Roy Davage Hudson

Roy Davage Hudson
10th President of Hampton Institute
In office 1970–1976
Preceded by	Jerome H. Holland
Succeeded by	Carl McClellan Hill
13th President of Livingstone College
In office 1995 – 1996 (interim)
Preceded by	Bernard W. Franklin
Succeeded by	Burnett W. Joiner
Personal details
Born	(1930-06-30)June 30, 1930 Chattanooga, Tennessee, U.S.
Died	April 17, 2024(2024-04-17) (aged 93) Hampton, Georgia, U.S.
Spouse	Constance Joan Taylor (m. 1956–2024; his death)
Children	2
Alma mater	Livingstone College, University of Michigan
Occupation	Academic administrator, educator, businessman, university department dean, university president, neuropharmacologist, public relations

Roy Davage Hudson (June 30, 1930 – April 17, 2024) was an American academic administrator, educator, neuropharmacologist, businessman, and university president.[1][2] He served as the tenth president of Hampton Institute (now Hampton University) in Hampton, Virginia, from 1970 to 1976;[3][4][5] and he served as the thirteenth interim president of Livingstone College in Salisbury, North Carolina, from 1995 to 1996. As a neuropharmacologist, Hudson researched the interaction of certain chemical agents with neurons; which resulted in multiple publications, including in the Merck Index and he held leadership positions in pharmaceutical manufacturing firms.[6]

Early life and education

Roy Davage Hudson was born on June 30, 1930, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to parents Everence (née Wilkerson) and James Roy Hudson.[6][7] He graduated from high school at age 16.[8] From 1948 until 1952, Hudson served in the United States Air Force and stationed in Alaska where he worked on engine repair of airplanes damaged during the Korean War.[6]

Hudson attended Livingstone College in Salisbury, North Carolina from 1952 to 1955, where he graduated with a B. S. degree (1955).[6] He was a member of the Livingstone football team where he was an all-conference athlete, and was named all-time all-Livingstone Football in 1969.[5] He continued his education at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan where he received a M.S. degree (1957) in zoology, and Ph.D. (1962) in pharmacology.[6] He was the first Black student to receive a PhD in pharmacology from the University of Michigan.[3]

In 1956, he married Constance "Connie" Joan Taylor, a classmate from Livingstone College, and together they had two children.[3][5][9]

Career

In 1966, Hudson was hired as an associate professor of neurology at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island.[6] While at Brown University he also took on the role of department associate dean and he was part of a committee for on-campus drug issues.[5] He also taught pharmacology at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia.[6] While living in Rhode Island, he was a member of the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Providence.[5]

In the early 1970s, Hudson served as a co-director of a conference focused on Black culture and education, affiliated with the National Council of Churches in the United States.[5] He was a member of numerous organizations including the American Society of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (where he served as president-elect), the Society of Religion in Higher Education, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Men of Science, the Executive Council of Livingstone College, the Afro-American Society of the Connecticut College for Women, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and the Rhode Island Commission on Economic Development, among others.[5]

Hudson became the tenth president of Hampton Institute (now Hampton University) in 1970 in Hampton, Virginia.[3][10] He was chosen as president from approximately 100 candidates.[11] While he was president, the university received a large donation in 1972 by David Packard, the former co-founder of Hewlett-Packard and the former Deputy Secretary of Defense.[12] He stepped down from the role of president in 1976, and cited personal reasons.[3][13]

After leaving Hampton University, he returned to pharmacology and served as the director (later as vice president) of the research labs at Parke Davis from 1977 to 1979.[6][13] This was followed by multiple roles at Upjohn, initially as director of research (of the central nervous system) from 1981 to 1987; vice president of research and development in Europe from 1987 to 1990; vice president of corporate public relations (later part of Pharmacia & Upjohn) from 1990 to 1992.[6][14][15]

Retirement and death

Hudson retired in 1992, however Hudson served as an interim president for his alma mater Livingstone College from 1995 to 1996.[6] He was awarded honorary degrees from Brown University, Lehigh University, and Princeton University.[6]

Hudson died in Hampton, Georgia on April 17, 2024, at the age of 93.[16][17]

References

1. Ploski, Harry A.; Williams, James De Bois (1990). Reference Library of Black America. Gale Research Incorporated. p. 1410.
2. Henderson, Ashyia N. (2000). Who's Who Among African Americans. Gale Group. p. 647. ISBN 978-0-7876-3634-0.
3. Waterhouse, Sheila (2016-10-17). "Alumni Spotlight: Roy Hudson". Rackham Graduate School: University of Michigan. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
4. "Hudson, Roy Davage". Hampton University Archives.
5. Lester, Patricia (1970-05-15). "Man of 'Strong Character': Dr. Roy D. Hudson New HI President". Daily Press. p. 3. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
6. Spangenburg, Ray; Moser, Diane; Long, Douglas (2014-05-14). African Americans in Science, Math, and Invention. Infobase Publishing. p. 121. ISBN 978-1-4381-0774-5.
7. Matney, William C. (February 1978). Who's Who Among Black Americans. Who's Who Among Black Americans. p. 442. ISBN 978-0-915130-16-0.
8. A Guide to the Archives of Hampton Institute. Greenwood Press. 1985. p. 73. ISBN 978-0-313-24968-6.
9. Mallegg, Kristen B. (2008). Who's Who Among African Americans. Gale / Cengage Learning. p. 588. ISBN 978-1-4144-0020-4.
10. "President Is Named At Hampton Institute". The New York Times. 1970-05-17. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
11. "Dr. Roy D. Hudson New HI President (2/2)". Daily Press. 1970-05-15. p. 5. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
12. "Packard Gives $1-Million In Stock to Black College". The New York Times. 1972-02-06. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
13. "Then and now". Daily Press. 1995-05-08. p. 12. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
14. "Executive Changes". The New York Times. 1990-02-27. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
15. "Prayer breakfast planned at church". Battle Creek Enquirer. 2001-08-15. p. 17. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
16. "Dr. Roy Davage Hudson, June 30, 1930 – April 17, 2024". Dignity Memorial. April 17, 2024.
17. "Hampton University Mourns the Loss of 10th President Dr. Roy Hudson". Hampton University Home. 2024-04-24. Retrieved 2024-04-24.

External links

• Hudson, Roy Davage Papers at Hampton University Archives