University Archives

Where is Archives located?

• Archives are located on the first floor (east side) of C.G. O'Kelly Library in room 164.

Can I check out materials from the archives?

• No, materials in the University Archives are one of a kind and do not circulate. Researchers can use the archives primary source materials after presenting a picture I.D. and filling out a user registration.

I need a picture; can Archives make a copy of a photograph for me?

• Currently we do not have the staffing or facilities to make photographic reproductions. Please contact the Archives staff for more information.

How do I contact the Archives or find other basic information about the Archives.

• For general information and basic contact information go to the Archives homepage.