Charles Alvin Wright, a longtime HBCU professor and administrator, passed away on May 26, 2025 – his 82nd birthday.
As a scholar, Dr. Wright authored more than 50 journal articles and academic publications in the areas of civil engineering, technology, safety, and assessment. Early into his career, he was a senior lecturer at Egerton Agricultural College in Kenya, where he taught civil and agricultural engineering. After returning to the United States, he spent most of his career at Florida A&M University, a historically Black university in Tallahassee. While there, he served in several academic and administrative roles, including professor of civil engineering and chair of the department of architectural construction and engineering technology. In 2011, he transitioned to historically Black South Carolina State University as the inaugural executive director for the James E. Clyburn University Transportation Center.
After his retirement, Dr. Wright remained a dedicated supporter of higher education. At Florida A&M University, where he was conferred the title of professor emeritus, Dr. Wright was a lifetime booster and hosted the Dr. Charles A. Wright Scholarship for students pursuing degrees in engineering technology. He was also a mentor with 100 Black Men of America and a minister with the Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Tallahassee.
An HBCU graduate, Dr. Wright earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering technology from what is now Savannah State University in Georgia. He received a second bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and a master’s degree in civil and public works engineering from the University of Florida. He holds a doctorate in civil engineering and transportation from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.
