Progression of Blacks at ECU
This article describes black alumni and faculty at ECU. This and other articles may be found in the University Archives.
Citation for this article is: Dillahunt, Reggie. "Progression of Blacks at ECU," Expressions, Spring 1990, No. 1.
Though racism still exists, Blacks have come a long way at ECU
Even though racism still exists, blacks at ECU have greatly progressed since the early 60's when black students could only enroll during summer sessions, and black teachers could only take classes for re-certification. Due to the efforts of then Greenville councilman Dr. Andrew Best, Laura Marie Leary in 1963 became the first black student enrolled during a regular academic year.After completing the requirements for a bachelor's degree in business administration in 1966, she became the first black ECC (ECU) graduate.
Like Dr. Best, Ledonia S. Wright, a former associate professor in the Department of Community Health and advisor to the Society of United Liberal Students (SOULS), tried to make a difference for blacks at ECU. Wright, a magna cum laude graduate of Shaw University in Raleigh attended Yale University, taught at Harvard University, and served as a counselor and advisor for the minority groups at ECU.Although she died in 1976, her efforts did not go unnoticed.In 1979, the former "Y" Hut on campus was renamed the Ledonia S. Wright Afro-American Cultural Center, and a scholarship was named in her honor.
As part of the recognition of the progression of other blacks at ECU, the following achievements are proudly noted:
Academics
1967 -- Bennie Teel , who earned a bachelor's degree in English and French, was the first black selected to Who's Who at ECC (ECU). He was also the managing editor of The East Carolinian. Lillian T. Jones and Nellie Ross also graduated in the class of 1967. 1981 -- Natalear Collins and Brenda Klutz became the first black graduates of the ECU School of Medicine.
1988 -- Derrick Hyman became the first black student at ECU to receive the University Scholars Award. He had a 4.0 GPA as a freshman and currently [1990] has a 3.8 GPA.
1989 -- Chandra Floyd, who had a 3.9 GPA as a senior, received a University Award. The award is based on superior academic achievement, service, and leadership. A $500 alumni scholarship was named in her honor.
1990 -- R.L. Beeman, an ex-marine turned football player, recevied an award from Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. for having a 4.0 GPA as a senior.
Leadership/Honors
1967 -- Dennis Chestnut was selected the Student Government Association Judiciary Board. Now, Dr. Dennis Chestnut serves as an Associate Professor in the psychology department at ECU.
1973 -- Kenneth Hammond was selected to Who's Who at ECU and also served as the senior class president. He currently serves as Associate Director of University Unions in Mendenhall.
1974 -- Jacqueline Hawkins was selected to Who's Who at ECU. She currently is the Coordinator of Health Career Services at ECU for the Center of Student Opportunities.
1976 -- After the elimination of the Miss Black ECU contest, Jeri Barnes represented SOULS and was selected as the first black Homecoming Queen at ECU. Other black Homecoming Queens include Tonja Howell (1986) and Kimberly Hines (1987), who both represented the ECU Gospel Choir, and Sonja Love (1988), an honors student who represented Tyler Hall.
1988 -- Dr. Valeria O. Lovelace, a 1973 ECU graduate and Who's Who recipient, received the ECU Alumni Award. She is the Director of Research for PBS' Sesame Street . She also played a major roled in the establishment of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.
1988 -- Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. had the highest GPA of any sorority on campus.Members included La-Shawn Bowden, Chandra Caple, Tammie Daugherty, Rhonda Davis, Lori Flowers, Constance Foster, Jennifer Gray, Karen Hunt, Tammy Jones, Kitty Lewis, Johnnie Mac Livingston, Catherine Mickens, Lynnette Oliver, Tonya Reed, Brenda Revelle, Felecia Robinson, Earlene Shepard, Stephanie Taylor, Cynthia Tucker, Beatrice Vines, Veronica Williams, Crystal Wright, and Ella Harris, graduate advisor.
1988 -- Dr. Larry T. Smith, a graduate of Bowling Green University in Ohio, became the first black Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Life and Director of Minority Affairs at ECU.
1989 -- Talmage Fauntleroy, a 1975 graduate of ECU School of Music, returned as a part of ECU's Minority Presence Initiative and presented a workshop in music, theatre, and Italian Culture. Fauntleroy, a resident of Florence, Italy, is the artistic director of Studio Lirico and director of Opera Studies at the Conservatory "Pietro Mascagni" in Livorno. Fauntleroy can be an inspiration for other blacks interested in opera, such as Charles Maxwell. Maxwell, a triple music major, was one of three singers from the U.S. chosen to participate in an opera company in Italy.
Athletics1966 -- Paul D. Scott was the first black student to receive a football scholarship at ECC (ECU). Vincent Colbert and Marvin Simpson joined the basketball team that same year. 1988 -- Lee McNeil was selected to be on the Olympic 4 x 100 relay team in Seoul, Korea. He was on the gold-winning team in the U.S. 4 x 100 team in the Pan American Games.
1989 -- Former ECU football player Terry Long donated a $20,000 football scholarship to ECU. Long is the first ECU football player to establish such a scholarship. He currently plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
