Became the first African American to be admitted as a graduate student in physical education at the College of William & Mary in 1951 and later became the first African-American alumnus of William & Mary in 1956. In 1982, a constituent group within the College of William & Mary Alumni Association formed the Hulon Willis Alumni Association in his honor. Hulon Willis was also renowned in the martial arts and is credited with founding karate in the southern tri-city of Virginia in the early 1960's. A highly regarded and respected instructor, administrator and prominent tournament official, he is considered a pioneer in the history of Virginia karate. He instructed karata at Virginia State University where he served for almost thirty-five years as an Assistant Professor of Health, Physical Education, athletic coach (wrestling and football) and Director of Campus Police and Security. He developed and instructed the Defensive Tactics and Weaponless Control Program for the Virginia State Police and Virginia Criminal Justice Services and taught the program to law enforcement instructors around the country.

Amaza Lee Meredith

One of the nation’s first documented African-American female architects, who designed and built Azurest South, the now official Virginia State University Alumni Association House/Office. She was also a professor at Virginia State University and is credited for establishing the School of Fine Arts Department at the University.

Is an internationally known educator and former president of the National Education Association (NEA). Dr. Futrell has served as the Dean of The George Washington University Graduate School of Education and Human Development (GW/GSEHD) in Washington, DC, a Professor of Education Policy and Administration, and the Director of the Institute for Curriculum, Standards, and Technology. In addition to an unprecedented six-year term leading the NEA, Dr. Futrell served as President of Education International, which represents 23,000,000 million educators worldwide.

Named in 2004 as one of the 50 Most Important Blacks in Research Science by both Science Spectrum and US Black Engineer & Information Technology magazines, Dr. Stith served as a Professor of Physics at The Ohio State University and spent 21 years on the faculty of the United States Military Academy at West Point. He was the first African American to be named President of the American Association of Physics Teachers and has served as President of the National Society of Black Physicists. He has also published a large number of papers in Physics Teacher, Physics Today, and the American Journal of Physics and has been guest speaker at many scientific events and conferences.

Her contributions to two of Virginia’s premier historically Black institutions have been remarkable. At Hampton University, she served as chair of the Department of Elementary Education, vice president for academic affairs, and director of the Living History Research Project. Virginia State University blossomed during her tenure as Dean of the School of Education, and provost and vice president for academic affairs.

College/University Presidents

Was the first African American president of a college within the Virginia Community College system, John Tyler Community College. He served as President from 1979-1990 and during his tenure, he was responsible for the expansion of the college due to his leadership, dedication and vision for the institution. Dr. Nicholas was also instrumental in revitalizing the John Tyler Foundation. The Nicholas Student Center on campus is named in his honor.

Sussex County School, Sussex, VA