N.C. A&T Alumni Times - September 24

The Greensboro (North Carolina) Graduate Chapter of Groove Phi Groove Social Fellowship Inc. has achieved a milestone by endowing a $25,000 scholarship in honor of two of their members, Nathan “Pedro” Pettus '70' and Ralph Johnson '78. The scholarship was established to honor the two men who believed in giving back to their alma mater, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and the community.

“It was a simple philosophy for the members of Groove Phi Groove to establish this scholarship in our brothers’ name because we all agree we wouldn’t be where we are today without North Carolina A&T,” said Roy “Spaceman” Thompson ‘68, member of Groove Phi Groove. “These two men exemplified the meaning of giving back and we wanted to create an opportunity for the average student who may not always receive financial support.”

Pettus was born March 25, 1943, in Philadelphia, where he graduated from Thomas Edison High School in 1962. He later attended A&T on an athletic scholarship for basketball and earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education in 1970. He also received his master’s degree in administration from Antioch University in 1982.

As an educator in the Philadelphia Public School System, Pettus wore many hats as a teacher, coach, vice principal and principal. After he retired from education, he mentored new principals and administrators.

Pettus was known for encouraging other Aggies to support A&T financially and led by example by donating to various scholarship funds and foundations to support students. He passed away on Sept. 27, 2009 in Philadelphia.

Johnson was born Dec. 17, 1953, in New York City and graduated from A&T with a degree in business administration in 1978. For more than 40 years, he lived in Greensboro, where he was involved in the community as co-chairman of the Concerned Citizens of Northeast Greensboro, member of the Greensboro Zoning Commission and Friends of the Library Board, and founding member of Eastside Civitan Club. He was also a former vice president of the Greensboro Graduate Chapter of Groove Phi Groove.

In 2014, Johnson was appointed to serve out the remaining term of Congresswoman Alma Adams ‘68 in the North Carolina House of Representatives. In 2015, he was elected to the seat and co-sponsored 32 bills that were signed into law. On March 15, 2016, he passed away.

The Nathan “Pedro” Pettus & Ralph Johnson Scholarship is for A&T students, preferably athletes or Blue and Gold Marching Machine members. They are required to have a 2.0 GPA or higher and must demonstrate a financial need.

The Nathan “Pedro” Pettus & Ralph Johnson Scholarship was made possible by Thompson, Keith Lawing, Mary Pat Davis-Thompson, LA Mont Armstrong, James P. Jenkins, Charles Harris, Steve Dixon, Robert Mack and David McCauley Jr., with special appreciation to the brothers of the Greensboro Graduate Chapter.

To learn more about the Greensboro Graduate chapter of Groove Phi Groove Social Fellowship Inc., please click here.