TWENTY-FIRST GENERAL PRESIDENT (1915-2001) n Tuesday, July 24, 2001, Alpha Brothers from across the country gathered in Gainesville, Florida at the Milam Chapel to induct the Twenty-First General President into Omega Chapter. General President Johnson presided over the Omega Service with participation from the past living General Presidents. Thomas Winston Cole, Sr. was born in 1915 in Navasota, Texas to the late Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Cole. He was educated at Wiley College where he graduated with a B.S. degree in 1934 and the University of Wisconsin where he earned a master's degree in 1948. At the University of Texas, Brother Cole received his Ed.D. in 1955, the first AfricanAmerican to be awarded the degree at the university. His dissertation was written in the area of Educational Administration on the subject "Duties of Academic Deans in Selected Methodist Church Related Colleges." He also became the first of his race to be a member of the Mu Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa Fraternity.
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His memberships were numerous and have included the Phi Delta Kappa Honorary Education Fraternity; American Association on Higher Education; National Association of Schools and Colleges of the Methodist Church, and the American Association of Colleges. Brother Cole found time for the Boy Scouts of America; he served as a Steward at the Ebenezer Methodist Church; a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Beta Xi Boule of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity. In Gainesville, he joined the First United Methodist Church and was an active member of the Administrative Board; the Gainesville Chapter of the Torch Club Internationa] and the Rotary Club. Brother Cole was also a member of President Nixon's Presidential Scholars. In 1962, Brother T.Winston Cole was elected the 21st General President, succeeding Brother Dr. William Hale. When Brother Cole was elected, he became the second person to be designated President Elect of the Fraternity. Taking office in 1963, his platform was based on a stronger link between undergraduates and graduate chapter participation; more effective national participation of undergraduate chapter membership, more meaningful role for the national organization in national and international understanding, membership in the National Fraternity Council, and continued evaluation of the national program to meet the demands of full citizenship; and continued participation in voter registration.
Following graduation, T. Winston Cole Funeral Participants. Brother Cole was Principal of the Washington High School in Vernon, Texas from 1934 to 1944; and principal of the Washington Elementary School in Bryan, Texas, from 1944 -1950. From 1950 - 1958, Brother Cole served as Registrar, Dean of Instruction of Wiley College in Marshall, Texas, until he was named President in July of 1958, becoming the first alumnus of the college to serve in that capacity. Brother Cole was also thefirstwho was not a minister. Brother Cole joined During President Cole's the University of Florida in administration the Alpha semiGainesville, Florida, as Assistant nars were instituted at the Dean of Academic Affairs and General Convention, referred to was later promoted to Dean for T.Winston Cole III. General President Hart}'Johnson and T. Winston Coleji as a "bold new format." Instructional Services during According to General the 1970's. President Cole, "These semiBrother T. Winston Cole was initiated into the Alpha nars were designed to secure the thinking of the membership Sigma Chapter at Wiley College in Marshall, Texas, in 1932. on current problems and future preparations to be crystallized During his college days he was Secretary and President of the into the Alpha platform." chapter. Other chapter memberships included Gamma Upsilon Cole was married to the late Mrs. Eva M. Sharpe, who Lambda Chapter (1950-1959) where he served as President was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. They were the and was former Vice President of the Southwestern Region parents of four children: JoAnn, Thomas, Jr. (an Alpha and from 1959-1961. When he moved to Gainesville in 1971, he President of Clark Atlanta University); Patricia and Eva. transferred his membership to Epsilon Pi Lambda Chapter. ALPHA ATTITUDE: A FORWARD STEP...INTO T H E FUTURE
THE SPHINX速 SUMMER 2001