For 1st time, UNCA names a building after black backer

For the first time, UNC Asheville has named an academic building in honor of an African-American, Alfred J. Whitesides Jr.

The building, previously known as New Hall, was dedicated on Feb. 19, after a public vote by the Board of Trustees.

“All of our campus community is excited about this opportunity to honor Al Whitesides, a passionate steward of UNC Asheville, a champion in the Asheville community and a dear friend,” said UNCA Board Chair Pat Smith. “During Al’s tenure and through the stewardship of the board, UNC Asheville experienced an unprecedented period of growth and construction, second only to the groundbreaking of the campus in 1959. Buildings constructed during this time include Highsmith Union, the Glass House of the library, Governors Hall, Sam Millar Facilities Complex, Zeis Hall, the groundbreaking of the Wilma M. Sherrill Center and construction of New Hall.”

An ardent supporter of the Bulldogs with more than 15 years of service to the university and many more to the UNC system, Whitesides is a board member of the UNC Asheville Bulldog Athletic Association (BAA), having served as president of both the BAA and the UNCA Board of Trustees. He received an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from UNCA in 2012, and as a student at North Carolina Central University, he served as president of the student government association and a member of the board, resuming his service on the NCCU board almost a decade later as an alumnus.

“It’s not many times in the life of the university that you do something like this and have an opportunity to think about and thank those individuals that we honor and those who lead us,” said UNCA Chancellor Mary K. Grant. “New Hall has been a canvas ready for this recognition. It will share Al’s impacts on campus, in our community and around the state, while reminding us that we have much work to do building on the legacy of a great man and a great institution.”

Whitesides is recognized throughout Asheville as a successful businessman, a community leader and a living touchstone to the city’s struggle to eliminate segregation. While attending the segregated African-American Stephens-Lee High School in the early 1960s, he and his classmates joined ASCORE (Asheville Student Committee on Racial Equality). The group organized and participated in nonviolent demonstrations to desegregate local businesses. Whitesides remained active in the civil rights movement while attending college, where he met his wife Shirley, a retired art teacher and nonprofit leader, who leads the Delta House Life Development of Asheville. The Whitesides have two daughters.

"As I stand here today, it would not be right for me not to recognize all of those whose shoulders I stand on," said Whitesides who spoke about the community and family. "One of the things that our families told us is, 'how you take the name away from home, we want you to bring it back the same way.' It was that pride that we've never forgotten. Another thing I remember my grandfather telling me is 'what you put between your ears nobody can ever take away.’"

Whitesides called on education as the way to level the playing field, and he thanked students while reminding them to go back and help those in need to help themselves. He also challenged the community to do more.