Simon Green Atkins

Simon Green Atkins (June 11, 1863 – June 28, 1934) was a North Carolina educator who was the founder and first president of Winston-Salem State University (previously the Slater Industrial Academy) and founded the North Carolina Negro Teachers' Association in 1881. He dedicated his life to improving education for African Americans and his prowess in teaching allowed him to make great strides in providing better and equal education. In addition to teaching, Atkins worked to better his community by improving the health, housing, and economic status of the African American community.

Early life Born to two former slaves, Atkins was born into slavery on a farm in North Carolina rented by his former owner, Capt. E. Bryan. In 1880, after many years of public education, Atkins enrolled at St. Augustine's Normal and Collegiate Institute in Raleigh, North Carolina. Here, he was introduced to Anna Julia Cooper, an accomplished student at St. Augustine's college, who mentored Atkins and inspired him to continue pursuing education. With Cooper's help, at the young age of 17, Atkins began his teaching career at a rural public school in North Carolina.

Education Atkins first began his education from his earliest years of attending schooling in Haywood, NC, where he progressed to top of his class. After teaching at a local school, he then enrolled at St. Augustine's College Raleigh, NC in 1880. In addition to the Simon Green Atkins Society, WSSU also implemented the Simon Green Atkins Scholars Society, an undergraduate program of both curricular and co-curricular aspects as well as many experimental learning initiatives. The goal of the program is to provide "personal attention, top faculty, enlightening seminars, illuminating study-abroad experiences, numerous research opportunities, and career-building internships," in order to enhance education experience and prepare students for their future.

A house Atkins built in Winston-Salem in 1893, now known as the S. G. Atkins House, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

Simon G. Atkins Academic & Technology High School, a magnet high school in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, is named for Atkins.