Greensboro College's First Black Graduate

The first black student to graduate from Greensboro College was actually not an African-American - he was a Nigerian. Nathaniel A. Nkanta transferred to the College in the Fall of 1969 and became the College's first black graduate in the spring of 1971. In late 1968, Nkanta was in danger of being deported back to Nigeria because he had lost his restricted immigration permit when he became so sick that he had to drop out of the college he was attending at the time. The political situation in Nigeria at the time was highly volatile given the ongoing civil war there. Nkanta's father had already been beheaded, and Nkanta almost certainly would have been killed had he been deported back to Nigeria. Through the intervention of a Catholic priest and Dr. Hull (Then Chairman of the Dept. of Religion and Philosophy here at the College.), Nkanta managed to avoid being deported and ended up finishing his undergraduate degree here at Greensboro College.

"Nkanta said he would have been beheaded in his homeland if Monsignor Hugh A. Dolan, Priest at St. Pius X Catholic Church and Dr. James E. Hull, chairman of Greensboro College's department of religion and philosophy, hadn't come to his aid."

Excerpt from The Greensboro
Daily News, May 31, 1971

Greensboro College's First African-American Graduate

Penny Shamberger was neither the first African-American to attend Greensboro College in the late 1960s, nor was she the first black to graduate from the College. In 1973, however, Penny became the first African-American to graduate from the College.

Why Greensboro College?

Penny, who was local to the area, recalls that her mother wouldn't let her attend A&T State University because its students were mostly male. And Penny didn't want to attend Bennett College because it was all female. Penny ultimately decided upon Greensboro College because it was co-ed and because it also had a sound music program at the time. Penny also recalls that she did not experience any discrimination or racial tension while here at the College.

Fred Davie
Class of 1978

Major - Political Science

Major Activities:
National Model United Nations / 1st Black SGA Vice-President, then President

Alice Davis
Class of 1977

Major - Sociology & Social Work

Major Activities:
Cheerleading / Emerson Society / Marshal / May Court Attendant / UAAS

Loraine Johnson
Class of 1978

Major - Political Science

Major Activities:
Dorm Council / Emerson Society / Inter-Club Council / National Model United Nations / SGA / UAAS - President / New Women's - Vice-President

Marilyn Monroe
Class of 1977

Major - Sociology & Social Work

Major Activites:
Dorm Vice-President / Greensboro College Gospel Choir / NC Black Student Congress / Sociology Club / UAAS - Treasurer

Terrance "Wizard" Hart
Class of 1975

Major - Physical Education

Major Activites:
Basketball / UAAS

Bill McClain
Class of 1975

Major - Business

Major Activities:
Assistant Basketball Coach / Basketball / Court of Appeals / Dorm President / SGA / UAAS Founder and President

Johnny Barnes
Class of 1976

Major - Political Science

Major Activities:
Alpha Phi Omega (Service Fraternity)/ Assistant Dorm Counselor / Chamber Singers / Chorale / Financial Advisory Board / GC Players / Junior Class President / SGA / Soccer / UAAS