List of Albany State University people

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by editing the page to add missing items, with references to reliable sources.

This is a list of notable alumni which includes graduates, non-graduate former students of Albany State University. It also reflects those alumni who attended and/or graduated from the institution under its prior historical names.

Albany State University is a public historically black university in Albany, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1903, it is part of the University System of Georgia and offers undergraduate and graduate programs across a range of disciplines, including education, business, and the sciences. The university is a member of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Notable alumni

Name Class year Notability References Alice Coachman 1949 The first African-American woman to win an Olympic gold medal and the only American woman to win a gold medal in the 1948 Games [1] William L. Dawson (politician) 1905 U.S. Representative from Illinois (1943–1970) and the first African American to chair a congressional committee, Dawson was a pioneering political leader who helped shape civil rights legislation and elevate African American representation in Congress. [2] Patricia A. Edwards 1970 Internationally recognized literacy scholar; Distinguished Professor of Language & Literacy at Michigan State; first African American president of the International Literacy Association [3] A. Zachary Faison Jr. 2002 30th President and CEO of Edward Waters University. He previously served as General Counsel and Vice President of External Affairs at Tuskegee University [4] Kenneth Gant Former professional football player who played as a safety in the NFL for the Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Drafted in the 9th round of the 1990 NFL Draft, Gant was part of the Cowboys' Super Bowl XXVII and XXVIII championship teams. [5] Art Green Former professional football player; played in the NFL and CFL after a distinguished career at Albany State University, where he earned All-SIAC honors and was a leading rusher for the Golden Rams. [6] Shaun R. Harper 1998 Author and leading scholar on racial equality in higher education; professor, founder and former Executive Director of the Center for the Study of Race and Equality in Education at the University of Pennsylvania. Founder and executive director of USC Race and Equity Center at the University of Southern California [7] Big James Henderson 1984–1986 Former Powerlifter who competed in the International Powerlifting Federation and won five world bench press titles; offensive lineman for the 1985 SIAC Conference Championship football team [8] Alfred C. Johnson 1979 Molecular biologist, Deputy Director and senior leader at the National Institutes of Health, recognized for advancing biomedical research management and promoting diversity in the scientific community. [9] Caldwell Jones, Charles Jones, Major Jones, and Wil Jones Four brothers who all played professional basketball in the NBA and ABA from the 1970s to the 1990s, making them one of the most prominent sets of siblings in basketball history. [10] Dan Land Former professional football player; was a standout running back for Albany State University, earned All-SIAC honors, and played in the NFL for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders. [11] Jo Marie Payton 1972 Actress and singer best known for her role as Harriette Winslow on the ABC/CBS sitcom Family Matters and its predecessor Perfect Strangers ; also appeared in numerous television and stage productions. [12] Bernice Johnson Reagon Singer, composer, scholar, and social activist; Professor Emeritus of History at American University in Washington, DC; Curator Emeritus at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History in Washington, DC; 2002–04 Cosby Chair Professor of Fine Arts at Spelman College in Atlanta Georgia [13] Rick Ross Grammy award-winning rapper and former Albany State University football player, also known for his business ventures including involvement in the Wingstop franchise. [14] Shirley Sherrod 1970 Civil rights advocate, former Georgia State Director of Rural Development for the United States Department of Agriculture, co-founded the Southwest Georgia Project and New Communities, Inc., organizations dedicated to supporting Black farmers and fighting land loss due to discriminatory practices. [15] Maretta Mitchell Taylor 1957 Educator and legislator; first African American woman elected to Georgia House District 94; served 1990–2002 [16]

Notable faculty and administrators

• Horace Clarence Boyer – Gospel music scholar; taught music theory and African‑American studies at Albany State College; University of Massachusetts professor and Smithsonian curator. ^[17]
• Dorothy Cowser Yancy – History instructor at Albany State College (1965–1967); later became first African American full professor at Georgia Tech and president of two HBCUs. ^[18]
• Rachel Eubanks – Composer and pianist; headed the music department at Albany State College; earned degrees from UC Berkeley, Columbia University, and Pacific Western University. ^[19]
• Joseph Winthrop Holley – Founder and first president of Albany State University (1903–1943). ^[20]
• Elmer Imes – Physicist; taught mathematics and physics at Georgia Normal & Agricultural Institute (Now Albany State University); second African American to earn a Ph.D. in physics and a pioneer of molecular spectroscopy. ^[21]
• Robert Owens (composer) – Composer and pianist; taught music at Albany State College (1957–1959); set Langston Hughes’ poetry to music and later gained international recognition as a composer and actor. ^[22]
• Jeanne L. Noble – Albany native; taught at Albany State College before becoming a pioneering educator, author, and professor who advised multiple U.S. presidents. ^[23]
• Anne Pruitt-Logan – Ceramic artist and educator; served as an art professor at Albany State University in the 1960s. ^[24]
• Mamie B. Reese – Associate Professor Emerita of Education; Dean of Women and faculty member at Albany State University from 1948 to 1973. ^[25]
• Charles Sherrod – Co‑founder of the Albany Movement; longtime Albany State instructor. ^[26]
• Portia Holmes Shields – 7th Albany State University President (1996–2005); interim President of Tennessee State University (2011–12). ^[27]
• Howard Emery Wright – Social psychologist and educator; served as principal of Albany State's Campus Laboratory School (1933–1934) and later held academic leadership roles including President of Allen University and Director of Social Sciences at Hampton Institute. ^[28]

References

1. "Biography of Alice Coachman". Archived from the original on February 2, 2011.
2. "William L. Dawson – Biographical Directory of the U.S. House of Representatives". U.S. House History, Art & Archives. Retrieved 2025-07-18.
3. "Patricia A. Edwards named AERA Fellow". Michigan State University College of Education. Retrieved 2025-07-18.
4. "ASU alumnus A. Zachary Faison Jr. selected as president and CEO of Edward Waters College". Albany State University. 2018-04-23. Retrieved 2025-07-19.
5. "NFL Players who attended Albany State University". databaseSports.com. Archived from the original on March 7, 2008. Retrieved 2008-02-06.
6. "Art Green Stats" . Retrieved 2025-10-05.
7. "RESEARCHERS AND STAFF - Director - Shaun R. Harper, Ph.D." Center for the Study of Race & Equity in Education. University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education. Archived from the original on 2013-02-05. Retrieved 2020-08-28.
8. "Big James Henderson Bio". Archived from the original on September 22, 2008. Retrieved January 1, 2009.
9. "Alfred C. Johnson, Ph.D. – NIH Intramural Research Program Profile". National Institutes of Health. Retrieved 2025-07-18.
10. "NBA/ABA Players who attended Albany State University". Basketballreference.com. databaseSports.com. Archived from the original on February 21, 2008. Retrieved 2008-02-06.
11. "Dan Land Stats" . Retrieved 2025-10-05.
12. "Jo Marie Payton – IMDb" . Retrieved 2025-10-06.
13. "Bernice Johnson Reagon:Scholarship:2006 bio statement". bernicejohnsonreagon.com. songtalk publishing. Archived from the original on March 3, 2008. Retrieved February 7, 2008.
14. "Rapper Rick Ross talks The U, his HS football career". 247Sports. 2019-07-25. Retrieved 2025-07-19.
15. "Sherrod encourages grads to end racism" . Retrieved 2010-12-30.^{[ dead link ]}
16. "Maretta Mitchell Taylor". Green Acres Cemetery. Retrieved 2025-07-18.
17. "Horace Clarence Boyer Biography" . Retrieved 2025-10-05.
18. "Dorothy Cowser Yancy's Biography" . Retrieved 2025-10-05.
19. "Rachel Eubanks, 83; Music Teacher Set High Standards for Her Students" . Retrieved 2025-10-05.
20. "Honoring Dr. Joseph Winthrop Holley on Founder's Day" . Retrieved 2025-10-05.
21. "Elmer Samuel Imes (1883-1941)" . Retrieved 2025-10-05.
22. "Robert Owens Biography" . Retrieved 2025-10-05.
23. "Jeanne L. Noble Biography" . Retrieved 2025-10-05.
24. "ANNE PRUITT-LOGAN" . Retrieved 2025-10-05.
25. "Mamie B. Reese" . Retrieved 2025-10-05.
26. "Charles Sherrod" . Retrieved 2025-10-05.
27. "Portia Holmes Shields" . Retrieved 2025-10-05.
28. "Howard Emery Wright Biography" . Retrieved 2025-10-05.