Mr.  Clarence V. Knight was born in Halifax County, NC and graduated from Henderson Institute in 1936. He went on to earn his Bachelors of Science Degree from Hampton Institute University in 1940 and his Masters of Science Degree from Penn State College in the late 50’s. After receiving his degrees, he worked for a brief period as a Teacher and High School Coach in North Wilkesboro, NC.  Mr. Knight was then drafted into the Armed Service in 1942. During World War II, he served in an all-Black Unit at Tuskegee Air Force Base in Tuskegee Alabama. In 1943 his unit, the 689^th Air Craft Warning Company, was shipped overseas and assigned to the 13^th Air Force, where he obtained the rank of Chief Warrant Officer.

After his Military tour, he was hired by Henderson Institute and served in several lead capacities including; teacher, girls’ basketball coach, counselor, dean of boys, assistant principal and ultimately, principal of Henderson Institute. Mr. Knight was actually the last principal of Henderson Institute before the school was integrated in 1970. He was respected by everyone and in an endearing manner, was referred to as “BOSS KNIGHT” by both students and faculty. He retired from Vance County School System in 1979 and was later employed by Kittrell Job Corp as lead instructor for Basic Education. He retired from that program in 1986. Another very admiral quality of Mr. Knight worth noting is, during the lean years of the late 30’s and early 40’s, he took on the responsibility of helping his mother guide his younger siblings toward productive careers.

Mr. Knight was a member of Cotton Memorial United Presbyterian Church where he served as Sunday School Teacher, Member of their various choirs, Elder, Church Scout Master, and Director of Christian Education. Boss Knight was a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, where he served as local Basileus, The Masonic Lodge, The Eastern Star, and was named “Man of the Year in 1983 by the Pride of Vance Lodge and Pride of Honor Temple. The Governor of North Carolina, James B. Hunt conferred upon him “The Order of the Long Leaf Pine” in June 1983 with the rank of “Ambassador Extraordinary”.

He was an inspiration to many of his former students and they often visited him to share their success stories. As such, he received countless awards from HI student in appreciation of his outstanding service and excellent teaching style. 

Several of his other affiliations included;  Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Light Housing Project, Member of the Vance County Black Leadership Caucus, Active member of the local NAACP and the National Hampton Association. He also served for many years as President of the Vance, Granville, and Warren Alumni Chapter of the Henderson Institute Graduate and Former Students Association and was also elected to the Vance County Board of County Commissioners.

Mr. Robert Bogan is a Henderson Institute graduate of the class of 1957.  While at Henderson Institute Mr. Bogan participated in many activities, he played football and basketball, he was editor of the Annual staff. Mr. Bogan was president of the Crown and Scepter Club, a North Carolina High School Honorary Club confined to 11th and 12th grade high school students, president of the Bible Drafting Club. Mr. Bogan was also a member of the Executive Committee, Student Council, Monitorial Staff and the National
Honor Society. Below is a Video created by his church, Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia during their 2025 Black History Month.