Saint Augustine’s University Will Host Birthday Celebration Honoring Dr. Prezell Robinson

Raleigh, NC – Saint Augustine’s University will celebrate the 99th birthday of President Emeritus Dr. Prezell Robinson on August 23rd on the main campus. The event will feature the University Choral Singers, cheerleaders and marching band. Other performers will include Miss North Carolina Alexandra Badgett and recording artist Emanuel Casablanca.  Noted guests and speakers will be Athletic Director and World Record Holding Track Coach George Williams, Governor Roy Cooper’s Office, The York Companies and other community and university leaders. Guests will enjoy local food truck vendors including El Taco Feliz, Kabob Grill, All American Food Truck, Adobo Joe Food Truck, Sweet Treats of North Carolina and Savvy Q. Guests are asked to make a $50 donation to support the University for the celebration.

Dr. Prezell Russell Robinson is president emeritus of Saint Augustine’s University where he also served as Charles A. Mott Endowed Distinguished Professor of the Social Sciences. But Robinson’s influence extends far beyond the Raleigh campus where he spent 28 years as the top administrator. He also has made an international imprint during his career. Robinson served as a U.S. Alternate Representative to the United Nations for two terms. He was first appointed by President Bush in 1992 and was appointed again by President Clinton in 1996. He also was selected by the Department of State to visit and lecture in six African countries in 1971 and was appointed by President Carter to serve on the U.S.-Liberian Commission in 1980.

Born in Batesburg, SC, Robinson graduated from Voorhees School and Junior College in Denmark, SC, before earning a bachelor’s degree in economics and social science from Saint Augustine’s. He earned master’s and doctoral degrees in rural education and rural sociology-economics from Cornell University. He was a dean and sociology professor at Saint Augustine’s between 1956 and 1964, was appointed executive dean and professor in 1964 and was named acting president in June 1966. He became president and a professor of sociology eight months later.

Robinson has earned recognition throughout his career, both as a faculty member and an administrator. He was voted one of three outstanding teachers at Saint Augustine’s in 1961-62, was awarded a U.S. Fulbright Fellowship to India in 1965 and selected one of 20 college presidents in the “100 Most Effective Presidents of America” in 1986. Robinson has received 11 honorary degrees.

Robinson has a long history of involvement in the Raleigh community. He is active in the Episcopal Church, at the parish, diocesan and national levels. In addition, Robinson is vice chairman of the North Carolina State Board of Education and has served on numerous academic and community organizations. They include: the executive committee of the International Association of University Presidents; the board of directors of The Episcopal Church Foundation; the Association of Southern Colleges and Universities, of which he was president in 1974-75; the executive committee of the United Negro College Fund, of which he was president and a member from 1978 to 1981; the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education, of which he was president from 1982 to 1985; the Association of Episcopal Colleges, of which he was president from 1989 to 1994; the board of directors of The Episcopal Church Pension Fund, on which he has served since 1985; and the board of trustees of Peace College in Raleigh and of Voorhees College.

RSVP to Candice Murray at cmurray@st-aug.edu

About Saint Augustine’s University

Founded in 1867 by the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina, the mission of Saint Augustine’s University is to sustain a leaning community in which students can prepare academically, socially and spiritually for leadership in a complex, diverse and rapidly changing world. For more information, visit https://www.st-aug.edu/