Alumni

Winston-Salem State University has announced the appointment of two new members to its Board of Trustees, along with the reappointment of two current members.

Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) has announced the appointment of Dr. Stevie L. Lawrence II as its next provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, effective July 1, 2025.

“On behalf of the entire university family, I am pleased to extend sincerest congratulations to the spring class of 2025,” said WSSU Chancellor Bonita J. Brown, who presided over her first spring commencement since leading the university.

WSSU has reached a major milestone in sending an unprecedented number of students to graduate school to pursue advanced degrees in mathematics and statistical sciences. For the first time in university history, a cohort of 11 WSSU students have committed to pursuing advanced degrees in mathematics.

Winston-Salem State University has been named the only university in North Carolina – public or private – to earn the distinguished designation of Opportunity College by the Carnegie Classifications of Higher Education and the American Council on Education (ACE).

Winston-Salem State University celebrates the success of two School of Health Sciences alumni, Lt. Darius McLean and Lt. Ivanna Plymouth, who were recently commissioned as officers in the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps.

Winston-Salem State University nursing alumnus Dr. Clifton Kenon Jr. is no stranger to being a trailblazer. At age 33, he won the highest honor given to a nurse from the American Academy of Nursing. Now, at age 37, he is making history again by becoming the first male and first millennial to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from AWHONN.

Winston-Salem State University celebrated its fall graduates during commencement Friday, Dec. 13. More than 500 students became alumni, ready to depart to serve, during the historic ceremony that was presided by the university’s first female chief administrator, Chancellor Bonita Brown.

Winston-Salem State University is committed to preparing students to excel and lead, to act compassionately and to rise above challenges with the strength and spirit of a true Ram. On Dec. 13, WSSU celebrated its Fall 2024 graduating class as they departed to serve to make an impact on the global society. Here is a glimpse of where a few students are headed:

The Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) Foundation is pleased to announce the acquisition of 42 acres of property, marking a significant step in advancing the university’s commitment to fostering student success and enabling future growth. The property, purchased for $7.5 million, is located at 2900 Reynolds Park Road, Winston-Salem. 

As I reflect on my first months as Chancellor of Winston-Salem State University, I am inspired by the incredible accomplishments of our students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Homecoming was a highlight of my time here. It was incredible to watch generations of the Ramily come together to celebrate all that is wonderful about WSSU.

Winston-Salem State University’s new advancement leadership team is poised to enhance alumni and community engagement, as well as philanthropic contributions. Kevan Turman is the new vice chancellor for University Advancement; and John D. Kirby Jr. is assistant vice chancellor.

This year’s homecoming was not only marked by excitement, merriment, pomp and circumstance, but it was also a testament to the generosity of alumni. One of the highlights of homecoming weekend was the announcement of this year’s alumni giving, which was a total of $287,963.97.

Chancellor Bonita Brown and Winston-Salem State University invite you to WSSU's Forever Red Homecoming 2024. This is the moment to celebrate our pride, traditions and everything that makes being a Ram special. While we want you to enjoy the festivities, it’s important to stay aware and safe. WSSU Police and Public Safety, along with local law enforcement, fire departments and EMS, are working to make this homecoming the safest yet

Winston-Salem State University is excited to announce The Ramily Road Tour, coming soon to a city near you. WSSU is hitting the road, offering high school students, parents, families and community leaders an opportunity to learn what makes WSSU’s Ramily (Ram family) so special.

The Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society and the S.G. Atkins Honor Society will host induction ceremonies for each group from noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 29, at Dillard Auditorium in the Anderson Center. This will be the first induction ceremony for Phi Kappa Phi. WSSU's chapter was installed in January.

Winston-Salem State University earned impressive rankings in the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges 2025. WSSU was recognized among top public colleges and universities, best HBCUs, social mobility and the nursing program. The most significant achievement is WSSU’s surge ahead by 40 spots in the national universities ranking.

This is a special year for Dr. Fran Bates Oates, who has 50 reasons to celebrate. This year marks her 50th anniversary as an educator and is also her 50th class reunion at Winston-Salem State University as a member of the Class of 1974.

Winston-Salem State University alumnus Jeremiah Erby learned an important concept from his experience with the University of Chicago that inspired him to give back to his alma mater.

Winston-Salem State University’s Office of Integrated Marketing Communications has won two Telly Awards for a recruitment video in the record-breaking 45th Annual Telly Awards.

Bonita J. Brown has been named the 14th Chancellor of Winston-Salem State University. She was elected by the University of North Carolina Board of Governors, following her nomination by University of North Carolina System President Peter Hans. Brown will assume her role on July 1, 2024.

This class was unique as it was the class that felt the disruptions of the global pandemic as students transitioned from high school graduates to college freshmen. Their high school graduations were mostly likely in person and college orientations were shackled by social distancing.

The Class of Spring 2024 celebrated commencement on Friday, May 10. Witnessing the excitement and sense of accomplishment radiating from our graduates was truly inspiring. We invite you to read these profiles and to browse through our Spring 2024 Commencement photo album.

Several students from Winston-Salem State University’s Sport Management program walked across the stage at commencement on May 10, 2024. Here are some success stories of these impressive scholars. 

Winston-Salem State University offers an excellent Sport Management program that prepares our students for dynamic careers in the sports industry. WSSU is the first and only HBCU to receive accreditation from the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA).

A Winston-Salem State University alumnus is giving back to his college and helping his high school in the process. Dr. Clayton Scott of Statesville, a 1976 graduate of WSSU, has established a scholarship to help students from Statesville High School to further their education at his alma mater.

Not only did the WSSU Rams men’s basketball team win 64-47 over the Virginia Union Panthers in a game simulcast on three major networks – TNT, ESPN2 and NBA TV – but the once-in-a-lifetime experience spilled off the courts as well.

As we honor Black History Month, we commemorate Winston-Salem State University’s long and distinguished list of firsts and its contributions to the transformative milestones of the collective African American journey.

As we honor Black History Month, we commemorate Winston-Salem State University’s long and distinguished list of firsts and its contributions to the transformative milestones of the collective African American journey.

Winston-Salem State University’s Department of Physical Therapy is looking for participants for a study titled: “Evaluation of segmental lumbar spinal motion and physiological responses following common spinal mobilization techniques.”

Oscar Ball III, Winston-Salem State University Class of 2009, is the creator of the 4th Quarter Scholarship Fundraiser. The event is a basketball game between current WSSU students and alumni and is held on the Sunday after each homecoming at the C.E. Gaines Center.

WSSU’s Forever Red Homecoming is the time to celebrate Winston-Salem State University’s spirit and respect some of our most beloved traditions. By celebrating all the wonderful things about being a Ram, it is advised to be cautious while enjoying the festivities of WSSU Homecoming.

What will be your motivation for participating in Winston-Salem State University’s annual Day of Giving on Sept. 28, Founder’s Day, as the institution celebrates its 131st birthday.

The couple, Prince David and Nancy Patterson Jernigan, both members of the WSSU Class of ’73, served and retired from extensive careers in public education; have raised tens of thousands of dollars for their alma mater over a span of 40 years; and most recently, established the Prince David and Nancy Patterson Jernigan Endowed Scholarship Fund.

Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) will celebrate the accomplishments of the Class of 2023 at a Commencement Ceremony at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial (LJVM) Coliseum on Friday, May 12.

Another Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) Commencement is upon us, as graduates depart to serve. Here's a glimpse of where a few students from the Class of Spring 2023 are headed. 

Another Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) Commencement is upon us, as graduates depart to serve. Here's a glimpse of where a few students from the Class of Spring 2023 are headed. 

Winston-Salem State University ranks high on a diverse group of national lists, especially in the areas of value, affordability, and student success.

Here is a list of some of WSSU’s notable rankings for 2022-2023.

Winston-Salem State University alum actor Chris Greene portrays an assistant chaplain in the Netflix hit true crime drama “DAHMER – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story.” In the limited series, viewers are walked through the upbringing of one of the most notorious serial killers in history, the warnings neighbors made concerning his behavior, how he lured his victims, his capture, and ultimately, his trial.

Here’s what you need to know.

Inspiration and encouragement often come from the unlikeliest of places. Take the case of Sharandica Midcalf. She had chance meeting with entertainer Nick Cannon three years ago. His words of encouragement that day emboldened Midcalf to attack her dream of going to Winston-Salem State University.

Awardees are recognized during the annual MLK celebration event that is co-sponsored by WSSU and Wake Forest University. The awards are presented to a professor or administrator and a student from each institution who exemplify Dr. King’s spirit of justice and equality for the betterment of the community as well as the institutions.

Rod Isom has been elevated to chief audit risk and compliance officer at Winston-Salem State University, effective immediately.

Haley Gingles has been appointed chief marketing officer (CMO) at Winston-Salem State University.

Thesha Woodley has been appointed director of alumni engagement for Winston-Salem State University, where she will lead the creation of programs and services to effectively manage and sustain relationships with the over 30,000 alumni.

Winston-Salem State University has partnered with Barnes & Noble College to implement BNC First Day® Complete, a course material delivery model that will drive student success by ensuring all students are prepared to begin learning on the first day of class.

First Day® Complete, an innovative course material delivery model, addresses equitable access, convenience, and affordability across all courses at an institution by bundling the cost of course materials into tuition and ensuring students have all their materials for the semester available on or before the first day of class. WSSU will cover all associated expenses so that no additional costs will be passed on to students.

Back in the fall of 2019, LaMonica Sloan Wilhelmi and senior staff members at Winston-Salem State University were brainstorming, searching for ideas to help provide more career development options for students.

The innovative ideas from that session laid the groundwork for what turned into a $1.2 million Job Corps Scholars Program on the WSSU campus that will provide intensive two-year career preparation for 40 community members a year.

It is no secret that underserved segments of the population … minorities and the disabled … face serious barriers when it comes to health care in this country.

A team of Winston-Salem State University faculty members – Dr. Tammara Thomas, Dr. Keisha Rogers, and Dr. Felicia Simpson – recently concluded research that showed those barriers were even more pervasive during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sometimes to move forward, you need to look back, or at least that’s according to the old adage.

It certainly rings true for Laura Garner, aquatics director at Winston-Salem State University.

Taylor Adams is a big fan of Coming To America, the 1988 comedy blockbuster starring Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall.

The Winston-Salem State University senior may be an even bigger fan of Coming 2 America after getting to interview the stars of the recently released sequel.

WSSU alum Tristen Johnson'16 becomes first lieutenant in the newly minted United States Space Force. 

The S.G. Atkins Community Development Corporation has been awarded a grant by the Small Business Administration to establish the 6th Women’s Business Center in North Carolina and the second at a North Carolina historically black university.

WSSU-Novant Health Physical Therapy Neurologic Clinical Residency Program receives full accreditation from the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education. WSSU is the first HBCU in the nation to offer a fully accredited PT residency program.  

Marquia James became a part of history when she added her makeup artistry to Vice President Kamala Harris’ Vogue cover look last month. Read more as James gives an inside look at her evolution as a makeup artist, her memories of WSSU and what’s in store for 2021.  

Former teacher, mentor, school administrator, school board member and Winston-Salem State University alumnus Victor “Vic” Johnson Jr.’61 dies of COVID-19 at age 85.

Mona Zahir, WSSU’s 2016-17 student body president, was recently awarded the U.S. Department of State Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship.

As the first year of this new decade comes to an end, here’s a look back at some of the year’s most memorable WSSU news stories.

WSSU receives $30 million gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott.   

WSSU welcomed over 60 new Heritage Society members during a virtual induction ceremony on Dec. 3.