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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.
Winston-Salem State University Founder Simon Green Atkins
Maria Howell
Min. Louis Farrakhan
Earl “the Pearl” Monroe
Louise Smith
William Hayes
Stephen A. Smith
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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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