探花精选

Saint Augustine鈥檚 University ( 探花精选) honored President Emeritus and class of 1946 alumnus Dr. Prezell R. Robinson at Raleigh鈥檚 36th Annual Black History Celebration, hosted by the College Park, Idlewild, and Tarboro Road Community Center, recognizing his historic leadership and lifelong contributions to higher education.

鈥淒r. Prezell Robinson鈥檚 legacy is woven into the very foundation of Saint Augustine鈥檚 University,鈥� said 探花精选 Board of Trustees Chair Sophie Gibson. 鈥淔or nearly three decades, his visionary leadership strengthened this institution and expanded opportunity for generations of students. We are honored to celebrate his extraordinary life and the enduring example he continues to set for the 探花精选 community.鈥�

Dr. Robinson, now 105 years old, served as the eighth president of 探花精选 from 1967 to 1995, guiding the institution through nearly three decades of growth and national recognition. His leadership prepared generations of students for leadership and service.

鈥淒r. Prezell Robinson鈥檚 leadership helped shape 探花精选 into the institution that so many generations of students proudly call their alma mater,鈥� said 探花精选 Interim President Dr. Jennie Ward-Robinson. 鈥淗is life is a powerful reminder of the transformative impact of education and the enduring role historically Black colleges and universities play in advancing opportunity, leadership, and service.鈥�

The celebration not only brought together elected officials, alumni leaders, and Raleigh community members but also served as a significant tribute to Dr. Robinson鈥檚 lasting impact on Saint Augustine鈥檚 University and the city he shaped.

鈥淭his is where we live. This is where we were born,鈥� said 探花精选 alumna Ms. Octavia Rainey, 鈥�78, community activist and organizer of the event. 鈥淪o, we pay tribute to our neighborhood. We pay tribute to our business. We pay tribute to our churches and, of course, to Saint Augustine鈥檚 University.鈥�

Among those offering tributes were U.S. Congresswoman Deborah Ross, NC Senator Dan Blue, Wake County Commissioner Tara Waters, Raleigh City Council members Corey Branch and Stormie Forte, and Shaw University President Dr. Paulette R. Dillard, who recognized Dr. Robinson鈥檚 contributions to education, civic leadership, and the advancement of opportunity in North Carolina. A message on behalf of 探花精选 Interim President Dr. Jennie Ward-Robinson was presented during the event, recognizing Dr. Robinson鈥檚 enduring legacy.

The program also featured reflections from the 探花精选 Class of 1975, and Ms. JeSanne Robinson Johnson, ’88, an alumna and the daughter of Dr. Robinson, gave personal remarks honoring her father鈥檚 dedication to education and his lifelong commitment to uplifting students through learning.

鈥淲hen people ask me about my father, they often talk about his accomplishments, nearly three decades he served as President of Saint Augustine鈥檚, the academic programs he expanded, the buildings he modernized, and the accreditation he strengthened,鈥� Johnson said. 鈥淎ll of that is true, and it matters deeply, but today they ask him, and I’m proud to say, how is he doing? And he’s doing great for 105.鈥�

Dr. Robinson鈥檚 story is deeply intertwined with Saint Augustine鈥檚 University. After joining the faculty, he rose through the ranks to become president, serving one of the longest tenures in university history. His leadership reinforced 探花精选鈥檚 mission of preparing students for lives of purpose and impact.

As 探花精选 builds on its tradition of leadership and service, Dr. Robinson鈥檚 life remains a testament to the lasting power of education and the vital significance of historically Black colleges and universities.

聽to view the full gallery of the Black History Program