Description

In this second of four interviews, Harold Pulley, UNC Charlotte alumnus, recounts his college and military careers, discussing his time at Livingstone College, Gaston Technical Institute, and UNC Charlotte, as well as in the Navy Reserve and the Air Force. He comments on feelings in the local African-American community about UNC Charlotte, particularly in relation to Johnson C. Smith University, and describes his student experience at UNC Charlotte, including coursework, social connections, relationships with faculty, and race relations on campus. He recalls his first meetings with and impressions of Bonnie Cone and Loy Witherspoon, and briefly discusses fellow students Ben Chavis and Michael Carmichael. He also talks about his time in Vietnam, his struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder, his church involvement, his decisions to attend each higher education institution, and his lasting relationship with Bonnie Cone during his time as a student. Other topics include racial discrimination in the military, current events such as the Obama presidency, and the difference between black and white churches when it comes to handling church conflict., Harold Pulley was a 68-year-old man at the time of interview, which took place in the Center City Building at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He was born in Spring Hope, North Carolina in 1944 and was educated at Booker T. Washington High School in Norfolk, Virginia, at Livingston College in Salisbury, North Carolina, at UNC Charlotte in Charlotte, North Carolina, and at Boston University School of Theology in Boston, Massachusetts. He was employed as a pastor at numerous churches in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and New England and as a juvenile probation officer, director of urban ministry, case manager, consultant, and counselor with various agencies in Pennsylvania.