Ferdinand D. Bluford
| Dr. Ferdinand Douglass Bluford | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| 3rd President of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University | |
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In office 1922–1955 |
|
| Preceded by | James B. Dudley |
| Succeeded by | Warmoth T. Gibbs |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
August 4, 1882 Capahosic, Gloucester County, Virginia |
| Died | December 21, 1955 (aged 73) Greensboro, Guilford County, North Carolina |
| Spouse(s) | Hazel K Diffay Bluford |
| Residence | The Oaks Greensboro, North Carolina |
| Alma mater |
Virginia Union University Howard University |
| Profession | Educator |
Ferdinand Douglass Bluford (4 August 1882 – 21 December 1955) was an American educator, and the third president of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. Bluford headed the college for 30 years, serving longer than any president or chancellor in the school's history.
Ferdinand D. Bluford was born on August 4, 1882 in Capahosic, Virginia to P. and Alice Bluford. He completed elementary school in 1900 and attended high school at Wayland Academy in Richmond, Virginia. Bluford would later go on to attend college at Virginia Union University where he was ranked as one of the three best students in his class. After graduating from Virginia Union University in 1908, Bluford would receive a Bachelor of Pedagogy degree from Howard University in 1909.
Bluford taught at the A&M College in Normal, Kentucky, in addition to Kentucky State College, and the now defunct Saint Paul Normal and Industrial School in Lawrenceville, Virginia. Before assuming the title of president of North Carolina A&T, Bluford was a professor of English for six years, dean and vice president. He was appointed acting president after the death of his predecessor, Dr. James B. Dudley in 1925; and was chosen unanimously by members of the Board of Trustees as president on June 13, 1925. Under Bluford’s guidance, A&T was raised from a "D" class college in 1927 to an "A" class institution in 1932 by the North Carolina Department of Education. By 1955, the campus had grown to 110 acres (0.45 km2), the farm land reached a total of 672 acres (2.72 km2) and the property value of the 35 campus buildings was $12 million. During Bluford's administration, the Graduate School and the Schools of Agriculture, Education, General Studies, Engineering, and Nursing were established as well as the Technical Institute.
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