Award

• Andrew Aheart, an 85-year-old professor of mathematics at West Virginia State University, will be given an honorary degree commemorating his 58 years on the university’s faculty. The trustees of the university voted unanimously to waive a rule which states that no faculty member can receive an honorary degree until three years after he or she retires from teaching.

Aheart is a graduate of Virginia Union University, the historically black educational institution in Richmond. He went on to Harvard University to win a master’s degree in mathematics. After serving in World War II, Aheart joined the faculty of West Virginia State University, which at that time was a predominantly black institution. Today, only 15 percent of the student body is black.

Throughout his 58 years on campus, Aheart has never missed a home football game and has attended every away football game since 1966. Aheart has accomplished this remarkable attendance record despite the fact that he had his left leg amputated 10 years ago.

Copyright © 2006. The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education. All rights reserved.