Benjamin F. Payton
African-American academic administrator
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Benjamin F. Payton (December 27, 1932 - September 28, 2016) was an African-American academic administrator. He served as the president of two historically black universities: Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina from 1967 to 1972 and Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, Alabama from 1981 to 2010.
Benjamin F. Payton | |
|---|---|
| President of Tuskegee University | |
| In office 1981–2010 | |
| Preceded by | Luther H. Foster Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Charlotte P. Morris |
| President of Benedict College | |
| In office 1967–1972 | |
| Preceded by | John A. Bacoats |
| Succeeded by | Henry Ponder |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 27, 1932 |
| Died | September 28, 2016 (aged 83) Estero, Florida, U.S. |
| Alma mater | South Carolina State University Harvard University Columbia University Yale University |
Early life
Payton was born on December 27, 1932, in Orangeburg, South Carolina.[1][2] He had a brother Dr. Cecil W. Payton who later worked as executive assistant to the president of Morgan State University.[2]
Payton graduated from South Carolina State University, where he earned a bachelor's degree, followed by another bachelor's degree from Harvard University, a master's degree from Columbia University and a PhD from Yale University.[1][2]
Career
Payton served as the president of Benedict College from 1967 to 1972.[3] He worked for the Ford Foundation for the next nine years.[1]
Payton served as the president of Tuskegee University from 1981 to 2010.[1] During his tenure, he raised $240 million.[2] His other accomplishments included "creating five colleges, launching the school's first doctoral programs, a continuing education program and centers for aerospace science and health education."[2] It was also thanks to his leadership that President Bill Clinton issued an apology to the university for the Tuskegee syphilis experiment in 1997.[4]
Payton served on the boards of directors of AmSouth Bancorporation ITT Inc., the Liberty Corporation, Praxair, and Ruby Tuesday.[5]
Payton was a charter member of the Epsilon Nu Boulé chapter of Sigma Pi Phi in Naples, Florida.[2]
