N.C. A&T Alumna Celebrates Nearly 51 Years as a Professor at Aggieland
Growing up in Green Level, North Carolina, Etta Gravely, Ph.D., ‘68 was determined to go to college as a first-generation student when she attended Howard University, in Washington, D.C. for undergraduate. However, she could never imagine the impact she would make as a chemistry professor for 50 years at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.
In 1956, Gravely met her husband, Clinton Gravely, at Howard University. After they graduated in 1960, the couple relocated to Greensboro, North Carolina, where he became an architectural firm owner, to start a life together.
“Once my husband and I settled back in Greensboro, I found it hard to get a job as a chemist because companies at that time were only hiring men and I decided to go to North Carolina A&T to obtain my teaching license,” said Gravely.
From 1962 to 1966, Gravely taught chemistry at James B. Dudley High School and was offered a chemistry fellowship for one year at N.C. A&T. In 1967, she received her master’s degree in education, and in 1968 she received a master’s degree in chemistry, both from A&T.
From 1968 to 1969, Gravely worked as a teacher at Dudley High School and left at the end of the school year to start a family. In 1972, she was hired by A&T’s chemistry department chair, Walter Sullivan, Ph.D., to teach physical science.
For nearly 51 years, Gravely has been an associate professor at A&T and has participated in activities at every level as a state employee – from supporting annual giving campaigns and serving on the Faculty and Staff Senate to supporting fellowships and extended education opportunities.
“A&T has gone through tremendous changes and continues to soar to new heights with our aspirations of becoming R1 status,” she said. “Even the caliber of students over the years have changed from the size of enrollment, demographics and their eagerness to be the best. I am thrilled to work with students and work at A&T.
“For years, I have instilled in my students an ‘I can’ attitude: If you think you can do it, you can do it.”
Gravely credits the support of Edward B. Fort, who served as Chancellor from 1981 to 1999, and Sullivan for encouraging her to apply for a doctoral study award in 1981. The award funded her doctorate in curriculum and instruction from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 1982.
“A&T taught me how to be persistent and to always excel at anything I set my mind to do,” she said. “Working on this campus for 51 years, (it) is evident that growth is possible and achievable for any institution.”
When Gravely is not working at A&T, she is active in her local graduate chapter, the Beta Iota Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., The Greensboro Chapter of the Links, Inc., Greensboro Associates Chapter of Jack & Jill of America, Inc., Central North Carolina Section of the American Chemical Society, Shiloh Baptist Church and being a loving wife, mother, and grandmother.
13 Comments
Mary Speight
Etta congratulations on your retirement from A&T. We thank God that you have done so well over the years as a teacher, counselor, and encourager. You encouraged so many of your family members from Green Level to go beyond high school. As a younger member of the family, five years younger, I was so proud of you and your accomplishments as a professor on the campus of A&T. Enjoy your retirement, family and grandchildren.
Mary Carter Speight
Rev. Mia Butler, '13,'15, and 2020
Dr. Gravely made the subject of CHEMISTRY very interesting when I learned under her guidance in 2011. She serves as a mentor to all who strive to excell in their respected professions. I serve as a Licensed Funeral Director & Embalmer for over 30 years.
AGGIES DO!!!
Rev. Mia J. Butler
Sandra Williams
Congratulations Dr. Gravely! It is so enlightening to hear of your years of service and commitment to others. AGGIE PRIDE, from 1992 chemistry graduate student.
Paul Hardy
Wow, what an awesome story. Great to have good people like Dr. Gravely developing students for the future.
Nikia D. Muller, Ph.D.
I knew Chemistry would be challenging for me, but in 1994, Dr. Gravely made the experience less of a struggle. It is absolutely wonderful to see she is still in the academic space after a stellar career. Continued blessings to my fellow Link & Jack and Jill Sister!
Dr. N. Muller
Class of 1996
James H. Lone Jr.
Congratulations Dr. Gravely. It’s been 30 years and I still remember some of your lessons. Though I was an average student at best in your class your encouragement gave me the boost I needed to be successful in school and life. Thank you!
Brenda Hampton
Etta congratulations! You have always been a guiding star in my life since a little girl in Green Level. The accolades you’ve received are well deserved.
May God continue to bless you and direct your path. Love to you cousin.
Brenda
Terry Wayne Whitfield
Wow! A favorite time during my 1979 freshman year, was in Dr. Gravely’s Physical Science class.
Sunny Gravely Foushee
So proud to call this incredibly brilliant, outspoken and loving woman is my mom. She had been a catalyst of success, and taught people what hard work looks like. Just want to thank her for being who she is……an amazing woman.
Margaret Woodson
Congratulations on your retirement. Thank you for your service to A&T, serving as a professional standard for us to emulate.
Elrico Harris
Congratulations 🎈🎉🍾. So very proud of you. Excellence is all that you are to us. You have blessed us all. We love ❤️ you always.
Vincent Childress
Dr. G, I really admire you, and I’ve enjoyed working with you over my 27 years. Thanks for what you have done for the University and generations of students over the years, so far.
With Love and Admiration
Vince
Edwin M.White III
As a member of the Class of 1967 at James Benson Dudley we had the honor of Dr.Gravely getting her start in the Education field( the Sciences) at our illustrious high school. Congrats on your retirement.