Gwendolyn Boyd
The trustees of Alabama State, headed by Gov. Robert Bentley, voted 11-0 Friday to hire Boyd over retired Brig. Gen. Samuel Nichols of Virginia and Democratic state Sen. Quinton Ross of Montgomery.
“It feels wonderful. This is a defining moment for Alabama State,” the university’s first female president said in an interview.
Boyd, 58, grew up on the poor side of Montgomery, became one of the first Black students to integrate Montgomery’s Jefferson Davis High School, and then earned a scholarship to Alabama State, where she got a bachelor’s degree in math. She got her master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Yale University and her doctorate in divinity from Howard University. She is currently executive assistant to the chief of staff of the Applied Physics Lab at Johns Hopkins in Maryland.
Trustee Chairman Elton Dean said Boyd stood out because she has roots at the university, but she went elsewhere to achieve recognition before seeking to return home. He said Boyd has the contacts to help the university increase its donations.
“She’s got a national reputation. We are fortunate to have a person of that character,” he said.
A survey by the student government association found that she was the overwhelming favorite among students.
