Notable Alumni of West Virginia State University
West Virginia State University (WVSU) has a rich history of producing accomplished individuals across various fields. This article highlights some of the university's most notable alumni, showcasing their diverse contributions to society. EduRank, as of March 2, 2025, ranks West Virginia State University 1696th in the world, 595th in North America, and 560th in the United States based on aggregated alumni prominence.
Pioneers and Trailblazers
Carter Godwin Woodson: The Father of Black History
Carter Godwin Woodson (Born December 19, 1875 - Died April 3, 1950) was an American historian, author, journalist, and the founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). He was one of the first scholars to study the history of the African diaspora, including African-American history. A founder of The Journal of Negro History in 1916, Woodson has been called the "father of black history." In February 1926, he launched the celebration of "Negro History Week," the precursor of Black History Month. Woodson was an important figure to the movement of Afrocentrism, due to his perspective of placing people of African descent at the center of the study of history and the human experience.
Earl Lloyd: Breaking Barriers in Basketball
Earl Francis Lloyd (Born April 3, 1928 - Died February 26, 2015) was an American professional basketball player and coach. He holds the distinction of being the first African American player to play a game in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Oscar Holmes: A Pioneer in Aviation
Oscar Wayman Holmes was an American naval aviator in World War II and civilian flight controller, the first African-American in each position. Holmes enrolled in West Virginia State University in 1936 and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in chemistry.
William J. Robinson: First African-American Head Coach in NCAA Division I History
William J. Robinson was an American college basketball coach and scout. Robinson became the first African-American head coach in NCAA Division I history when he accepted the position at Illinois State University in 1970. He scouted for the Detroit Pistons for 28 years, and worked 22 years for the Detroit Lions as a part-time scout. Robinson, who is a member of seven athletic halls of fame, was also the first black high school coach in Michigan, winning two state championships in basketball.
Read also: Baylor's Notable Alumni
Katherine Johnson: Pioneering NASA Mathematician
Katherine Johnson (Born August 26, 1918 - Died February 24, 2020) was an American mathematician whose calculations of orbital mechanics were critical to the success of the first and subsequent U.S. crewed spaceflights. During her 33-year career at NASA and its predecessor, she earned a reputation for mastering complex manual calculations and helped pioneer the use of computers to perform the tasks. The space agency noted her "historical role as one of the first African-American women to work as a NASA scientist".
Harriet Elizabeth Byrd: First African-American Elected to the Wyoming Legislature
Harriet Elizabeth Byrd was an American politician and educator from Wyoming who was the first African-American elected to the Wyoming Legislature.
Leaders in Law and Politics
Reggie Walton: Presiding Judge and Legal Expertise
Reggie Barnett Walton is a senior United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. He is a former presiding judge of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court.
Damon Keith: A Champion of Justice
Damon Jerome Keith (Born July 4, 1922 - Died April 28, 2019) was a United States circuit judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and a former United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. Keith died in office at age 96.
Leon Sullivan: Civil Rights Leader and Social Activist
Leon Howard Sullivan (Born October 16, 1922 - Died April 24, 2001) was a Baptist minister, a civil rights leader and social activist focusing on the creation of job training opportunities for African Americans, a longtime General Motors Board Member, and an anti-Apartheid activist. Sullivan died of leukemia in a Scottsdale, Arizona hospital at the age of 78.
Read also: Columbia University Legacy
Richard Ojeda: A Voice for West Virginia
Richard Neece Ojeda II is an American politician and retired United States Army major who served in the West Virginia Senate representing the 7th district from January 2017 until January 2019. A member of the Democratic Party, he ran a brief campaign for President of the United States in the 2020 election.
Caleb Hanna: A Young Voice in West Virginia Politics
Caleb Hanna is an American politician who served as a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates, from 2018 to 2024. Hanna was elected to the office on November 6, 2018, defeating incumbent Dana Lynch. Caleb Hanna lives in Nicholas County, West Virginia.
James W. Holley, III: Pioneering Mayor of Portsmouth, Virginia
James W. Holley III was an American politician and dental surgeon. Holley became the first Black mayor of Portsmouth, Virginia, and ultimately the city's longest serving mayor, although both his mayoral terms (separated by a decade) ended with his being recalled from office. Thus he became the only known politician in American history to be twice recalled until Fullerton, California Councilman Don Bankhead was recalled in June 2012.
Stars in Arts and Entertainment
Antoine Fuqua: Acclaimed Film Director
Antoine Fuqua is an American film director known for his work in the action and thriller genres. He was originally known as a director of music videos, and made his film debut in 1998 with The Replacement Killers. His critical breakthrough was the 2001 crime thriller Training Day, winning the Black Reel Award for Outstanding Director.
Chu Berry: Jazz Saxophone Legend
Leon Brown "Chu" Berry (Born September 13, 1910 - Died January 31, 1941) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist during the 1930s. He is perhaps best known for his time as a member of singer Cab Calloway's big band.
Read also: Excellence at Hofstra University
Scott Patterson: From Baseball to Acting
Scott Robert Patterson is an American former professional baseball pitcher and actor. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees and San Diego Padres.
Contributions to Sports
Reggie Branch: NFL Running Back
Reginald Etoy Branch is a former American football running back in the National Football League (NFL) for the Washington Redskins. He played college football at West Virginia State University and East Carolina University.
Bob Wilson: Professional Basketball Player
Robert Wilson Jr. was an American professional basketball player. He played for the Milwaukee Hawks in the National Basketball Association during 1951-52 after a collegiate career at West Virginia State University.
Military Service and Diplomacy
Charles Calvin Rogers: Medal of Honor Recipient
Charles Calvin Rogers (Born September 22, 1929 - Died September 21, 1970) was a US Army officer and a recipient of the highest military decoration in the United States, the Medal of Honor, for his actions during the Vietnam War.
Harvey D. Williams: Major General
Harvey Dean Williams Sr. was a United States Army major general. Army in 1980. He commanded artillery units in the Korean War and Vietnam War and his 1978 activism after facing discrimination as an African-American soldier in Augsburg, West Germany made international news.
Arlene Render: Diplomat and Ambassador
Arlene Render is an American former diplomat. An officer of the United States Foreign Service, she served as the United States Ambassador to the Gambia, Zambia, and Ivory Coast. She was also noted for her role amidst the initial onset of the Rwandan genocide.
Academia and Education
Ancella Radford Bickley: Historian and Educator
Ancella Radford Bickley is an American historian born in Huntington, West Virginia. She earned a bachelor's degree in English from West Virginia State College, now West Virginia State University in 1950, a master's degree in English from Marshall University (where she was the first full-time African American student) in 1954, and an Ed.D. in English from West Virginia University in 1974. She is involved in the preservation of African American history in West Virginia.
William P. Greene, Jr: Judge
William Parnell Greene Jr. is a former judge of the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
