4 T II E P E X
DEAN CHARLES H. BOYER
On tlio twelftli daj' of November
18G9, ill tlie little town of Elkton,
Maryland, a child was born, destin
ed to become an inspiring teacher
and leader of colored youth. This
child who received his early eduoa-
tional trainin'? in the public schools
of Elkton and Pennsylvania, and
iiis first liif?her trainin'; at both
the Institute for Colored Youth in
Pennsylvania and the Hopkins
Grammar Preparatory School in
New Haven, Connecticut, is none
other than our beloved Dean Chas.
II. Boyer.
Like the blue and white St. Au-
jrustine’s pennant, a plowing em-
l)lem of inspiration, hope and a-
chievemeiit, Dean Boyer lives in
our hearts and minds as an indi
vidual worthy of admiration and
complete imitation by all wlio liave
been fortunate eiiouph to come in
contact with him.
Wlieii he first came to teach at
St, Augustine’s in 189G, after hav
ing' graduated from Yale Univer
sity, St. Augustine’s was just a
normal school giving industrial
training to both boys an.d girls. Af
ter he was here for forty years,
serving as Dean from 1925 to 193(i,
he saw St. Augustine’s develop in
to a fully accredited four-year col
lege, giving its first degree in 1931.
For his splendid Avork and service
in fosetering this achievement, a
large share of the credit should be
laid at his feet,. Unassuming and
unaffected as he is, it is easy to un
derstand his disclamation of any
credit for the accomplishment.
In Septembei’, 1897, he claimed
as his bride, his high school sweet
heart, Sliss Amelia Chase of New
Haven. Thej' were happily married.
and together raised seven of their
eight children to maturity. Pour of
them are residents of TJaleigli; the
other three are living in Florida,
New York, and Michigan.
Dean Boyer takes a keen inter
est in e^’erything around him. His
hobbies are picture taking and na
ture study, although he derives
much ,pleasure from the radio and
the movies. lie shows a great pref-
rence for mysteries or dramatic
plays, combining pathos with
laughter. Nothing entertains liim
more than to listen to the come
dians, Fred Allen and Fibber Mc
Gee. Having played and coached
both football and baseball in high
school, he is an ardent fan of all
sjiorts. It is not an uncommou sight
to see him wearing the colors of
the school at our athletic contests.
One of his greatest thrills was
making a trip abroad when cele-
(irating his loth anniversary. He
enjoyed the crossing immensely,
and he never lost a meal either
way. AVhile there, he visited the
chief cities of Italy, Germany,
France, hnd England, observing
Corpus Christi day at the Cathe
dral of Milan and gliding in a gon
dola through the water-covered
streets of Venice. His unique ex
periences in Egypt, Rcmie and
Paris have made vital impressions
upon him which have influenced
his outlook on life.
Blessed with hosts of true friends
he adheres to the old proverb, ‘ ‘ To
have friends, one must show him
self friendly”. He has faith in
young people; he strives to remain
close to them, always reminding
them to be cautious and careful
and to maintain a high and noble