Dr. Curtis Eugene Bryan, Sr. is the first of a new legacy of Bryan men, because he is the first of four Curtis Eugene Bryans.  Curtis, Sr. was born September 6, 1938 in Vanceboro, North Carolina (Craven County) to the late Rev. Alfred Hilton Bryan and Bettie Louise Green Bryan.  Curtis attended the public schools of Craven County and earned his high school diploma at Newbold High School in Dover, North Carolina.

Curtis received a B.S. Degree in the field of Education from Elizabeth City State University, Elizabeth City, North Carolina; the M.Ed. Degree in Educational Administration from Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and the Ph.D. Degree in Higher Education (Specialization in Research, Planning and Administration) from New York University, New York, New York.

Dr. Bryan’s early experiences as an educator included his work as a public school teacher, supervising teachers in the area of mathematics and science, and Assistant Principal in the Portsmouth Virginia Public School System.  In 1968, Dr. Bryan began service in higher education when he was called to Elizabeth City State University in the capacity of Director of Admissions.  He has held the ranks of Instructor, Associate Professor and Professor as a part of his college and university academic experiences. Additionally, he has served as Assistant Academic Dean and Director of Continuing Education and Summer Programs at Delaware State College, Dover, Delaware.  Later he served as Dean of the Division of Education and Director of Teacher Education at Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville, North Carolina; soon was called to be the Executive Vice President, and after two years was appointed to the position of President at Virginia State University, Petersburg, Virginia;  then, President of Denmark Technical College, Denmark, SC;  then at Howard University, Washington, DC; operating at the vice presidential level, Dr. Bryan was a key member of the President’s executive staff and functioned as Chief of Staff for the President of the University;  Dr. Bryan held two different positions at the Community College of Philadelphia, Executive Director of Regional Campuses and Director of Community Relations.  He retired while there working in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 

Dr. Bryan’s professional and civic services include membership on the South Carolina Economic Development Commission; the South Carolina Economic Developers Association, and the Bamberg, SC County Chamber of Commerce.   He rendered consultant services to other institutions of higher education and to various other state and federal agencies.

Other services and memberships include the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, American Association of University Professors, National Association for Colleges of Teacher Education, American Association of Higher Education, National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education, American Association for Community and Junior Colleges, Association of the United States Army, Sigma Rho Sigma Honor Society, Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society, Phi Delta Kappa, and the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.

Dr. Bryan has received numerous honors and distinctions which include graduation from New York University with a 4.0 average on the 4.0 scale and being listed in Who’s Who in America and Who’s Who in the South and Southwest.  When graduating from Elizabeth City State University he graduated with the highest grade point average of all the graduating class, so he was given the honor of bringing in the University Mace.

Dr. Bryan is a member and a deacon at Piney Wood Chapel Missionary Baptist Church.  He leaves to cherish the memories of his life serving his family and community, Bethel Cherry Bryan (wife of 58 years) and they have four children, Shuronia Bryan;  Curtis E. Bryan, II (Myra); Daphne Bryan Washington, (Wilson); Jennifer(JB) Bryan.  Two God-daughters, DenyonneToliver and Wendy Rountree.  Curtis has two surviving sisters Bettie Ruth Bryan Green (late John S. Green) Virginia Beach; Pauline Bryan Rountree (late Earl Rountree) Kinston, NC . Grandchildren are Curtis III (Danielle); Larren Bryan (Mia); Chelsia Bryan; Ajani Kingslow; and  Aazizah Bryan.  Great-grandchildren are Sophia Bryan, Curtis Eugene Bryan,IV, and Bryson Dubose.  

Curtis, Sr. was preceded in death by his parents Alfred H. Bryan (Bettie Green Bryan); and his brothers James Bryan; William Bryan(Gladys); John L. Bryan (Estelle); Marvin Bryan; Roosevelt Bryan; and sisters, Inez Nobels (Webster); Thedis Wallace.