Dear A&T: The Honor and Meaning of the Alma Mater

“With joy, with joy, Dear A&T, thy 

students turn from thee to spread 

thy trophies year by year from Dare to Cherokee”. 

Refrain of “Dear A&T” – lyrics by Mrs. Susie B. Dudley 

“The college could not have been what it is today, nor could it have the broad base of unity and cohesion among students and graduates that it enjoys today, without Dear A. and T.” – President Emeritus Dr. Warmoth T. Gibbs, History of The North Carolina Agricultural and Technical College, 1966 

While attending convocations, commencements and other Aggie events, it can be easy to overlook the beauty and significance of “Dear A&T”, and just dismiss it as an old tradition. The lyrics of “Dear A&T” have not changed in nearly 115 years and it is still sung in a traditional reverent style. By definition an Alma Mater is a Latin phrase meaning “fostering mother,” or a statement that represents an institution. The college song endured itself so much to Aggies, that for many generations alumni referred to Aggieland as “Dear A&T” or “Dear Ole A&T.” Looking at the song in context of the time that it was written will show how Aggies have gone above and beyond to fulfill its meaning, and to hopefully regain a deeper appreciation for why we sing “Dear A&T”. 

“Dear A&T, Dear A&T, a monument indeed,  

Around thy base with grateful hearts  

behold thy students kneel.  

We bless the power that 
gave thee birth to help us in our need,  

We’ll ever strive while here on earth all loyalty to yield”. 

“Dear A. and M”, as it was originally titled, was written by First Lady Susan Wright Sampson “Susie B.” Dudley (c. 1852 – 1933) the wife of A&T’s 2^nd president Dr. James B. Dudley (1859-1925). Mrs. Dudley was a seasoned poet, newspaper contributor, teacher, and dramatist, who also taught in the college’s old preparatory department. It is lost to history when Susie B. Dudley wrote the alma mater when it was first performed, but the lyrics were published in the campus bulletins as early as May 1905. Music was added by Charles Edwin Stewart the new director of music around 1909.  

In the earliest days of A&T, a primary goal was to recruit rural and urban students from North Carolina counties to attend the college; or “From Dare” County on the east coast to the far western “Cherokee” County in the mountains. The old A&T College was uniquely positioned to do this as Greensboro was a transportation center for the state. Before most citizens had cars the railroads made it easy for new students to travel to the college, and for Aggies to provide outreach. Early college promotions claimed that 80 percent of African-Americans in the state lived in agricultural and rural communities. Yet, when they graduate from the college, they would not have to search far for skilled positions and could easily find success in agriculture and mechanics. The refrain “thy students turn from thee, to spread thy trophies, year by year, from Dare to Cherokee” represented a mission for faculty, staff and alumni, to take their achievements and learning from A&T and share them throughout the state.  

In the Dudley presidency (1896-1925) when the Alma Mater was penned, we see the roots of that outreach in many initiatives from the college. Some of the earliest graduates became faculty who would hold agricultural summer courses in farming throughout the state. A&T graduates like Neil A. Bailey ‘1908 and John D. Wray ‘1909 were the first of color to represent the United States Department of Agriculture in farm demonstration programs and agricultural clubs in NC. The first Dudley Building held an industrial museum were furniture and machines created by students could be displayed. President Dudley was a pioneer of debating in North Carolina schools. He sponsored a “Dudley Cup For Excellence” and the debates encouraged fellowship among African American schools in North Carolina.  

Before A&T was a championship institution in athletics, the performing arts were already spreading the news about the young college. Mrs. Dudley’s “Industrial Night” plays at the spring commencements beginning in 1898 were highly anticipated events for the Greensboro community. They dramatized achievements of the college and the progress of African Americans. Drama at A&T would change forever with the recruitment of Richard B. Harrison in 1922, who taught drama and elocution to hundreds of summer school teachers until 1930. 

After Charles E. Stewart was hired as director of music in 1909 he organized the university’s first quartet, glee club, and oversaw the student band. All A&T’s musical groups performed throughout the state in parades, festivals and inaugurations for NC governors. Beginning in 1918 W. E. Lew assembled the first marching band, that was rechristened the “Blue and Gold Marching Machine” decades later. Our marching band and the Richard B. Harrison Players remain outstanding demonstrators, and recruiters of Aggie Pride.  

“By precepts wise and deeds more sure to bless the state through thee;….” 

In her lifetime, Mrs. Dudley only had a foretaste of just how far the trophies of A&T would spread. There were very few international students at A&T in its first 40 years and many graduates worked in southern states or in areas or the Great Migration. Today A&T boasts of students and scholars from all over the world. The trophies and achievements now include Emmys, an Oscar, Gold and Bronze Olympic Medals, and positions in U.S Presidential Administrations. Going beyond recent memory, they also include a U.S. presidential contender, a NASA astronaut, representatives of Congress, the NC Supreme Court, newspaper publishers, and multitudes of teachers, civil rights activists, entrepreneurs, artists, physicians, and engineers. 

From the 2^nd verse Mrs. Dudley understood that more important than any statue or award, it is how we represent A&T with our lives: 

“She’d have the record of 

Her [A&T] worth on granite not inscribed 

Nay, let the children of her birth 

proclaim it by their lives”. 

Each time we as alumni enter our workplaces, our homes, places of worship, and communities we are sharing the great “signet” that North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University is “a monument indeed.” When we stand and sing “Dear A&T” together (or virtually) it is our communal opportunity to reaffirm what it means to be an Aggie with the oldest and most enduring expression of “AGGIE PRIDE!” As we reflect on the history of our alma mater, let us renew our love and appreciation of the words that have motivated and unified us for over 115 years. 

This article was made possible by research published by Dr. Albert W. Spruill ‘48, Juanita DaLomba Jones’ 36, M.S. ’50, Shavon Stewart ’2007, President Warmoth T. Gibbs, and the great alumni historian Evelyn M. Butler. Also, consulted were over 90 years of alumni memories recorded by staff of the A&T Register. For more about “Dear A&T” please visit our Alma Mater history page and our LibGuide on Susie B. Dudley. The archives house the James B. Dudley Collections and the Susie B. Dudley Collections. You may also contact the Archives and Special Collections at libraryarchives@ncat.edu.