Gift will strengthen endowment established by Anderson and extend his legacy at NCCU for generations to come
DURHAM, N.C. — North Carolina Central University (NCCU) has received a $1.5 million bequest from distinguished alumnus Dr. Norman B. Anderson, a member of the Class of 1977. This bequest is the largest in the university’s history. Through his estate, Dr. Anderson directed this historic gift to the Dr. Norman B. Anderson Psychology Scholars Fund, an endowment he established during his lifetime, demonstrating a lasting commitment to the university and its future. His vision for the endowment was to help students at his alma mater gain research experience and increase their competitiveness for doctoral programs in psychology.
Dr. Anderson, who passed away in 2024, built an extraordinary career as a scientist, scholar, academic leader and executive whose work helped shape research and practice in psychology, public health and the behavioral and social sciences. His decision to support NCCU through his estate ensures that his connection to the university will endure beyond his lifetime.
“Dr. Anderson’s extraordinary legacy reflects the power of education to shape lives, influence fields of study and create lasting change,” said NCCU Chancellor Karrie G. Dixon. “We are deeply grateful for his decision to invest in North Carolina Central University in such a meaningful and enduring way. His generosity will help strengthen the university’s future while honoring the remarkable life and accomplishments of one of our distinguished alumni.”
A native of Greensboro, North Carolina, Dr. Anderson graduated from NCCU in 1977 before earning a master’s degree and doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He subsequently completed clinical residency training at Brown University School of Medicine and a postdoctoral research fellowship at Duke University School of Medicine.
Throughout his career, Dr. Anderson held influential roles across government, higher education and professional organizations. He served as associate director of the National Institutes of Health and became the first director of the NIH Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research. He also served as a professor at the Harvard School of Public Health and later as chief executive officer and executive vice president of the American Psychological Association, a position he held for 13 years.
His scholarship addressed the intersections of stress, health and the experiences of African Americans. Among his contributions was work advancing a biopsychosocial understanding of racism as a source of stress. In 2023, he received the Scientific Impact Award from the Society of Experimental Social Psychology in recognition of his contributions to the field.
Dr. Anderson was elected to the National Academy of Medicine in 2012 and inducted into the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame in 2013. His distinguished career also included four honorary doctorates and numerous professional honors and fellowships.
While his professional accomplishments reached national and international audiences, Dr. Anderson’s decision to direct his bequest to an endowment he had already established reflects a deliberate investment in NCCU’s continuing mission and future. His gift represents both a historic milestone in the university’s philanthropic history and a lasting expression of confidence in the institution.
His gift is evidence that philanthropy creates opportunities that can extend far beyond a single moment or generation.