PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (May 12, 2020) – Prairie View A&M University President Emeritus George C. Wright, Ph.D., recently accepted an appointment as a distinguished university scholar and senior faculty fellow for Institutional Diversity at the University of Kentucky (UK). In his new position at UK, Wright will be involved in special assignments at both the administrative level and in the university’s College of Arts and Sciences.
George C. Wright, Ph.D.
“I am excited, honored, and humbled to be returning to UK,” said Wright. “At the same time, this has led to a great deal of reflection on the role of PVAMU in my professional life and development. It was an honor, a joy, and, yes, even a challenge to serve as president for 14 years. I am thankful for every single day and hour I served in that position. I learned so much, probably more than I gave to others. I worked with and was befriended by many, truly outstanding students, PV employees at all levels, and caring alumni and friends of the university. Furthermore, while I am assuming a new professional position, being president emeritus of PVAMU means, to me, that I will always be a part of this university,” he said.
Over the years, Wright has been invited to speak at numerous special programs at UK, including serving as the university’s commencement speaker on two occasions. Wright also received an Honorary Doctorate of Letters and the university’s Medallion for Intellectual Achievement Award in 2015.
“During my years as president of PVAMU, a banner with my likeness was flown near the Main Building at UK, and I am one of 12 graduates whose likeness is displayed in the Hall of Distinguished Alumni in UK’s new bookstore,” said Wright. During the 2019-2020 school year, he was also a visiting professor of history in honor of the 70th anniversary of desegregation.
While he reflects on returning to teaching, Wright is involved in research for his fourth book, R.C.O. Benjamin: A Forgotten Black Leader. It will be followed by a second scholarly project, A Comparative Study of Race Relations in Brazil, South Africa, Australia, Canada, and the United States, and a third, an Autobiography: Growing Up Black In Kentucky During the Civil Rights Movement. Wright will teach a class each semester at UK, and this coming fall, he will host a seminar called The Journey of Captured Africans to Enslavement in Haiti, Brazil, and the United States.
“In the spring of 2021, the seminar will focus on the Global Black-Freedom Struggle, with special emphasis on the lives of Ida B. Wells, Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Nelson Mandela,” he said. “Next summer, I am planning for my students to take a trip to South Africa for a study abroad course. The trip, originally slated for this year, had to be postponed because of COVID-19. Future summer programs include travel to Brazil.”
Wright received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in art in 1972 and 1974, respectively, from UK, both in history, and a doctoral degree in history from Duke University. He became the seventh president of Prairie View A&M University on August 15, 2003, and served in the role until June 2017.
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