Ronald Saunders '62

Inducted Fall 2025

As a boarding student at Fryeburg Academy, Ronald Saunders made his mark as a record-setting sprinter. In 1962, he won the 220-yard dash at the Maine State Prep School Meet and remained undefeated that spring in both the 100- and 220-yard dash events. He was also a member of the Academy’s soccer team.

Following graduation, Ronald attended Central State University in Ohio before serving his country in the U.S. Army Medical Corps from 1967 to 1969. He continued his education at the University of Pittsburgh and Penn State University, preparing for a career that would intertwine public service, civil rights advocacy, and community leadership.

Ronald’s professional life reflects a deep commitment to advancing civil rights and opportunity. He served with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (1971–1978), where his work was recognized with commendations from both the Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice. Later, at Volkswagen of America’s Westmoreland plant, he championed fair hiring practices and received national recognition for increasing opportunities for underprivileged and economically disadvantaged workers.

Throughout his career and into retirement, Ronald has been a tireless advocate for equality, education, and historical preservation. He co-founded the National Black Political Caucus (1985), has long served with the NAACP and numerous cultural organizations, and has dedicated decades to mentoring youth and advancing African American history initiatives. As President of the Dr. Edna B. McKenzie Branch of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, Ronald spearheaded the installation of the first Black History historic marker in Garrett County, Maryland, commemorating Negro Mountain as an African American historic site.

His lifetime of service has been recognized with numerous honors, including the Operation Dig Humanitarian Award (1987), the Pittsburgh Circle of Courage Award (2017), the New Pittsburgh Courier’s 50 Men of Excellence Award (2021), and the NEED Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2021, his name was inscribed in glass at the Civil Rights Memorial in the “From Slavery to Freedom” exhibit at Pittsburgh’s Senator John Heinz History Center, where he continues to serve as an advisor.

From mentoring young scholars and coaching youth athletics to preserving the legacy of African American achievement, Ronald Saunders has spent his life advancing justice, opportunity, and community. He enters the Fryeburg Academy Hall of Excellence as a true civil rights leader and living legacy.