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Home Again: Harold Martin, former chancellor at WSSU, is named to lead N.C. A&T
Journal Photo by David Rolfe
N.C. A&T State's new chancellor, Harold Martin, embraces Erskine Bowles, the UNC system president. At right is Martin's wife, Davida.
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Published: May 23, 2009
GREENSBORO
For Harold Martin, becoming chancellor of N.C. A&T State University feels like coming home.
"It's a great pleasure," Martin said. "It really is."
Martin, 57, was named chancellor yesterday at a special session of the UNC board of governors on the A&T campus.
Martin was chancellor at Winston-Salem State University from 2000 to 2006. He left to become the senior vice president for academic affairs in the UNC system.
Martin is familiar with A&T from almost all angles. He got a bachelor's and master's degree there, taught electrical engineering, and later was department chairman. He also served as the vice chancellor for academic affairs.
Martin said that his familiarity with the campus will help him push through initiatives to strengthen academic standards, re-establish fiscal control, raise money and build partnerships in the community.
"I understand this institution. I understand its history and tradition. I know the people, and I know what is possible at this institution," Martin said. "I don't believe there will be any anxiety about trust."
Martin, who grew up in Winston-Salem, will take over at A&T on June 8. He succeeds Stanley Battle, who announced in February that he is resigning for personal reasons.
Erskine Bowles, the UNC president, praised Martin for his leadership and integrity. Martin, he said, taught him the ins and outs of the UNC system when Bowles first became president in 2006.
"It's a huge personal loss for me," Bowles told about 100 people who attended the special session. "I depend on Harold Martin. I depend on his wisdom and patience -- Lord knows, he has patience -- and expertise. But I understand why he misses this campus."
Bowles said that the stability that Martin brought to WSSU after Alvin Schexnider's turbulent tenure made him a good candidate for the A&T job.
Under Martin, WSSU's enrollment increased, the average SAT score of incoming freshmen jumped by 70 points, and the campus underwent a physical transformation, Bowles said.
"That university experienced a transformation that is nothing short of remarkable," he said.
Bowles said he hopes that Martin can bring that same stability to A&T, which, counting interim Chancellor Lloyd Hackley, has had three chancellors in less than three years.
Martin was one of two candidates that a search committee recommended to Bowles, who then selected Martin as his nominee.
Martin was a finalist for the job in 1999, and was also considered a strong candidate for the post in 2006, however, he never applied for it and stayed at WSSU.
"The search and conclusion feels providential," said Hannah Gage, the chairwoman of the board of governors.
"It just feels right," Gage said. "North Carolina A&T is in good hands."
■ Lisa O'Donnell can be reached at 727-7420 or at lo'donnell@wsjournal.com.
About Harold Martin
• AGE: 57.
• HOMETOWN: Winston-Salem.
• EDUCATION: Bachelor's and master's degrees in electrical engineering from N.C. A&T State University. Doctorate in electrical engineering from Virginia Tech.
• EXPERIENCE: Joined the faculty at N.C. A&T in 1980. Named the dean of College of Engineering in 1989 and became the vice chancellor for academic affairs in 1994. Tapped as the interim chancellor of WSSU in 1999. He was named chancellor in 2001 and served five years before leaving to become the senior vice president of academic affairs for the UNC system.
• FAMILY: Wife, Davida; two sons, Harold Jr. and Walter.
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