North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (N.C. A&T) renamed its Academic Classroom Building to Henry E. and Shirley T. Frye Hall in June 2024. The building is located in the center of campus, next to Proctor Hall and the Deese Clock Tower. 

The building is named after Henry E. and Shirley T. Frye, two of the university’s most notable alumni:

Henry E. Frye:

The first African American Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court. He was also an African American assistant U.S. district attorney, a member of the N.C. General Assembly, and served in the Korean War. 

Shirley T. Frye

An educator and community advocate who worked for the State Department of Public Instruction and WFMY News 2. She also received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, one of North Carolina’s highest civilian honors.

The Fryes met while attending N.C. A&T, graduated in 1953, and married in 1956. A statue of the couple was also placed in Center City Park in downtown Greensboro in February 2024.

Frye Hall stands as a testament to the couple’s enduring example, symbolizing excellence, integrity and service to others. It will serve as a hub of academic achievement and innovation, fostering the next generation of leaders who will carry forward the Fryes’ spirit at A&T.

“I made the right decision coming to A&T as a student in 1949. A&T has been good to me,” said Henry Frye. “The university was and still is a great institution that knows what it needs to do and gets the work done.”

The Fryes are current members of the Gate City Alumni Chapter.