Winston-Salem State University's notable alumni

Education

HBCU of the Week on AJC Sepia: Winston-Salem State University's Notable Graduates

Winston-Salem State University has been educating people since 1892, when it was founded as a one-room school with 25 students. Since then, thousands have graduated from the HBCU and contributed to North Carolina and the world. Here are a few of the brightest Rams.

In 1892, Simon Green Atkins, the oldest child of a brick layer and former slaves, founded a one-room school with one teacher and 25 students. It was called Slater Industrial Academy and is now known as Winston-Salem State University, a major HBCU with more than 5,000 students. Atkins served as President of Slater Industrial Academy for over 30 years, from 1892-1904 and from 1913-1934. A statue of Atkins sits in the middle of WSSU.

Wanda Maria Howell is an American actress and singer born in Gastonia, N.C. She made her film debut in 1985 in “The Color Purple.” She was the singer leading the choir at the unset of “Maybe God is Trying to Tell You Something.” Most recently, she played Seeder in “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.”

Louis Farrakhan, Sr. is the leader of the religious group the Nation of Islam. He served as the minister of major mosques in Boston and Harlem, and was appointed by the longtime NOI leader, Elijah Muhammad. In 1996, he spearheaded the Million Man March.

Vernon Earl Monroe is an American retired professional basketball player. He played for two teams, the Baltimore Bullets and the New York Knicks, during his career in the National Basketball Association. Both teams have retired Monroe's number.

Louise Smith, an educator who established the first kindergarten program in North Carolina,

William Quintin Hayes is an American football defensive end for the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL Draft.

Stephen Anthony Smith, more commonly known as "Stephen A.," is an American television personality, host, radio host, and sports journalist. Smith is a host on ESPN's "First Take," where he appears with Skip Bayless. While at WSSU, he played basketball under Big House Gaines.

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In 1892, Simon Green Atkins, the oldest child of a brick layer and former slaves, founded a one-room school with one teacher and 25 students. It was called Slater Industrial Academy and is now known as Winston-Salem State University, a major HBCU with more than 5,000 students. Atkins served as President of Slater Industrial Academy for over 30 years, from 1892-1904 and from 1913-1934. A statue of Atkins sits in the middle of WSSU.

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