Former East Georgia State College President John Bryant Black died August 22, 2023. Dr. Black served as President of EGSC from August 2004 until December 2011. Born on April 11, 1939, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, he was the only child of John Bryant Black, Sr. and Nora Deck Black. Dr. Black is predeceased by his parents and beloved son, Manning Bryant Black. He is survived by his wife of fifty-eight years, Dorothy Curran Black.
Early in his life, Dr. Black's family moved to Swainsboro where he began his lengthy odyssey of education. Swainsboro schools had him only briefly before his father’s transfer took the family to Augusta, Georgia. Even so, John never lost connection with those early Swainsboro school pals.
John graduated from Lanier High School and Mercer University in Macon and the Medical College of Georgia Graduate School with a PhD in endocrinology. After serving the University System of Georgia as a professor at Augusta College and in a variety of administrative positions at East Georgia State College, Dalton State College, Middle Georgia State University, and the University of Georgia System Office in Atlanta, Dr. Black gracefully stepped into a well-earned retirement.
During his tenure at East Georgia, enrollment increased 147 percent, from 1,381 students in fall 2004 to 3,418 in fall 2011. In June of 2011, the Board of Regents approved state college status for East Georgia, which allowed it to offer for the first time a baccalaureate degree in biology. Under Black’s leadership, East Georgia experienced an era of milestone advances as it opened its first student housing – a 200-bed, $8 million complex that allowed students to reside on campus in apartment-style units. President Black was an integral part of the establishment of intercollegiate athletics at EGSC and vigorously promoted his personal favorite, the Disc Golf program. Another dream of President Black's came to fruition with the opening of the Sudie A. Fulford Learning Center, which has served in dramatic fashion uniting the campus and community. While the list of his accomplishments is extensive, Dr. Black's core competency was perhaps best found in his simple enjoyment of people. That was the person he was and the sentiment that best portrayed him.
Dr. Black and his wife Dorothy were a team. He may have been the hard-charging President at the college, but his wife was the shining star. He encouraged her role, and her input was vital. That was his style, on campus or off. He encouraged everyone. The faculty and staff saw him as their mentor and supporter. Jordyn Nail, former instructor at EGSC, said "he took a chance on me. I will never forget that." Others shared sentiments along those same lines. He cared and he showed it. From Susan Gray, Executive Assistant to Dr. Black during his tenure at EGSC, “Dr. Black loved East Georgia State College and our community. He believed if the college was part of the community, the community would be part of the college. He believed it, he lived it, and he was truly a friend to both. He will be missed. He leaves many special friends in Emanuel and surrounding counties.”
Upon hearing of Dr. Black’s passing, Dr. Bob Boehmer, his successor as President, shared the following, “What I remember about John Black is how much he loved the East Georgia students. One Saturday morning many years before I served as president of East Georgia, he called me at my office at the University of Georgia. He was busy working on a Saturday trying to find a way to help a student, who had started slowly but finished strong at East Georgia. Dr. Black was determined to help this student navigate the transfer admissions process. I was moved by how well he knew this young person and how much he believed in the student's capacity to succeed. This same pattern repeated itself in other student situations over the years to come. He was devoted to his students, got to know them personally and went above and beyond to help them succeed in life.
This dedication was one of the principal reasons, Joyce and I chose to come to East Georgia.”
Former Chamber of Commerce President Bill Rogers, Jr. and former Mayor Charles Schwabe praised the spirit and enthusiasm of Dr. Black as someone who constantly gave 100% to community activities, notably the long running Pine Tree Festival. “His leadership and hard work were instrumental in revitalizing the annual event,” remarked Schwabe. In later years, Black was honored by being named as a recipient of the Green Jacket award and selected as parade Grand Marshall.
Golf, hunting, fishing, and traveling afforded him many cherished memories of good times spent with great friends. An especially "dear to his heart" activity occupied the first full week of April in Augusta. He worked at the Augusta National many years as a manager of the Masters Tournament Practice area. He called the experience, "outside the ropes" and spoke of it proudly and with immense pleasure.
Dr. Black’s interests were extensive, and he invested 100% in each one. He published numerous papers including those on his specialty, fertility issues, throughout his 45-year career in higher education. His passion for his family, his students, his craft and his community knew no limit. It set him apart. John Black’s gift was his unaffected quality of naturally attracting people to come along and join in. East Georgia State College and so many of the people in this part of Georgia were fortunate and privileged to be a part of that journey.
Family and friends are invited to attend the graveside service at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, September 2, 2023 in the West Hill Cemetery in Dalton, Georgia. The Rev. Ted Clarkson of the Church of the Good Shepherd in Augusta will be officiating.
In lieu of flowers, please consider sending a donation in Dr. Black’s name to support the Bryant Black fund at the Children’s Hospital of Georgia. Checks should be made payable to the Augusta University Foundation and mailed to the attention of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement, Augusta University, 1120 15th Street, AD11-40, Augusta, GA. 30912. Donations may also be made to the Black Family Scholarship Fund, East Georgia State College, 131 College Circle, Swainsboro, Ga. 30401
