1. What is your name, graduation year, degree earned at Westminster along with any other further degrees?
Byron Bagby, 1978, Economics. I later earned a Master’s Degree from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Lincoln College.
2. Why did you choose to attend Westminster? What made the school stand out to you?
I had applied to two or three schools. My mom worked for the president of William Woods College (now University). He asked me one day where I had planned to go to college. I told him the schools to which I had applied. He responded, “What about Westminster?" I hadn’t thought about even applying to Westminster. I applied, was accepted, graduated four years later, and the rest was history.
Having said that, being a Fulton native, Westminster has always stood out to me. I watched the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Aldermanbury being rebuilt, brick by brick when it was moved from London to Fulton in the late 1960s. I did then and still have an appreciation for historic sites and regions of the world.
3. What activities, sports, and/or organizations were you involved in during your time on campus?
I was on the Westminster Blue Jay Track Team during my studentship. I was also in Army ROTC.
4. Overall, how was your experience at Westminster? Do you have any specific memories you want to share?
The academic experience was first-rate and better than I could have had at most other institutions of higher learning.
One set of memories I have is walking by 1) the historic gym – knowing that Sir Winston Churchill delivered the “Sinews of Peace” speech there, better known as the “Iron Curtain Speech,” and 2) the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Aldermanbury. Joining the military during the Cold War, having served a 33-year military career, and having traveled to almost every country in Europe (including Russia and many former Soviet Union countries), I gained a comprehensive appreciation for the Cold War and the warning Sir Winston Churchill delivered to the world in 1946. On a family vacation to Great Britain during Christmas 2010, I found the original location of the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Aldermanbury in downtown London.
5. In your opinion, how did Westminster set you up for success later on in life?
Westminster helped enhance my success as an Army officer by having an extremely small African American student population. To my recollection, at one time during my studentship at Westminster, we had only ten African American students. As I advanced in rank and responsibility in the Army, there were fewer and fewer officers of color in my peer group, in meetings that I attended and with whom I had to coordinate. The phrase “being the only one in the room” became more common as I rose in rank in the military. That environment could have caused anxiety for me had I not experienced a similar environment at Westminster.
6. With Westminster College being a predominately white institution, were there any times when you felt outcasted or felt separated from your peers? Explain. Were you able to overcome this? If so, how?
Absolutely! In the mid-1970’s, not only was Westminster 85% Greek (meaning most of the student body belonged to fraternities), my opinion is Westminster was a school for rich students. I did not join a fraternity and my family wasn’t rich. I overcame this in two ways. First, by relying on the support group of my Fulton family and friends. And two, by becoming more involved in track and Army ROTC.
7. Did you ever feel like you were treated differently in the community of Fulton on account of your race?
Keep in mind that I am from Fulton. I went to segregated schools until I was in the sixth grade (1967) when the elementary schools were de-segregated. I was well familiar with the racial climate in Fulton.
8. What is the significance of a program like the Black Alumni Mentor Program? How does a program like this benefit Black students at Westminster College?
The Black Alumni Mentorship Program (BAMP) has a lot of potential to help Black students at Westminster College. It demonstrates the College is trying to create a more supportive student experience for Black students.
9. What accomplishments have you achieved since you graduated from Westminster?
I was presented with the Westminster College Lifetime Alumni Achievement Award and inducted into the Fulton Public Schools Hall of Fame. I served what many would consider a very successful career in the United States Army, having held positions of significant responsibility and transitioned off active duty at the rank of Major General. I have been told that I’m the highest-ranking military officer to earn a commission from the Army ROTC program at Westminster.
10. What steps would you like to see Westminster College take in the future when it comes to race and higher education?
The establishment of the BAMP is certainly a step in the right direction. I’m not sure if this desire still exists, but several years ago Black students expressed a desire to have traditionally Black Greek Letter Organizations (BGLO) available for which they could seek membership. The potential low number of interested students would most likely limit the offerings to only one traditionally Black Greek sorority and one fraternity. If there is still a desire for BGLOs, having these offerings would certainly be a huge move for Westminster in demonstrating inclusivity.