| The UNC School of Law gathered a distinguished crowd of more than 100 lawyers and jurists, faculty and students last month for a special occasion: The unveiling of a portrait of Henry Frye in its Graham Kenan Courtroom.
Frye is a man who needs no introduction at N.C. A&T or the law school. One of A&T’s most accomplished graduates, he became the first African American to complete three full years of legal study and earn a law degree at UNC.
He was the first African American in the 20th century to serve in the North Carolina General Assembly, the first appointed to the state Supreme Court and first to serve as the court’s chief justice.
The portrait is the gift of the Class of 2013 to honor Frye’s legacy and inspire future students.
"He is one of UNC Law's brightest stars," says Jeremy Collins, class president. "He's a trailblazer."
N.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Martin spoke at the event. Also present were Sarah Parker, former chief justice of the N.C. Supreme Court; several current and former justices; and UNC Chancellor Carol Folt.
“Thank you very much to all of you, to the class of 2013, to the leadership first and to the rest of the class,” Frye said. “And to all of those who in any way supported this, I'm very grateful and humbled by it.”
Dean John Charles “Jack” Boger expressed his appreciation of Frye and the impact of his career.
“We are immensely proud to claim you, Chief Justice Frye, as our alumnus,” he said. “You have given us, given the state, much already. But we want still more. We want you as a perpetual presence for our students.”
Photo information:
Left to right: Jeremy Collins, Henry Frye, Mark Martin, chief justice of the N.C. Supreme Court and Jack Boger
Photo by Donn Young, courtesy of UNC School of Law |
