Elder, Alfonso, 1898-1974

Dean of the College of Arts and Science, head of the Graduate Department of Education, and second president (1948-1963) of North Carolina Central University.

From the description of Alfonso Elder scrapbook, 1948-1965. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 70969988

In 1948, Alfonso Elder became the second president of the North Carolina College for Negroes (renamed the North Carolina College at Durham in 1947 and North Carolina Central University in 1969). He served in that position until his retirement in 1963.

From the description of Alfonso Elder papers, 1927-1993 (bulk 1948-1963). WorldCat record id: 780448528

Alfonso Elder was born on 26 February 1898 in Sandersville, Ga. He was the son of Thomas Jefferson Elder and Lillian Elder. Elder completed elementary and high school at the Thomas Jefferson Elder School in Sandersville, Ga., and received his A.B. degree from Atlanta University in 1921. He later received both a Masters of Arts and Masters of Education from Columbia University and completed post-graduate work at Chicago University and the University of Cambridge.

Elder joined the faculty of the North Carolina College for Negroes in Durham, N.C., in 1924 as professor of education and dean of the college. In 1931, he married Louise Holmes of Atlanta, Ga., the daughter of Thomas Willis Holmes. The couple did not have children. In 1943, Elder left the college to become director of the School of Education at Atlanta University.

In the fall of 1947, Elder returned to North Carolina College for Negroes, and when the school's first president, James E. Shepard, died in November 1947, Elder succeeded him. During Elder's 15-year tenure as president, the college expanded, added programs, and integrated. Elder retired in September 1963.

Elder was a member of the Durham Community Redevelopment Commission and the Durham Human Relations Committee, a member of the Board of Directors of Durham's Mutual Savings and Loan Association, a trustee of the Board of Lincoln Hospital, a member of the Durham Community Benevolent Commission, and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He was also an active congregant at the Saint Titus Episcopal Church in Durham.

Elder died on 7 August 1974 in Lincoln Hospital in Durham.

• 26 February 1898: Alfonso Toby Elder was born in Sandersville, Ga., to Thomas Jefferson Elder and Lillian Elder.
• 1900 - 1917 : Elder completed his elementary and secondary education at the Thomas Jefferson Elder School.
• 1920: Elder became a charter member of the Eta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., in Atlanta, Ga.
• 1921: Elder graduated magna cum laude from Atlanta University in Atlanta, Ga., with an A.B. degree.
• 1924: Elder received his M.A. degree from Columbia University. He joined the faculty of the North Carolina College for Negroes as professor of education and dean of the college.
• 1928: Elder studied at the University of Cambridge in England.
• 1931: Elder married Louise Holmes of Atlanta, Ga.
• 1938: Studying under a General Education Board Fellowship, Elder earned his doctorate in education from Columbia University.
• 1943: Elder left North Carolina College for Negroes to serve as the director of the School of Education at Atlanta University in Atlanta, Ga.
• 1947: Elder returned to North Carolina College for Negroes to serve as head of the Graduate Department of Education.
• 20 January 1948: Elder was named president of North Carolina College at Durham.
• 31 August 1963: Elder retired and was named President Emeritus.
• 1974: Elder died in Lincoln Hospital in Durham, N.C.

From the guide to the Alfonso Elder Papers, 1927-1993, (bulk 1948-1963), (North Carolina Central University. James E. Shepard Memorial Library.)