Friday, William C. (William Clyde)

William Clyde Friday was born in 1920 in Raphine, Va., and grew up in Dallas, Gaston County, N.C. He graduated from the Law School of the University of North Carolina in 1948, after which he served as assistant dean of students and was named assistant to University President Gordon Gray in 1951. Friday was appointed secretary of the University in 1955, named acting president of the Consolidated University of North Carolina (North Carolina State College (Raleigh), the University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill), and Woman's College (Greensboro)) in 1956, and became president later in the year. In 1971, the General Assembly restructured higher education in North Carolina, and the Consolidated University became the University of North Carolina System. On 1 July 1972, Friday became president of the new system. He served in that capacity for 30 years, during which time the University System grew to 16 campuses. Friday retired in 1986, after which he became president of the William R. Kenan Jr. Charitable Trust, guiding the philanthropy's support of educational endeavors. Although he retired from public service in 1999, Friday remains influential in many aspects of North Carolina life.

From the description of William C. Friday photographic collection, 1951-1980s. WorldCat record id: 43034511

William C. Friday served as president of the University of North Carolina System, 1957-1986. Following his resignation, Friday accepted a position as president of the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust, guiding the philanthropy's support of educational endeavors. In 1999, Friday retired from public service.

From the description of William C. Friday papers, 1942-1999 (bulk 1985-1999) [manuscript]. WorldCat record id: 50711561

William C. Friday served as president of the University of North Carolina System, 1956-1986. Friday served as chairman of numerous national panels including the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, the American Council on Education, President Johnson’s Task Force on Education, President Carter’s Task Force on Education, the American Council on Education and the Knight Foundation National Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics. Friday graduated from North Carolina State College in 1941 with a degree in textile engineering. At State College, he was sports editor of the student newspaper and president of the senior class. Friday served in the United States Naval Reserve during World War II and earned a law degree from the University of North Carolina Law School in 1948.

Friday began his career in college administration as the assistant to the Dean of Students at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. In 1956, Friday became president of the Consolidated University of North Carolina and subsequently the University of North Carolina System. Friday's presidency lasted thirty years, and he oversaw the expansion of the state university system from three campuses to sixteen. Friday served as chairman of numerous national panels including the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, the American Council on Education, President Johnson’s Task Force on Education, President Carter’s Task Force on Education, the American Council on Education and the Knight Foundation National Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics. Following his resignation from the University of North Carolina System in 1986, William C. Friday accepted a position as president of the William R. Kenan, Jr., Fund. After two years, Friday became executive director of the William R. Kenan, Jr., Charitable Trust, guiding the philanthropy's support of educational endeavors. In 1999, Friday retired from public service.

William Clyde Friday was born on 13 July 1920 to David Lathan and Mary Elizabeth Rowan Friday in Raphine, Virginia. He grew up in Dallas, North Carolina, in Gaston County. On 13 May 1942, Friday married Ida Howell. They had three daughters: Frances, Mary, and Betsy. Friday died in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, on 12 October 2012.

From the guide to the William C. Friday Papers, circa 1940 - 2012, (Special Collections Research Center)

William C. Friday was born on 13 July 1920 to David Lathan and Mary Elizabeth Rowan Friday in Raphine, Va. Friday grew up in Dallas, N.C., in Gaston County. He was graduated from North Carolina State College in 1941 and began his career in college administration as the assistant to the Dean of Students at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. On 13 May 1942, Friday married Ida Howell. They had three daughters: Frances, Mary, and Betsy. Friday served in the United States Naval Reserve during World War II and earned a law degree from the University of North Carolina Law School in 1948.

In 1956, Friday became president of the Consolidated University of North Carolina and subsequently the University of North Carolina System. Friday's presidency lasted thirty years, and he oversaw the expansion of the state university system from three campuses to sixteen. Following his resignation from the University of North Carolina System in 1986, William C. Friday accepted a position as president of the William R. Kenan, Jr., Fund. After two years, Friday became executive director of the William R. Kenan, Jr., Charitable Trust, guiding the philanthropy's support of educational endeavors. In 1999, Friday retired from public service.

From the guide to the William C. Friday Papers, 1942-1999 and undated (bulk 1985-1999), (Southern Historical Collection)

William Clyde Friday was born on 13 July 1920 in Raphine, Va., the son of David L. and Mary E. Rowan Friday. The family moved to North Carolina. and Friday grew up in Dallas, Gaston County. After attending Wake Forest College. he graduated from North Carolina State University with a B.S. degree in textile engineering in 1941.

Friday married Ida Howell on 13 May 1942 and served as a lieutenant in the United States Naval Reserve from 1942 until 1946. He received the LL.B. degree from the Law School of the University of North Carolina. He then served as assistant dean of students at the University of North Carolina and was named assistant to University President Gordon Gray in 1951. He was appointed secretary of the University in 1955, named acting president of the Consolidated University of North Carolina (North Carolina State College (Raleigh), the University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill), and Woman's College (Greensboro)) in 1956, and became president later in the year. In 1971, the General Assembly restructured higher education in North Carolina, and the Consolidated University became the University of North Carolina System. On 1 July 1972, Friday became president of the new system. He served in that capacity for 30 years, during which time the University System grew to 16 campuses.

Friday chaired the American Council on Education in 1964, the President's Task Force on Education in 1966-1967, the Association of American Universities in 1971, and the Center for Creative Leadership in 1981. He served on the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education, the Commission to Study the State University of New York, the Southern Regional Education Board, the Commission of White House Fellows (1965-1968), the National Committee for Bicentennial Era, the Commission of National Changes in Higher Education, the Governors Commission on Literacy (1987), the Regional Literacy Center Commission (1989-1990), the Southern Growth Policies Board, and the Knight Foundation National Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics (1989-1993). Friday received numerous honorary degrees from institutions of higher learning.

Following his retirement as UNC system president, Friday took a position as president of the William R. Kenan Jr. Charitable Trust, guiding the philanthropy's support of educational endeavors. He retired from public service in 1999. As of 2011, Friday remains influential in North Carolina and serves as host of a public television talk show, North Carolina People, which he began in 1971.

From the guide to the William C. Friday Photographic Collection, 1951-1980s, (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. North Carolina Collection Photographic Archives.)