[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 149 (Tuesday, September 17, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1158-E1159]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     REMEMBERING WILBERT GREENFIELD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. STEVE COHEN

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 17, 2019

  Mr. COHEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today in praise of Dr. Wilbert 
Greenfield, the 10th President of Johnson C. Smith University in 
Charlotte, North Carolina as well as the 10th President of Virginia 
State University in Petersburg, Virginia. Dr. Greenfield passed away 
last month at the age of 86. As President of the historically black 
university from 1973 to 1982, Dr. Greenfield strengthened Johnson C. 
Smith by gaining the financial support of several government and 
community agencies, by creating an Honors Program and by developing an 
Archival Center for preserving the university's heritage. He garnered 
funds to build new dormitories, which had not been done for years. The 
University's Board of Trustees named Wilbert Greenfield Hall in his 
honor in 1984. While at Johnson C. Smith, Dr. Greenfield became a 
founding member of NAFEO, the National Association for Equal 
Opportunity In Higher Education and remained a member until his death. 
The City of Charlotte benefitted by having a growing Johnson C. Smith 
University on its west side thanks to Dr. Greenfield's efforts.
  After ten years of dedicated service at Johnson C. Smith, Dr. 
Greenfield accepted the position as President of Virginia State 
University, where he served from 1983 to 1988. During his presidency, 
the University experienced numerous academic strides. He instituted the 
expansion and renovation of the Hunter-McDaniel Science building as 
well as other academic buildings. Additionally, grant funds were 
secured for an agricultural research building. This vigorous initiative 
led to the revitalization of the Randolph Experimental Farm, which is 
located near the University's main campus. It is noted that one of Dr. 
Greenfield's proudest moments was bringing aquaculture (fish farming) 
to the Commonwealth of Virginia. Due to his legendary vision, VSU took 
the lead in Virginia as the pioneer in aquaculture. During his VSU 
tenure, Dr. Greenfield visited the White House under the Reagan and 
Bush Administrations to continue strategic initiatives to enhance 
higher education for minorities. In addition, Dr. Greenfield was named 
Educator of the Year in 1988 by the Phi Delta Kappa Fraternity, a 
worldwide organization with more than 150,000 members.
  Dr. Greenfield was born on July 18, 1933 in Seven Springs, North 
Carolina, and earned degrees from North Carolina Agricultural and 
Technical State College in Greensboro and was the fifth African 
American in this country to earn a PhD in Cardiac Physiology from the

[[Page E1159]]

University of Iowa-Iowa City. Dr. Greenfield began his academic career 
in 1967 as Professor, Chairman of the Department of Biology and 
Academic Dean at Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi where 
he taught NFL legend Walter Payton, among others. I wish to express my 
condolences to Dr. Greenfield's friends, former students and family, 
and especially to his son George whose technical expertise keeps my 
Congressional offices running smoothly. Dr. Greenfield will long be 
remembered in those places where he made such a profound impact and 
legacy.

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