Joseph J Rhoads Biography

Who was Dr. Joseph J. Rhoads?

 

Joseph J. Rhoads (1890–1951) was a distinguished educator, school administrator, and college president. Born on October 30, 1890, in Marshall, Texas, he was the son of Dennis Collins and Mary J. Rhoads. He graduated from Central High School in Marshall in 1906 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree with highest honors from Bishop College in 1910.

Rhoads began his career in education as assistant principal of H. B. Pemberton High School in Marshall, serving from 1910 to 1918. In 1918, he married Lucile O. Bridge. The following year, he joined the faculty at Tuskegee Institute, where he taught until 1922. He then pursued further studies at Yale University before returning to Texas in 1923. From 1923 to 1929, he served as principal of Booker T. Washington High School in Dallas.

In 1929, Rhoads became the sixth president of Bishop College—the first African American and first alumnus to hold the position. His leadership from 1929 to 1951 was marked by excellence in teaching, administration, and civil rights advocacy. He earned a Master of Arts degree from the University of Michigan in 1935.

A dedicated advocate for educational equity, Rhoads served as president of the Texas Council of Negro Organizations and chairman of the Texas Commission on Democracy in Education. He championed equal opportunities and fair pay for Black educators in Texas. In 1947, he founded the Dallas branch of Bishop College, laying the groundwork for the college's relocation from Marshall to Dallas in 1961. In recognition of his legacy, the J. J. Rhoads Education Building on the new Dallas campus was named in his honor.

Joseph J. Rhoads passed away on October 9, 1951, and was laid to rest in McJohnson Cemetery in Marshall, Texas.

*The teachers and administrative staff are honored to serve the South Dallas Community and we were honored to be able to meet the namesake of Dr. Rhoads during a visit in the 2024-2025 School Year as seen below.