Former Durham mayor will give William Peace University commencement address
Former Durham Mayor Bill Bell will be this year’s commencement speaker for William Peace University, the school announced last week.
The ceremony is set for 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the university’s main lawn.
“It is with great humility and excitement that I accept the invitation to address the graduating class of William Peace University,” Bell said in a news release. “I am eager to share insights, inspiration, and encouragement as you embark on the next chapter of your lives, armed with the invaluable tools of education and the spirit of determination.”
William Peace University President Dr. Brian Ralph said he’s honored to have Bell speak at commencement.
“I am very excited for our graduates and guests to hear from Mr. Bell,” Ralph said. “He has been a highly respected leader for decades, known for his character and wisdom.
“I am confident we will all benefit from what he has to share with us.”
Bell served as the mayor of Durham from 2001 until 2017. He also served on the Durham County Board of Commissioners for 26 years, 12 of those as the chair.
In July 2019, the UNC Board of Governors appointed Bell to the North Carolina Central University Board of Trustees. That first term ended in 2023, but Bell was appointed again on July 1, 2023, for four more years.
In May 2018, Bell earned an honorary doctor of law degree from Duke University.
Bell attended public school in Winston-Salem before earning his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Howard University in Washington, D.C.
Bell is currently the chairperson of the North Carolina Railroad Company’s (NCRR) Board of Directors, and he also serves on the M&F Bank’s Durham City Advisory Board. Bell was a charter member of the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics Board of Trustees and the Research Triangle Regional Public Transportation Authority. He’s also the President/CEO of the UDI Community Development Corporation in Durham.
In 1988, Bell was awarded the Alumni Award for Distinguished Postgraduate Achievement in the Fields of Engineering and Public Service by the Howard University Board of Trustees.
Bell’s professional background and experience as an electrical engineer led him to roles at The Martin-Marietta Corporation, the U.S. Army Research and Development Lab and The IBM Corporation in Research Triangle Park (RTP) until he retired in 1996.
Bell and his wife Judith live in Durham. They are parents of four children and seven grandchildren.
