FOR more than sixty years, Dr. A. Ronald Hudson, has been a community pillar of academic incentives and enduring innovations exemplifying “We are the Change that we seek.”

 

Born on July 1 during the Silent Generation in IRC, Dr. Hudson was one (1) of nine (9) children whose father never earned more than $5.00 a day all of his life.  Despite falling behind in his schooling because he had to work in the citrus groves to support his siblings, he persistently pursued his education and graduated first in his class from Gifford High School (GHS) in 1950. 

 

After serving in the Korean War, 1950 – 1954, Dr. Hudson continued his education at Bethune Cookman College, now BCU, and graduated in 1957 with a BS Degree in Chemistry.  In 1961 he returned to IRC to pursue his passion, teaching Chemistry and Physics at GHS and in 1965 under the new administration of Dr. Samuel A. Hunter, Dr. Hudson’s plan to change the traditional ‘Senior Prom’ to a ‘Washington, DC Tour’’.  Commencing with the GHS Class of 1966, this change immediately became ultimate GHS Tradition and increased number graduates by more than 50% in 1969 when GHS closed.  A determined advocate of improving the quality of life, Dr. Hudson obtained GHS Parent Teachers Association (PTA) approval in 1966 for change that allowed FEMALE DROPOUTS to obtain GHS diploma.

 

With the end of segregation looming, Dr. Hudson matriculated and obtained a MS Degree in Educational Supervision and Administration from Stetson University in 1968.  For twelve (12) years after GHS closed in 1969, he rose from Dean of Students at Vero Beach Junior High and Elementary Principal Positions until he become the first African American Principal of Vero Beach High School and ultimately Assistant Superintendent of IRC Schools until his retirement in 1988.

 

His retirement was in name only because in 1988 Dr. Hudson authored the $250,000.00 grant used to help build the Gifford Community and from 1989 to 1995, Dr. Hudson was Youth Education Coordinator for the Treasure Coast, and he wrote the Alternative Education Program for IRC.  After being recruited by Dan Richardson in 1996 to assist in the building of the Gifford Youth Activities Center (GYAC), Dr. Hudson authored the 1999 $500,000.00 Kellogg’s Academic Program for Success (KAPS) grant, in collaboration with GYAC and Indian River Community College, now Indian River State College (IRSC) Trio Upward Bounds.

 

At four score and more than a decade Dr. A. Ronald Hudson is still doing administrative leadership diversity training and classroom management diversity and psychological empowerment training for teachers.  His resume shows his significant contribution to life and is resplendent with academic and professional achievements.  However, he steadfastly refuses to allow others to recognize or adorn him with ceremonial approbations, praises, honors or tributes, and adamantly objects to having his photo or name posted on anything for recognition.  In his words, “If I don’t want to look at me, why should anyone else have to?”