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Roy Davage Hudson
10th President of Hampton Institute
In office
1970–1976
Preceded byJerome H. Holland
Succeeded byCarl McClellan Hill
13th President of Livingstone College
In office
1995 – 1996 (interim)
Preceded byBernard W. Franklin
Succeeded byBurnett W. Joiner
Personal details
Born(1930-06-30)June 30, 1930
Chattanooga, Tennessee, U.S.
DiedApril 17, 2024(2024-04-17) (aged 93)
Hampton, Georgia, U.S.
SpouseConstance Joan Taylor (m. 1956–2024; his death)
Children2
Alma materLivingstone College,
University of Michigan
OccupationAcademic administrator, educator, businessman, university department dean, university president, neuropharmacologist, public relations

Roy Davage Hudson (June 30, 1930 – April 17, 2024) was an American academic administrator, educator, neuropharmacologist, businessman, and university president.[1][2] He served as the tenth president of Hampton Institute (now Hampton University) in Hampton, Virginia, from 1970 to 1976;[3][4][5] and he served as the thirteenth interim president of Livingstone College in Salisbury, North Carolina, from 1995 to 1996. As a neuropharmacologist, Hudson researched the interaction of certain chemical agents with neurons; which resulted in multiple publications, including in the Merck Index and he held leadership positions in pharmaceutical manufacturing firms.[6]

Early life and education

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Roy Davage Hudson was born on June 30, 1930, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to parents Everence (née Wilkerson) and James Roy Hudson.[6][7] He graduated from high school at age 16.[8] From 1948 until 1952, Hudson served in the United States Air Force and stationed in Alaska where he worked on engine repair of airplanes damaged during the Korean War.[6]

Hudson attended Livingstone College in Salisbury, North Carolina from 1952 to 1955, where he graduated with a B. S. degree (1955).[6] He was a member of the Livingstone football team where he was an all-conference athlete, and was named all-time all-Livingstone Football in 1969.[5] He continued his education at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan where he received a M.S. degree (1957) in zoology, and Ph.D. (1962) in pharmacology.[6] He was the first Black student to receive a PhD in pharmacology from the University of Michigan.[3]

In 1956, he married Constance "Connie" Joan Taylor, a classmate from Livingstone College, and together they had two children.[3][5][9]

Career

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In 1966, Hudson was hired as an associate professor of neurology at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island.[6] While at Brown University he also took on the role of department associate dean and he was part of a committee for on-campus drug issues.[5] He also taught pharmacology at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia.[6] While living in Rhode Island, he was a member of the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Providence.[5]

In the early 1970s, Hudson served as a co-director of a conference focused on Black culture and education, affiliated with the National Council of Churches in the United States.[5] He was a member of numerous organizations including the American Society of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (where he served as president-elect), the Society of Religion in Higher Education, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Men of Science, the Executive Council of Livingstone College, the Afro-American Society of the Connecticut College for Women, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and the Rhode Island Commission on Economic Development, among others.[5]

Hudson became the tenth president of Hampton Institute (now Hampton University) in 1970 in Hampton, Virginia.[3][10] He was chosen as president from approximately 100 candidates.[11] While he was president, the university received a large donation in 1972 by David Packard, the former co-founder of Hewlett-Packard and the former Deputy Secretary of Defense.[12] He stepped down from the role of president in 1976, and cited personal reasons.[3][13]

After leaving Hampton University, he returned to pharmacology and served as the director (later as vice president) of the research labs at Parke Davis from 1977 to 1979.[6][13] This was followed by multiple roles at Upjohn, initially as director of research (of the central nervous system) from 1981 to 1987; vice president of research and development in Europe from 1987 to 1990; vice president of corporate public relations (later part of Pharmacia & Upjohn) from 1990 to 1992.[6][14][15]

Retirement and death

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Hudson retired in 1992, however Hudson served as an interim president for his alma mater Livingstone College from 1995 to 1996.[6] He was awarded honorary degrees from Brown University, Lehigh University, and Princeton University.[6]

Hudson died in Hampton, Georgia on April 17, 2024, at the age of 93.[16][17]

References

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  1. ^ Ploski, Harry A.; Williams, James De Bois (1990). Reference Library of Black America. Gale Research Incorporated. p. 1410.
  2. ^ Henderson, Ashyia N. (2000). Who's Who Among African Americans. Gale Group. p. 647. ISBN 978-0-7876-3634-0.
  3. ^ a b c d e Waterhouse, Sheila (2016-10-17). "Alumni Spotlight: Roy Hudson". Rackham Graduate School: University of Michigan. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  4. ^ "Hudson, Roy Davage". Hampton University Archives.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g Lester, Patricia (1970-05-15). "Man of 'Strong Character': Dr. Roy D. Hudson New HI President". Daily Press. p. 3. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Spangenburg, Ray; Moser, Diane; Long, Douglas (2014-05-14). African Americans in Science, Math, and Invention. Infobase Publishing. p. 121. ISBN 978-1-4381-0774-5.
  7. ^ Matney, William C. (February 1978). Who's Who Among Black Americans. Who's Who Among Black Americans. p. 442. ISBN 978-0-915130-16-0.
  8. ^ A Guide to the Archives of Hampton Institute. Greenwood Press. 1985. p. 73. ISBN 978-0-313-24968-6.
  9. ^ Mallegg, Kristen B. (2008). Who's Who Among African Americans. Gale / Cengage Learning. p. 588. ISBN 978-1-4144-0020-4.
  10. ^ "President Is Named At Hampton Institute". The New York Times. 1970-05-17. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  11. ^ "Dr. Roy D. Hudson New HI President (2/2)". Daily Press. 1970-05-15. p. 5. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  12. ^ "Packard Gives $1-Million In Stock to Black College". The New York Times. 1972-02-06. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  13. ^ a b "Then and now". Daily Press. 1995-05-08. p. 12. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  14. ^ "Executive Changes". The New York Times. 1990-02-27. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  15. ^ "Prayer breakfast planned at church". Battle Creek Enquirer. 2001-08-15. p. 17. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  16. ^ "Dr. Roy Davage Hudson, June 30, 1930 – April 17, 2024". Dignity Memorial. April 17, 2024.
  17. ^ "Hampton University Mourns the Loss of 10th President Dr. Roy Hudson". Hampton University Home. 2024-04-24. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
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