Bonita J. Brown was installed Friday as Winston-Salem State University’s 14th chancellor, becoming the first permanent female top administrator in the school’s 132-year history.
Retired Judge Denise Hartsfield of Forsyth District Court administered the oath of office to Brown as her parents, her husband and UNC System President Peter Hans gathered around her in Benton Convention Center.
Brown, 53, told more than 1,000 people who attended her installation ceremony that she is honored and humbled to serve as WSSU’s chancellor.
“I feel like I was called to lead this institution,” Brown said.
Brown was appointed as the Winston-Salem State University chancellor by the UNC board of governors. She began her duties on July 1, 2024.
In her speech, Brown praised the previous chancellors and presidents at WSSU.
“I am standing on the shoulders of giants,” Brown said. “You have entrusted me with this opportunity, and I am forever grateful.”
Before she began her tenure at Winston-Salem State, Brown served as the interim president at Northern Kentucky University.
Brown received her bachelor’s degree in history at Wake Forest University and a law degree from the Wake Forest School of Law.
Winston is new chancellor’s hometown
A native of Winston-Salem, Brown grew up in Welcome in Davidson County and attended North Davidson High School. Her parents are Winston-Salem State alumni.
“I was destined to be born to WSSU parents,” Brown told the audience. “I have never known a world without Winston-Salem State.”
Brown thanked her parents, Bern and Freda Hairston, her husband, Wesley Brown, her friends and colleagues who helped her achieve her goal of becoming a university chancellor.
Brown pointed out that Winston-Salem State University contributes about $660 million annually to the local economy and supports more than 7,000 jobs. Those numbers demonstrate the university’s commitment to the local community, the chancellor said.
She leads a university with a student enrollment of 4,972, including 1,003 first-year students and 679 graduate students.
Brown said the students are the heartbeat of the school.
The university also receives more than $29 million in federal research money, Brown said.
Winston-Salem State also affects North Carolina’s economy and culture with more than 70% of its alumni working and living in the state, Brown said.
“Whatever progress is being made, chances are there is a Ram in the room,” Brown said about Winston-Salem State’s alumni. “As long as we keep producing Rams, the world will be a better place.”
During the ceremony, several speakers talked about the university’s history, its mission and its motto.
Winston-Salem State University was founded as Slater Industrial Academy on Sept. 28, 1892, according to a university document. The academy began in a one-room frame building with 25 students and one teacher.
In 1899, the school was chartered by the state as the Slater Industrial and State Normal School. The General Assembly changed its name to Winston-Salem Teachers College in 1925.
In 1972, Winston-Salem State became one of the 16 constituent institutions in the UNC System.
During its history, only men served as its presidents and chancellors. That changed when Michelle Howard-Vital was named as the university’s interim chancellor from 2006 to 2007.
In a video, U.S. Rep. Alma Adams, D-12th, congratulated the university community on Brown becoming its first permanent female chancellor.
“Chancellor Brown is a role model and a trailblazer,” Adams said. “I can think of no better leader for the incredible institution.”
Kind words from NC governor
Gov. Josh Stein said his video statement that Brown’s installation as chancellor is a historic moment.
Stein praised Winston-Salem State’s nursing program as one of the state’s top nursing programs, saying that the school “is giving students the tools they need to move up in this world.”
Brown is building on a “proud legacy” at Winston-Salem State University, Stein said.
“I can’t wait to see what is next for WSSU,” the governor said.
State Rep. Donny Lambeth, R-75th, told the crowd that he was proud of Brown.
“You are here because you are the right person,” Lambeth said. “You will do remarkable things to serve your students, faculty and the state of North Carolina.”
Mayor Allen Joines said that Brown will maintain the Winston-Salem State partnership with the city of Winston-Salem during her tenure as chancellor.
The university and city work together in many ways, Joines said, and Winston-Salem State helps fuel Winston-Salem’s economy.
Wake Forest President Susan Wente said Brown is a distinguished alumna of Wake Forest.
“She is a force for good in our shared community here in Winston-Salem,” Wente said. “We look forward to continue to work alongside her.”
The installation ceremony ended with performances by the Winston-Salem State University Red Sea of Sound marching band and the university’s cheerleaders.
Their music and dance routines created an atmosphere inside the convention center similar to halftime at a Winston-Salem State football game.
jhinton@wsjournal.com
336-727-7299
@jhintonWSJ
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