William Shelburn Moye

William Shelburn Moye served on the ECTC board of trustees from 1927–1935, as the school began to admit significant numbers of male students. By the mid-1930s, the male student body — though amounting to only 10% of the total student number — was becoming more prominent in leadership positions on campus, especially in student publications and in sports. Additionally, Moye’s tenure coincided with Robert H. Wright’s (1870–1934) tragic passing in 1934 after twenty-five years as the school’s president, and the appointment of Leon R. Meadows as Wright’s successor.

Although born in Pitt County in 1876, Moye lived much of his adult life in Rocky Mount. Active in the Democratic Party, Moye was a member of the State Democratic Party’s Executive Committee. During the Wilson administration, he was appointed a deputy United States collector. In 1928, Moye was elected to serve as secretary-manager of the North Carolina State Fair Association. In this role, he was responsible for supervising construction of the State Fair buildings, preparing the grounds, and for opening the fair.

An associate of Congressman Edward William Pou (1863–1934), Moye served as chief clerk for the U.S. House of Representatives Rules Committee chaired by Pou. At the time of his passing, Moye, then a resident of Washington, D. C., had secured a position in the Federal Trade Commission. In 1934, he served as the principal clerk for the Crop and Feed Loan Section of the Farm Credit Administration based in Washington.

Moye’s passing, in early 1935, age 58, from a heart attack, brought ECTC another round of mourning over the loss of one of its veteran leaders. Gov. J. C. B. Ehringhaus (1882–1949) appointed Mrs. Charles M. Johnson (1893–1972), wife of the state treasurer and an ECTC graduate, to the position left vacant by Moye’s death. Mrs. Johnson thus became the first alumna to serve on East Carolina’s board.

Sources

• “Appointed on Board.” News and Observer. April 19, 1935. P. 22.
• “Directors Elect Fair Secretary: Approve Home Coming Week October 14, and Commend Work of W. S. Moye.” News and Observer. February 15, 1929. P. 1.
• “Governor Names Fair Directors: Morrison Refused Appointment; W. S. Moye Expected to Become Gen’l Manager.” News and Observer. October 26, 1927. P. 1.
• “Kiwanis Club Endorses Fair: W. S. Moye Says Grandstand to be Similar to University Stadium.” News and Observer. April 28, 1928. P. 3.
• “Numerous Farm Exhibits at State Fair This Week: Secretary Manager W. S. Moye Overcomes Many Difficulties.” News and Observer. October 28, 1928. P. 35.
• “State Fair Reorganization Comes Before Society Today.” News and Observer. January 27, 1925. P. 13.
• “Tar Heels in Washington Enjoy Varied Activities.” News and Observer. August 26, 1934. P. 14.
• “William S. Moye Called by Death: Succumbs to Sudden Heart Attack in Washington; Funeral Today, 4 p.m.” News and Observer. April 8, 1935. P. 1.

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