Dr. Roy Hudson, 93, Hampton University’s 10th President, Dies

By Rosaland Tyler
Associate Editor
New Journal and Guide

Much has changed since the late Dr. Roy Hudson entered the presidential suite at Hampton University in 1970, rolled up his sleeves, and began to manage the bustling and thriving  university from 1970-1979.

The Afros, dashikis and student protests slowly disappeared at HBCUs nationwide and at Hampton. But Hudson also launched initiatives “that expanded educational opportunities and enhanced the quality of education at Hampton University, “ HU President Darrell K. Williams wrote in a recent statement.

Hudson died on April 17 at age 93, decades after he and 13 Black college presidents met with President Richard Nixon in 1973, in an effort to secure more federal funds for HBCUs, according to news reports.

His obituary shows he grew up in Chattanooga, joined  the Air Force, and became the first Black to receive a doctorate in pharmacology at the University of Michigan in 1962. He spent years in the pharmaceutical industry, including as vice president for The Upjohn Company, which later merged and was bought by Pfizer. During his vice presidency, he and his wife relocated to several cities including Overijse, Belgium.

Hudson later served as the interim president of Livingstone College in Salisbury, N.C. He also worked at the University of Michigan and Brown University, where he also served as associate dean.

According to a 2016 University of Michigan “Alumni Spotlight” piece about Hudson, he never imagined a career in higher education, believing instead he’d become a high school teacher or technician. However, he was awarded one of 50 highly competitive spots from the Danforth Foundation Fellowship, which allowed him to pursue a doctorate and discover pharmacology.

His survivors include his wife, Constance; two children, Hollye Goler and David Hudson; six grandchildren and one great-grandson.

According to his online obituary, his funeral was held in Roswell, Ga., the city that he and his wife moved to in 2009. Roswell is located about 30 minutes from Atlanta. There, he and his wife joined Zion Missionary Baptist Church. He also taught Sunday School,  and participated in the Men’s Sunday School Class; Men’s Chorus; Scholarship Committee and Drama Production.