The first African American to serve on the Supreme Court of North Carolina will visit campus on May 20 to address graduating students and their families.
The Honorable Henry E. Frye, the first African American elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives in the 20th century and, later, the first African-American to serve on the Supreme Court of North Carolina, will deliver Elon University’s Baccalaureate remarks on Friday, May 20, 2016.
The university will honor Frye at the ceremony with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters in recognition of his service to Elon, to North Carolina, and to the profession of law.
Baccalaureate takes place in Alumni Gym at 3 p.m. The program is open to the public, with all graduates and their families invited to attend.
Frye serves on the Board of Advisors for Elon University School of Law. In addition to his community and civic service, Frye has more than 24 years in the private practice of law, 14 years in the North Carolina General Assembly, 10 years as president of a local bank, two years as an assistant U.S. attorney, two years as a law school professor, and more than 17 years on the Supreme Court of North Carolina.
In 1968, he became the first African American to be elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives in the 20th century. He served in the House for 12 years and was then elected to a two-year term in the North Carolina Senate. In 1983, Frye became the first African American to serve on the Supreme Court of North Carolina. He was appointed by North Carolina Gov. Jim Hunt to serve as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in September 1999.
He retired from the Court in 2001 and shortly thereafter became an attorney with Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard, LLP. Frye graduated summa cum laude from North Carolina A&T State University and received his law degree from the University of North Carolina with honors.
Frye is a visiting professor of political science and justice at North Carolina A&T State University.
The 2016 Commencement ceremonies will take place on Scott Plaza in front of Alamance at 9:15 a.m. on Saturday, May 21.