I was inspired to attend A&T by my aunts, Alice Bell Odom, Class of 1944, and Barbara Bell Jones, Class of 1947, as well as by my sister, Margaret Bell Hawkins, Class of 1957. Their experiences began a family tradition of becoming Aggies that continues today.  

As a freshman in 1956, I was excited about college life and eager to experience what my aunt and sister had described as so special. They were all right. From my first day moving into Holland Hall and meeting my roommates until the day I graduated in 1960, A&T was truly special. I remember the freshman class photo taken on the steps of Dudley Memorial Building and thinking that ours was an exceptionally large class. I was selected by my classmates as Miss Freshman. That year was filled with experiences that remain vivid in my memory: standing in lines for dining hall meals, attending Saturday movies and Sunday vespers in Harrison Auditorium, taking classes in Hodges Hall, visiting Bluford Library, cheering with delight for my high school classmates and friends on the outstanding basketball team, and supporting new friends on the football team at Memorial Stadium. The year passed very quickly.  

My sophomore year, I joined Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and experienced a different kind of sisterhood. Living in Morrison Hall required walking past the daily “gathering” of the young men on “the corner” after dinner in the dining hall. My junior year, I lived in the old Vanstory Hall. I served as a queen for an ROTC unit and remember marching with the unit in the homecoming parade – and how my feet hurt. I remember the delicious sandwiches and ice cream that we enjoyed from Boss Webster’s.  

My senior year was filled with memorable experiences and history. As Miss A&T, I represented my classmates and the university at events on and off campus. I remember traveling to South Carolina State University and Morgan State University with the football team. I attended banquets and receptions for visiting dignitaries and welcomed new faculty members and students. I lived in Holland Hall and served as a counselor for the young women entering as freshmen.  

Homecoming 1959 was an exciting weekend and one of the highlights of my reign. I was proud to represent both A&T and my family as Miss A&T. On homecoming day, I wore a gold suit made by A&T students.  

Senior year was busy and historic. The Woolworth sit-in took place Feb. 1, 1960. I was in my economics class. History was made that day, and it changed the world – and us. One of my final official acts as Miss A&T was to make remarks at the Student Government Association-sponsored retirement program for Dr. Warmoth T. Gibbs held in Harrison Auditorium. I also presented my successor, Juanita Tatum, as new Miss A&T for the 1960-61 school year.  

I graduated with the Class of 1960. It was the first A&T graduation at the new Greensboro Coliseum auditorium. The spring of 1961 saw my mother, Ozette Bell, honored as “Mother of the Year” during the Mother’s Day festivities and open house with Miss A&T and former Miss A&Ts.  

My experiences at A&T prepared me to face the world with knowledge that guided my career, strengthened my social skills and confidence, deepened my passion for community service, and helped me be a supportive spouse and loving mother and grandmother. I was married for 59 years to the late Rudolph A. Pyatt Jr., a retired Washington Post columnist. I am the mother of adult twin sons, Rudy and Randy. Randy and his wife, Emily, are the parents of teenage twins, RJ and Sophia.