[1] In 1942, he joined the US Army Air Corps and served for three years in the European Theater, which he received a Bronze Star.
He then joined the faculty as an associate professor of Political Science at Memphis State University.
He then moved to Greenville, North Carolina and joined ECU faculty in 1957 and was promoted to full professor in 1961.
He then assumed many roles, including founder and first chair of the Political Science department.
Returning to the classroom for a three-year period (1979–1982), he assumed the position of Chancellor in 1982.