Honors

Clarence V Knight Profile (Boss Knight)

Posted on by Chris Culpepper

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 689th Air Craft Warning Company, was shipped overseas and assigned to the 13th 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.

Robert Bogan’s Life Story

Posted on by Chris Culpepper

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.

Ruth Burt

Posted on by Chris Culpepper

Ruth Corina “Rina” Burt was born April 12, 1921, in Vance County, North Carolina. Her early education began  at the Episcopal Church School and continued at Henderson Central Graded School . She graduated from  Henderson Institute in 1936 and from Winston Salem Teacher’s College in 1942. She also did further study at  North Carolina Central University.  

Ruth retired from teaching after 30 years of service. During her teaching career, she was active in educational  professional organizations. On the local level, she became the first president of the Vance County Unit of the  North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE) and served as President of the Association of Classroom  Teachers and chairman of the Legislative Committee. On the District Level of the NCAE, she served as Secretary,  Vice President, and President, and on the state level, she was elected to the Board of Directors and served on the  Finance and Personnel Committee. She remained an active member of the Vance County Retired Teachers  Association until her health failed.  

Ruth Burt believed in helping others. Her beliefs were evidenced by her participation in several community  organizations. She served on the Vance County Youth Services Advisory Council for 11 years and on the Board  of Friends of Youth, and she was recognized by Gov. Hunt for her service to youth in the community. The Vance  County Commissioners selected her to serve on the Vance County Social Services Board and she was elected  Board chair for 2 years. She was a member of the Board of Area Christians together in Service (ACTS) for three  years and The United Way for six. Ruth was the first African American to serve as Chair of the United Way. She  was also a member of the Vance County Housing authority; and was a member of Shiloh Baptist Church for over  75 years.  

Of all her community activities, nothing was closer to Ruth Burt’s heart than Henderson Institute. She served as  National President of the Alumni Association, Executive Committee member, member of the Board of Directors  and Chairman of the Board Directors. However, the highlight of her years with Henderson Institute was the  eighteen years (1990-2009) she served as the Director of the Henderson Institute Historical Museum. Under her  leadership, the Henderson Institute Historical Museum was listed by the federal government on the National  Registry of Historic Places.  

Early in her tenure, Ruth realized that opening the Museum at a scheduled time was non-productive, few people  visited. As a result, the Museum Committee decided to open the Museum by appointment. When a tour request  was received, it was usually accommodated within 24 hours and sometimes that day. She was always by herself,  yet she had no fear. She believed that anyone coming to the Museum came with good intentions. One night she  stayed at the museum until 1:00 am, so that a working mother, who she did know, could complete a report about  HI for her class at North Carolina Central. Ruth also spent several days and evenings at the Museum with another  North Carolina Central student as she researched her master’s thesis, “The History of Henderson Institute.”

While visiting the Museum, a staff member from the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources  recommended that Henderson Institute establish an obituary file of Vance County African Americans. Obituaries  often contain family and birth information that is sometimes difficult to establish through legal records. Ruth  solicited the membership and local funeral homes to help her create it. Several people were successful in finding  the information that they needed by searching the file.  

Ruth Burt’s service to the community and to Henderson Institute did not go unnoticed. In 2005 she was  recognized by the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce as Vance County Outstanding Citizen of the Year.  She was noted for her contributions to the well-being of Vance County’s citizens and her leadership at Henderson  Institute.  

Ruth Burt passed April 27, 2015. During her funeral, the minister shared that he had visited Ruth as she began  her earthly transition. She had three concerns, one of which was the direction of the leadership of Henderson  Institute. She wanted the Association to thrive, even as she faced death.

Testimonials in honor of Ruth C. Burt