Adolph Dial

Legacy

As one of the first people to give an in-depth history of the Lumbee people, Dial was instrumental in helping garner public attention to the tribe and its history. His work in American Indian Studies helped pave the way for various departments and curriculum to form across the Southeastern United States. On a state level, Dial received numerous accolades including the North Carolina Folk Award and the Jefferson Award, as well as being named "Tar Heel of the Week" by the Raleigh News and Observer. The Adolph L. Dial Amphitheater on the university's campus is a dedication towards his philanthropic work, and regularly performed the play Strike at the Wind! for the community until 2007. In 2021, Dr. Adolph L. Dial Endowed Professorship of American Indian Studies was named at UNC-Pembroke in his honor.