Dr. Oscar L. Prater was born in Sylacauga, Ala., on Feb. 13, 1939. He was one of five children born to the union of Ollie and Margie Prater.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Talladega College in 1961; a Master of Arts from Hampton University; and a Master of Science and Doctorate in Education from the College of William and Mary. He was a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. and Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity (The Boulé).
A renowned educator and administrator, Dr. Prater was known for his unwavering commitment to historically Black colleges and universities. Highlights of his long and distinguished career include serving as the sixth president of Fort Valley State College from 1990 to 2001 and as the 19th president of Talladega College from 2005 to 2007. He also had diverse leadership roles at Hampton University, including vice president and special assistant to President William R. Harvey. Dr. Harvey and Dr. Prater, who were classmates and basketball teammates at Talladega College, are among the institution’s 17 graduates who went on to become college presidents. Dr. Prater was a dedicated educator and a contributing author of “The Status of Blacks in Higher Education” (1989). During his tenure as president of Talladega College, he established the Talladega Walk of Fame outside historic Swayne Hall and helped increase the institution’s stability.
