Edward Bernard Fort, born in Detroit, Michigan, assumed responsibilities as chancellor of North Carolina A&T State University on September 1, 1981. His inauguration as the eighth chancellor of the university occurred on Saturday, April 24, 1982. Dr. Fort earned the bachelor’s degree in history and the master’s degree in educational administration from Wayne State University and the doctorate in educational administration from the University of California in Berkeley.
As chancellor of A&T, Dr. Fort guided the university to national prominence as a leader in engineering and technology education. During his administration, the university initiated more than thirty new academic programs, awarded the first Ph.D.s in mechanical and electrical engineering, completed more than $50 million in new construction, including McNair Hall and a new Bluford Library, completed nearly $30 million in renovated facilities, expanded enrollment, established the $9 million Fort Interdisciplinary Research Center, increased the globalization of the campus, won two national first place Kennedy Center/American College Theater festival finishes by the College of Arts and Sciences theater arts program and numerous other accomplishments. The Edward B. Fort Interdisciplinary Research Center (IRC), completed in January 1997 and dedicated on March 22, 1999, was named in his honor. Dr. Fort retired from the University as Chancellor in June 30, 1999 and is now a professor in the Department of Leadership Studies and Adult Education and Chancellor Emeritus of the university.
The Edward B. Fort Collection is one of the largest in our university archives. Boxes include Board of Trustee minutes, special projects with the U.S. Department of Education and the UNC System to improve and invest in North Carolina A&T State University.