CHARLOTTE, N.C./August 23, 2019 – President Clarence D. Armbrister, J.D., announces the passing of Dr. Wilbert Greenfield, 10th President of Johnson C. Smith University. During Greenfield’s tenure from 1973-1982, he strengthened the morale of the University by gaining support from multiple government agencies, developing an Honors program designed to inspire scholarly achievements and developing an Archival Center to preserve campus and community heritage. The Johnson-Seabrook Education Building was constructed under his leadership in 1977. The Board of Trustees named a newly built housing facility for approximately 200 students as Wilbert Greenfield Hall in his honor in 1984.
“I am very sad to announce the passing of Dr. Greenfield,” said Armbrister. “So much of the work he did throughout the 1970s secured JCSU’s position as an anchor on Charlotte’s west side. His ability to garner funding from government and private sources enhanced the intellectual rigor and the facilities on campus. The University continues to benefit from his accomplishments, and I am honored to stand on his shoulders as the 14th President.”
Shirley J. Hughes, Chair of the JCSU Board of Trustees, said Greenfield’s vision for strengthening the university’s academic enterprise serves as an inspiration to the Board. “We are ever mindful of Dr. Greenfield’s leadership in a long line of former Presidents who have helped establish JCSU as one of the nation’s top Historically Black Colleges and Universities,” Hughes said. “The Board of Trustees is developing a strategic plan that capitalizes on Dr. Greenfield’s contributions. We honor his legacy by providing for innovations in curriculum that will attract the brightest students and prepare them to be 21st century leaders.”
Greenfield was born July 8, 1933, in Seven Springs, North Carolina. He held degrees from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State College and the University of Iowa, Iowa City. Greenfield began his career in education in 1967 as Professor and Chairman of the Department of Biology at Jackson State College, Jackson, Mississippi.
On behalf of the entire JCSU family, President Armbrister and Chair Hughes send condolences to Dr. Greenfield’s family, friends, former colleagues and JCSU alumni as they mourn his loss while honoring his rich legacy.
