Alumni in Literature

  • Dr. Daryl C. Dance

    A noted author of several books, including “From My People: 400 Years of African American Folklore”, as well as an anthology of African-American women's humor and a volume on folklore from contemporary Jamaicans. Dr. Daryl Dance, VSU Class of 1957 & 1963 has had two Ford Foundation fellowships, three Southern Fellowship Fund grants, two NEH grants, one Fulbright research grant, and others, and has presented approximately 50 papers at conferences. Dr. Dance is Professor Emerita at the University of Richmond.

  • Naomi Long Madgett

    Naomi Long Madgett, VSU Class of 1945, was a poet and English professor emeritus and a vital part of Detroit's cultural life. In 1949, her poem appeared in The Poetry of the Negro, 1746-1949 and in 1950, several of her poems were featured in American Literature by Negro Authors. In 1968, she was included in Ten: Anthology of Detroit Poets and she also joined the faculty at Eastern Michigan University where she wrote A Students Guide to Creative Writing. She edited the acclaimed "Adam of Ife: Black Women in Praise of Black Men" in 1992 and has been the recipient of many honors including 1993s American Book Award and the George Kent Award in 1995. Naomi was also named Detroit’s Poet Laureate by former Mayor Dennis Archer. There is an 82-minute documentary about her life and art titled StarbyStar: Naomi Long Madgett, Poet & Publisher by filmmaker David B. Schock, Ph.D. This documentary chronicles her journey, her struggles, and her achievements. In conversations with Naomi, we learn about the course of her life and the encouragement she received from Langston Hughes and others of the Harlem Renaissance.

  • Dr. Thomas D. Pawley III

    Dr. Thomas D. Pawley, III, VSU Class of 1937, is a pioneer in Theatre and is recognized as an educator, director, playwright, and historian. Dr. Pawley is Professsor Emeritus of Theatre and a former Dean of Arts and Sciences at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri. He built the Speech and Theatre Department at Lincoln where he taught for 40 years. He was one of the first African Americans to be accepted in the old American Theatre Association and distinguished ATA College of Fellows. Above all, Dr. Pawley was a leader in the National Association of Speech and Dramatic Arts (NADSA) and the HBCUs Summer Theatre Program. His book, The Black Teacher and the Dramatic Arts, ranks as one of the leading anthologies and scholarly dialogues in African-American Theatre. In 1952, he initiated one of the first college summer-theater programs for black students at Lincoln and, during his Lincoln tenure, directed 75 student plays. In 2011, Lincoln renamed its Langston Hughes Theater, in Martin Luther King Hall, as the Pawley Theater in his honor.

    His father was professor of English at VSU. During his tenure he coached the debating team and authored an english text book entitled A Modern Advanced English Grammar for Secondary Schools and Colleges in 1930. A street was named for him at the University in 1986.

  • Carl Weber

    With 14 New York Times bestselling novels under his belt and twenty-two novels in total, Carl Weber is considered one of the premiere African-American authors in the country. As the President, CEO and Publisher of Urban Books LLC, he has published more than 2500 hundred books and has grown his company into one of the largest African-American owned publishing companies in the world. Carl successfully ran a chain of Urban Knowledge bookstores and has now branched out into screen writing and has written and produced three of his bestselling novels (The Man in 3B, The Preacher’s Son, and The Choir Director) into independent films with his production company, Urban Books Media LLC.

VSU Women's LeadHERship Institute Announces National Conference For Women Leaders at HBCUs

VSU recently announced that its Women's LeadHERship Institute has curated a two-day national summit on Monday, June 24 and Tuesday, June 25 to refresh, applaud, and unite women leaders at Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

The conference's theme, "Women Leaders @ HBCUs Conference 2024 – Straightening Our Crowns to Cultivate Transformative Leaders: Unsung Heroines of HBCUs," will illuminate the transformative leadership and indomitable spirit of women trailblazers within HBCUs. Through collaboration, celebration, and candid dialogue, the goal is to inspire leaders of today and tomorrow to straighten their crowns and elevate the legacy of excellence and resilience inherent in the HBCU community.

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VSU Makes History As The First HBCU In The Country Selected To Host A General Election Presidential Debate

VSU has been chosen by the Commission on Presidential Debates to host a 2024 Presidential Debate.   

Virginia State University is proud to announce that it has been chosen by the Commission on Presidential Debates to host a 2024 Presidential Debate. This is a momentous occasion for VSU, as it is the first Historically Black College or University (HBCU) ever selected to host a General Election U.S. Presidential Debate. The debate, scheduled for October 1, 2024, is the second of three scheduled general election presidential debates.   

“We are honored and grateful to have been chosen as a host for a 2024 Presidential Debate,” said VSU President Dr. Makola M. Abdullah. “This is a historic moment for our university and for HBCUs nationwide. Our university mantra is “Greater Happens Here,” and we look forward to welcoming the candidates, the Commission on Presidential Debates, and the entire nation to the GREATER at VSU.” 

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VSU Alum, General (Ret) Dennis L. Via Appointed To The VSU Board of Visitors

Virginia State University Alum and retired Army General Dennis L. Via has been appointed to the VSU Board of Visitors. Governor Glenn Youngkin made the announcement on Friday, November 10.  Via is a native of Martinsville, VA. He attended Virginia State University in Petersburg, VA, where he graduated in May 1980 as a Distinguished Military Graduate and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Signal Corps.

He retired from the U.S. Army as a 4-Star General and is currently an executive vice president with Booz Allen Hamilton in McLean, Virginia. In this role, he leads firmwide corporate engagement in the Office of the CEO.

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Alumni Weekend 2024

VSU Alumni Weekend 2024 is scheduled for May 9 through 11, 2024 on the campus of VSU.  The VSU classes ending in 4 and 9 will be in reunion.  The Golden Class of 1974 will be celebrating their 50th year as a VSU graduate. 

Register Now

Become A VSU Class Coordinator

The VSU Class Coordinator Program comprises a loyal group of alumni representing their individual class years. Class Coordinators are considered University ambassadors who help build a strong connection between classmates and the University.
Class Coordinators are some of the most valuable volunteers for the University. Job requirements are simple: a minimal time commitment and the interest to keep in touch with VSU classmates and friends. Being a class coordinator is a great way to remain involved after graduation, and you can be as active as your schedule allows.
Class Coordinators work with the VSU Alumni Office to:
  • Communicate regularly with classmates via letters, calls, emails, or social networking Websites.
  • Keep classmates up-to-date on VSU events and news.
  • Encourage and increase participation in alumni activities such as regional events and reunions.
  • Brainstorm additional ways to keep your class connected.
  • Serve as a reunion planning committee member in your special reunion years.
  • Promote class giving and participation 
  • Provide the University of Institutional Advancement with updated contact information for classmates
If you want to become a class coordinator, please get in touch with the VSU Alumni Relations Office at (804) 524- 5045 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
(If you don't see your class year represented, please consider becoming a coordinator)



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