North Carolina Central University - Eagle Yearbook (Durham, NC)

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Dr. James E. Shepard Founder — President 1909-1948 Dr. Samuel Massie President 1963-1966 Dr. Alfonso Elder President 1948-1963

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Dr. James E. Shepard founded what is now North Carolina Central University in 1910, as the National Religious Training School and Chautauqua. He served the institution as its president until his death, October 6, 1947. James Edward Shepard was born November 3, 1875, as the nation was beginning its celebration of the centennial. Black Americans were observing the end of the first decade of emancipation. He was the son of a distinguished Baptist minister, the Reverend S. Augustus Shepard. He received his undergraduate and professional training in pharmacy at Shaw University in his native Raleigh. He also held degrees from Muskingum College, Selma University, and Howard Univer- sity. Between 1898 and 1900 Dr. Shepard was comparer of deeds in the Recorder ' s Office in Washington, D.C. From 1899 to 1905 he was deputy collector of internal revenue at Raleigh. From 1905 to 1909, he was field superintendent of the International Sunday School Association. As the National Religious Training School and Chautauqua, the institution begun by Dr. Shepard in 1910 has 130 students, with no permanent buildings on the campus. By the time of his death, the value of the physical plant was well over $2,000,000. There were 1 ,500 students and 72 faculty members. Dr. Shepard was a celebrated orator and preacher. As early as 1910, he was the only Black speaker at the World Sunday School Convention in Rome. His annual radio ad- dresses to the people of North Carolina gave evidence of his deep interest in public affairs and interracial relations. Dr. Shepard was often asked at the end of his life to consent to the casting of a bust or life mask of himself. He would tell visitors of the answer given by Sir Christopher Wren to similar requests. Wren would point to London ' s St. Paul ' s Catherdral, which he designed, and say, This is my monument. Visitors would be conducted to a window overlooking the campus of North Carolina College. They would stand looking out that window with Dr. Shepard who with a sweeping gesture said, This is my monument. If I am not remembered for this, I will be remembered for nothing.

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Chancellor of the University Dr. Albert N. Whiting