Campus Echo Online: Campus News

Central leaders reunite
SGA presidents of the past are honored in a special presentation hosted by the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs.
By Shirley Faulkner-Springfied
Echo Assistant Editor

Former SGA presidents were honored at a private reception during the 90th Anniversary Founder’s Day and Homecoming celebrations.

Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Angela Terry hosted the university’s first event honoring the contributions of presidents and vice presidents of the SGA Nov. 3 in the Student Services Building.

Terry said the idea came to her one evening while she was home thinking about how she could involve the SGA in the homecoming festivities.

“These people are unsung heroes in the development of the university, and this is our way of saying ‘Thank you,’” said Terry.

Terry found a plaque in a box among other SGA treasures, and she and Assistant to the Vice Chancellor Hazel Davis decided to upgrade it and present it at the reception.

Terry said that obviously someone had considered paying tribute to the officers with the plaques years ago, but for some reason suspended the idea.

“The plaque is a wonderful view of the university, but more importantly, it is a view of what the university means to the State of North Carolina,” said Terry. “Some of the SGA presidents and vice-presidents are successful community leaders.”

As guests exited the elevator and crossed the threshold into SGA land, Terry and Davis greeted them and led them to a wall adorned with SGA history.

The association has had 60 presidents since 1939. Some of the earlier pioneers who attended were: Percy Murray, vice-president from 1969-70; Mary Townes, vice-president from 1947-48 and president from 1948-49; Charles Holland, president 1956-57; and Charles Flowers, II, president from 1946-47.

At the reception: Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Angela Terry (left), 1946-1947 SGA president Charles Flowers (center), Assistant to the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Hazel Davis (right). Tiffany Hughes/Echo Staff Photographer

Flowers’ appearance brought even more radiance to an already glowing evening of friends and colleagues. Flowers, the sixth SGA president, was the first to establish the student government.

A Durham native, Flowers majored in business administration. He resides in Maryland and has had a career as a program analyst.

“‘What project could we as seniors undertake for the good of the school?’ was asked during a class meeting,” said Flowers. “I made the suggestion to establish a government that would be endorsed by Shepard.”

A 1947 issue of the Campus Echo reported in 1946 that the students of North Carolina College voted to discontinue their previous governing body, the Student Forum, and to elect John Brown, Doris Trice, and Charles Flowers and several other active and progressive students to draw up a constitution for a Student Government that would engulf all phases of student activities.

“Apparently, Shepard did not sanction past efforts because no student government survived prior to 1947,” said Flowers.

The five-member committee stayed on campus through the summer of 1946 to draft the constitution and bylaws. They were presented to Shepard at the beginning of the 1946-47 academic year, according to Flowers.

After a few corrections and revisions, they were approved, the proposal was presented to the student body, and an election day was set for the election of new officers.

“This was followed by some serious campaigning between me and Harold Epps,” said Flowers. “Of course, I was successful at becoming the first president of the current student government.”

The SGA plays a pivotal role in the implementation of laws and procedures on campus. Today, many of those practices are taken for granted.

“These people have contributed to the university more than people can imagine,” said Tonia Hicks, president from 1994-95.

In 1948, Dr. Elder received a proposal from the SGA requesting telephone installation in all dormitories, male visitation in the recreation room of female dormitories, a guidance center for all students, extended calling hours for junior and senior women from 8:30-10:30 p.m. on Friday and Sunday nights, movies on campus, matinee dances every Saturday, and extended dance hours.

Today students enjoy telephones in every dormitory room, co-ed dorm and campus-wide social activities.