In Memoriam: Beatrice Pitts Payne, 1909-2015

beatrice-pitts-payne-28_crpBeatrice Pitts Payne, the oldest living alumna of Bowie State University in Maryland, died on August 5. She was 106 years old. Her funeral was held at the Grace Presbyterian Church in Baltimore, where she had been a member for more than 80 years.

Payne graduated from what was then called Bowie Normal School in 1928. She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree at Morgan State University in Baltimore. She conducted graduate study at New York University and Johns Hopkins University. From 1942 to 1946, Payne served as director of the Bowie State alumni association.

Payne taught for two years in Carroll County schools and then taught for more than 36 years in the public school system of Baltimore County. For 25 years, Payne was both a teacher and a school principal. She retired in 1966.

Related Articles

1 COMMENT

  1. I remember Mrs. Pitts from Calverton heights when I was a child. She was always kind,a real class act.We had a great neighborhood in which 14 students became M.D., 2 dentist , 4 lawyers and 3 PH.D.’s within my age group now 55-65 age range. She was one of the educators in our neighborhood in west Baltimore.

    Larry S.Perry M.D. cardiologist

Leave a Reply

Get the JBHE Weekly Bulletin

Receive our weekly email newsletter delivered to your inbox

Latest News

California State University Sacramento Launches Black Honors College

Officially launching for the fall 2024 semester, the Black Honors College will support students from all backgrounds who study Black history, life, and culture by providing them with a specialized curriculum and mentoring opportunities.

Higher Education Gifts or Grants of Interest to African Americans

Here is this week’s news of grants or gifts to historically Black colleges and universities or for programs of particular interest to African Americans in higher education.

In Memoriam: Norman B. Anderson, 1955-2024

Dr. Anderson was the assistant vice president for research and academic affairs at Florida State University at the time of his death. He had an extensive career in clinical psychology, which led him to become the first African American chief executive officer of the American Psychological Association.

Georgia State University Launches Program to Support Black Women in Tech

While Black women account for roughly 29 percent of the Georgia State University undergradaute student body, they represent only 10 percent of the university's computer science majors and 18 percent of the computer information systems majors.

Featured Jobs