The Awards Committee is proud to present the recipients of the 2008 National Alumni Awards.


Nelda Bynum
Chapter: Gate City Alumni
Class Year: 1945
Degree(s): BS, Elementary Education-NC A&T SU
MA, Early Childhood Education-NYU (1948)

Mrs. Nelda Scott Bynum, Class of 1945, is a lifelong educator and lifetime member of the Gate City Alumni Chapter. Mrs. Nelda Scott Bynum embodies the spirit of the Howard C. Barnhill Distinguished Service Award. Mrs. Bynum became active with the Gate City Chapter over 40 years ago. Since that time she has devoted her time, rendering outstanding service to significant initiatives of the Alumni Association and Aggie Club.

Mrs. Bynum has chaired and co-chaired several Mr. / Ms. Gate City contests, served on the Awards Committee, chaired the Community Service Committee, and compiled the first membership directory for the Gate City Chapter. She has also served and chaired the Social Committee several years. A lover and supporter of A&T Athletics, Mrs. Bynum is an active member of the Aggie Club, Greensboro Chapter. Extending her spirit of service to the Aggie Club, she serves on the Fundraising and Courtesy Committees.

At the University, Mrs. Bynum serves on the “Friends of School of Education” and received the School of Education Distinguished Service Award. Mrs. Bynum serves other non-profit, academic, professional and civic organizations, and is continually recognized for her dedication and contributions in those arenas and to the University and the Alumni Association.

Byron Simpson
Chapter: Greater Los Angeles
Class Year(s): 2001 and 2002
Degree(s): BS-Computer Science
MS-Computer Science

Mr. Byron Simpson, exemplifies the spirit of the Velma R. Speight Young Alumnus Award through his leadership, his community involvement, his civic duties, and through his career.

As the President of the Greater Los Angeles Chapter (GLA), Mr. Simpson established a formal structure and has implemented new and innovative initiatives to bring greater publicity and recognition to the chapter. He was also his chapter’s Parliamentarian and wrote the GLA Chapter Bylaws and Management Act.

Mr. Simpson’s service to the Association does not end at the local level. He led his chapter to host a regional (Geographical Region V) Recruitment Seminar during the Angel City Football Classic where he served as chairman and liaison for the ACC committee, Alumni Association, and Office of Admissions. He has also provided his time and talent to the Homecoming and Alumni Awards Sub-Committees.

Mr. Simpson’s career launched quickly after he graduated twice from NC A&T SU with BS and MS degrees in computer science. At the age of 24, while working for NASA, he was recognized as a Modern-Day Technology Leader. Mr. Simpson was honored for “...demonstrating outstanding performance and shaping the course of engineering, science, and technology in the future.”

Mr. Simpson has been called to become a southern Baptist church pastor. He plans to attend the Howard University School of Divinity and obtain Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees. He is currently a minister at Cornerstone Peaceful Bible Baptist Church in Upper Marlboro, MD.

Justice Henry Frye
Chapter: Gate City Alumni
Class Year: 1953
Degree(s): BS-Biological Sciences, Minors in Chemistry and Air Science; JD-University of North Carolina Law School (1959)

Justice Henry E. Frye, Class of 1953 and active member of the Gate City Chapter, epitomizes the spirit of the Julia Shivers Brooks Achievement Award. He is a pioneer in his field and a servant leader to his community and other constituencies in North Carolina and beyond. His stellar career is documented with many “firsts”. In 1968 he became the first African American elected to the NC House of Representatives; in 1983 Justice Frye was appointed to the NC Supreme Court making him the first African American to serve; and in 1999 he received the appointment of N.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice, making Henry E. Frye the first African American to serve as chief justice in the state’s history.

Justice Frye’s far reaching, powerful, and articulate leadership also extended to the military and banking industry. In the 1950’s, Justice Frye served two years in the United States Air Force and continued active duty as a reservist where he reached the rank of Captain. He founded Greensboro National Bank (now Mutual Community Savings Bank) where he served as president from 1971 until 1981.

Justice Frye serves leadership roles in many non-profit, academic, professional and civic organizations, and is continually recognized for his dedication and contributions to state and local communities. He was honored by the University in 1972 when he received the first NC A&T SU Alumni Excellence Award, the highest honor bestowed on an alumnus. He is a lifetime member of Gate City Alumni Chapter and a member of the Greensboro Aggie Club.

Justice Frye lives in Greensboro, NC with his wife Shirley Frye. Mrs, Frye is also a graduate of NC A&T SU.