Talladega College

Campus News

Back To Full Listing
Twenty-three Talladega College alumni have gone on to become college or university presidents.

Talladega College Salutes Alumni Who Have Become College Presidents

February 28, 2024

As we wrap up Black History Month, we pay tribute to the 23 Talladega College Alumni who have become college or university presidents. These men and women have led institutions of higher education during periods of great expansion and growth as well as times of war, turmoil, political unrest, or financial difficulty.

Having so many graduates move on to become higher education leaders is a testament to our mission and the vision of our founders, William Savery and Thomas Tarrant as well as the education, character, leadership development, and support that Talladega College has always provided its students.

  1. William McAlpine, 1867 - 1874, First President of Alabama Baptist Normal and Theological School (Selma University)
  2. Rev. John W. Strong, Class of 1880, Central Texas College (Waco, TX)
  3. Nathan B. Young, Class of 1884, Florida State Industrial College (Florida A&M), Lincoln University (Jefferson City, MO)
  4. Rev. Augustus A. Battle, Class of 1888, Normal & Industrial College of Anniston (Anniston, AL)
  5. Jefferson G. Ish Jr., Class of 1907, Arkansas AM&N College (University of Arkansas Pine Bluff)
  6. Dr. Joseph F. Drake, Class of 1916, Alabama A&M, Namesake of Drake State Community College (Huntsville, AL)
  7. Dr. Arthur D. Gray, Class of 1927, Talladega College
  8. Dr. Aaron Brown, Class of 1928, Talladega College (interim), Albany State (Albany, GA)
  9. Dr. Theodore R. Speigner, Class of 1930, Martin Luther Institute (Tuscaloosa, AL)
  10. Dr. Waldo William Emerson Blanchet Class of 1931 Fort Valley State University
  11. Dr. Herman H. Long, Class of 1935, Talladega College
  12. Dr. Paul E. Bledsoe, Class of 1935, Prairie View A&M University (TX)
  13. Dr. Broadus N. Butler, Class of 1941, Dillard University (LA)
  14. Dr. Charles B. Fancher, Class of 1941, Tennessee State University
  15. Dr. Jewel Plummer Cobb, Class of 1944, California State University, Fullerton
  16. Dr. Nelson McGhee Jr., Class of 1951, Morehouse School of Medicine (Interim -1992)
  17. Dr. Marguerite Archie-Hudson, Class of 1958, Talladega College
  18. Dr. William R. Harvey, Class of 1961, Hampton University (VA)
  19. Dr. Oscar L. Prater, Class of 1961, Talladega College and Fort Valley State University (GA)
  20. Dr. Joe A. Lee Class of 1968 Alabama State University, Tougaloo
  21. Dr. Helen Tinker McAlpine, Class of 1970, Drake State University (AL), Gadsden State University (AL)
  22. Dr. Juliette B. Bell, Class of 1977, University of Maryland - Eastern Shore
  23. Dr. Cynthia Anthony, Class of 1984, Lawson State Community College, Drake State University, Shelton State University, Enterprise State University