Henry Ponder
Henry Ponder | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 28, 1928 Wewoka, Oklahoma, US |
| Education | Langston University, BA Oklahoma State University, MA Ohio State University, PhD |
| Occupation | University President |
| Employer(s) | Benedict College Fisk University Talladega College Langston University National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO) |
| Organization | Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated |
| Predecessor | Benjamin F. Payton |
| Successor | Marshall C. Grigsby |
Henry Ponder, Ph.D. (born 1928) is an American educator and former university president. He was president of Benedict College, Fisk University, Talladega College, and Langston University. Over a career spanning more than six decades, Dr. Ponder's efforts increased educational opportunity for generations of young men and women, particularly students of color. Further, he holds a unique place in the history of higher education as the only person to serve as president of four Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), chair of member institutions of the United Negro College Fund, and CEO and president of the National Association of Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO), which is the lobby organization for all HBCUs, public and private.