Educator and social activist. A benefactor of mankind and an advocate for democracy as a reality. "A man for all seasons," the tested path of Dr. George G. Singleton's life embraced many periods of challenge and change in the educational-socioeconomic-political arena. Eminent yet modest, his strengths lay in quietness and confidence, in adherence to a stringent code of ethics that reflected his philosophy of life and the high moral qualities to which he ascribed and by which he lived. The man called "G.G.", the son of Rev. John Thomas and Anna Singleton, heads of "A Pioneer Missionary Family in the C.M.E. Church" was born in the small town of Milledgeville, Georgia, May 15, 1900. His parents were the patriarch and matriarch of a Christian family of eleven children. They provided and environment for their children which nurtured desirable thoughts, habits and motives and they taught them character by precept and example. Their toils, cares, love and exemplary lives were well rewarded as evidenced by the achievements and positions of responsibility attained by the children. With such an impressive background and the Christian Values instilled, the heights to which George Singleton aspired and attained and his principles and moral values are easily understood. He completed his work at the elementary level, attending the Helen Brown Cobb Industrial Institute in Barnesville, Georgia. Inspired by the preaching of Mrs. Helen Cobb about Atlanta University, a visit to the university became a must. Singleton soon decided that he should like to attend the university and sought admission to the Atlanta University Preparatory School although he had no admission credentials or certificate. Inspired and encouraged by a faculty member, he gained an appointment with the principal who "sat right down and gave him an examination, corrected his papers and admitted him and there! on the basis of his performance." Singleton's family at this time was living in Atlanta and his father owned a shoe repair shop. Through hard work as a "finisher" in his father's shoe shop, shoe shine boy in barber shops, work in the tobacco fields, singing with a quartet, working as a pullman porter and working as a salesman for the Northwestern Life Insurance Co. of Newark, New Jersey (1924-1926), young Singleton paid his way through the Academy, Atlanta University and New York University, graduating from these institutions in 1919, 1924 and 1927 respectively. Upon completing his work at New York University, Singleton was one of the first five African-Americans to earn the degree of Master of Business Administration. He pursued further study at New York University following the earning of the M.B.A. Degree. An interest in the study of Law later led to Singleton receiving the Matriculation Certificate from the American Extension School of Law. His first offer for employment came from Atlanta University in 1928 to serve as professor and head of the Department of Business Administration. Flattered by this offer from his Alma Mater, an acceptance was readily made. In the meantime, however, Dr. Mordicai Johnson, President of Howard University in Washington, D.C., offered him a similar position which he reluctantly turned down to honor his present commitment. The news of Singleton's outstanding record there reached the ears of Dr. John M. Gandy, President of Virginia State College in Petersburg, Virginia, who offered him the position as Chairman of the new Business Administration Department. Singleton accepted the position in 1930 and sometime in the 1920s and 30s met and married Irene Sugg from Virginia. The couple never had any children. An illustrious career as professor of accounting along with duties as Chairman of the Department of Business Administration and services in many other areas of the college's program led to Singleton's promotion to the position of Director of the School of Commerce. This position offered one of the greatest challenges of his Singleton's career. Singleton was a outspoken advocate for actions which would enhance the socio-economic and general living conditions in the community. Out of this evolved the organization of the Petersburg Negro Business Association in February 1936 under the auspices of a group of faculty members from Virginia State. Having been a football player himself, Singleton became interested and involved in the total sports program. He was appointed by President Gandy as the Director of Public Relations which required that he report on events at the College, including sports. He served in this capacity until 1937. Singleton was later elected as Chairman of the Athletic Policy Committee at Virginia St! ate in 1942. Out of this grew his participation in the activities of CIAA- known then as the Colored Intercollegiate Athletic Association (now the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association. Singleton was elected president of that Association in 1943, serving three years. He was later named Honorary President of the Association and was elected to its Hall of Fame in March 1968. Singleton was also instrumental in organizing the Virginia State Federal Credit Union in January 1939 which was owned and operated by the employees of Virginia State and later grew to be a million dollar bank prior to his retirement. He served as treasure of the Credit Union from its inception until 1969 and was truly gratified because of its growth and services to the community. During World War II Singleton was called upon to render service to his nation as Vice-Chairman of the War Finance Committee of Virginia as a "Dollar a Year Man" to promote the sale of War Bonds. In February 1950, he was invited to consider the position of President of Lane College, Jackson, Tennessee, which he elected not to pursue. One of the highlights of Singleton's career was being considered by the State Board of Education of Virginia for the presidency of Virginia State College at the time of the death of President Luther Foster. Though he was not chosen, the consideration was a testimony to his excellence as an educator and administrator. He was listed in the 1957-58 edition of Who's Who in American in American Education. Additionally, he served as Dean of Men at Virginia State College for a period of years along with his other responsibilities; Singleton was appointed as a member of the Executive Committee of the Business Administration Division of the Association of Land Grant Colleges and Universities. Singleton later led the planning for and the erection of the school's new Commerce Building. Moving day into the new building was a great day for Singleton, the faculty and students alike. In 1973 he was honored by having the building named after him-Singleton Hall. Virginia Union University, Richmond, Virginia honored him by conferring the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws in 1966. Singleton's life exemplified his devotion to the implementation of the principles of democratic living. His services in this regard were state-wide and national in scope. Opportunities were afforded him for services at these levels as follows: Gov. William Tuck of Virginia appointed Singleton to membership of the Board of Controls for Southern Regional Education. Gov. Mills Godwin, Jr. and Gov. Linwood Holton appointed him, respectively, as a member of the Virginia Traffic Study Commission in 1966 and the Virginia Highway Safety Commission in 1968 to 1979. He was appointed Vice-Chairman and a member of the Board of Directors of the latter organization. Additionally, Singleton was selected to serve as a member of the Board of Directors of the Virginia Chapter of Americans for Effective Law Enforcement. Singleton received the Award of Merit from the Old Dominion Vocational Association and the OMEGA PSI PHI Fraternity; he was cited by the Men's Senate of Virginia State College in 1967 for Distinguished Services; he was awarded the "Varsity S" (Honorary) for participation in sports by Virginia State College. Upon Singleton's retirement in 1968, his co-workers, students and graduates of the School of Commerce honored him with an impressive Testimonial which brought home to Virginia State and the school of Commerce more than a hundred former students and friends who held outstanding positions of leadership throughout the country. Affectionately known to them as "G.G.," they recalled his favorite his favorite expression to them: "NO SHILLY SHALLYING" and their testimonies reflected the high regard and esteem in which he was held by them and their appreciation for the fact that he gave no less than the excellence of himself in their behalf and demanded no less than the excellence of them. During his retirement years, Singleton still maintained an active interest and participation in varying phases of the program of the College and received several awards. The George G. Singleton Accounting Scholarship Fund was later established in his honor by the School of Business, Department of Accounting. He served Virginia Union University as a professor of Accounting during the 1970-71 school year. Lincoln University, Jefferson City, Missouri called upon him to participate in its conference on Economic Problems of The Negro Race. The Board of Visitors of Virginia State College awarded him the rank of Professor Emeritus in 1974. Dr. George G. Singleton died in Virginia on June 14, 1980, following in the footsteps of his father in service to mankind for 50 years. Memorial services were held at his family's home church, Butler Street C.M.E. in Atlanta, and his funeral was held on the campus of Virginia State University. Throughout all of Singleton's life radiated a tranquil brightness to all who came within his influence and nurtured his most cherished gifts of life- his home, family, friendships, and works. His boundless feeling of brotherhood was evident through his many fraternal and other affiliations. Singleton was initiated into the Tau Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity while a student a Atlanta University and affiliated with Delta Omega Chapter at Petersburg, Virginia when he began his work at Virginia State University. Other affiliations included membership in Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Sigmas Delta Psi Fraternity, and Pi Omega Pi Honorary Society. Singleton was a 32nd Degree Mason, a Shriner, and held a Certificate of Rank from the United States Karate Association- Honorary Black Belt. He also was an avid bridge player and a lover of good music, art, and sports and found inspiration in guidance in quiet listening and reading. It is reasonable to assume that any success in service which may have been his was also a part of the Divine plan for his life and is the yardstick by which his life may be measured. Furthermore, Singleton blazed some new paths in his efforts to serve mankind, never violating the rights of anyone as he sought to fill his niche and give the best he had toward the discharge of his responsibilities. Success to him meant leaving any situation in which he was involved better than he found it. In a speech that Singleton delivered on the subject of THE PRICELESS CREDIT UNION he quoted a statement by R. F. Bergengren in which he firmly believed as follows: "There is no true compensation for the toils and tribulations incidental to passing this span of years called life except as one writes his own immortality in service, the good results of which live after him." Dr. George G. Singleton's benefactions were many. His immortality is secure.

A Pillar of strength - he passed our way
Daring to hold his standards high.
Stalwart - he touched the lives of hundreds in his day
Enriched as each passed by.
Embrace his love - the hallmark of his life
Filtered through like light in the morning shone
His qualities one assimilates
May tune the hearts of generations yet unborn.

-Irene S. Singleton