Gwendolyn Boyd facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gwendolyn Boyd
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Gwendolyn Boyd in 2015
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| Born | December 27, 1955 |
| Education | Alabama State University, BS Yale University, MS Howard University, M.Div and DMin |
| Occupation | Mechanical engineer |
| Years active | 1980-2013 |
| Employer | Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory |
| Known for | President of Alabama State University |
Gwendolyn Elizabeth Boyd, born on December 27, 1955, is an American scientist and a leader in universities. She was the president of Alabama State University from 2014 to 2016. Before becoming a university leader, she worked as a mechanical engineer. She was employed at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory.
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Early Life and Education Journey
Gwendolyn Boyd was born in Montgomery, Alabama, on December 27, 1955. Her mother was Dora Lee McClain. When Gwendolyn was thirteen, she became an orphan. Her godmother, Emzella Mapson, then raised her. She went to McDavid Elementary School.
Gwendolyn was one of the first five Black students to attend Jefferson Davis High School. She graduated in 1973 as the top student in her class, known as the valedictorian.
College and Advanced Degrees
Boyd earned a scholarship to Alabama State University. She graduated in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics. While at Alabama State, she joined the Delta Sigma Theta sorority.
She then went to Yale University. In 1979, she earned a Master of Science degree in mechanical engineering. Her special area of study was acoustics, which is about sound. Later, she received two more degrees from Howard University in 2007. These were a master's of divinity and a doctorate in ministry.
Gwendolyn Boyd's Career Path
After finishing her studies, Gwendolyn Boyd briefly worked for IBM in Kingston, New York. In 1980, she joined the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL). This lab is located in Laurel, Maryland.
Work at Johns Hopkins APL
At APL, she first worked in the Strategic Systems Department. Here, she helped test and check submarine navigation systems. In 1998, Boyd became an assistant for APL's development programs. She was promoted again in 2004. She became the executive assistant to the chief of staff.
Boyd was also chosen to be part of Johns Hopkins' Diversity Leadership Council. She led this council as chair from 2003 to 2005. In 2009, the Obama administration asked her to join the board of the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship foundation. This foundation helps students who want to study science, math, and engineering.
Leading Alabama State University
In December 2013, Alabama State University announced exciting news. Gwendolyn Boyd, who had graduated from the university, was chosen as its next president. Her term began in February 2014. She made history by becoming the first woman to hold this important position.
In November 2016, the university's board of trustees suspended Boyd's presidency. The following month, the board voted to end her contract. They stated that she had "failure to maintain the confidence of the board."
Awards and Recognition
Gwendolyn Boyd has received special honorary doctorates. These are degrees given to people to honor their achievements. She received them from Bennett College and Lincoln University.
Personal Life and Community Service
Gwendolyn Boyd was the national president of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority from 2000 to 2004. She is also a member of The Links, another community service organization.
She served on the board of directors for several important groups. These include Bennett College, the Children’s National Medical Center, Leadership Greater Washington, and the National Partnership for Community Leadership. She is also an ordained elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. She belongs to the Ebenezer A.M.E Church in Fort Washington, Maryland.
