Ralph Bunche
Nobel Peace Prize Winner and Professor
1903 - 1971
- Born on August 7, 1903 in Detroit, Michigan. His family moved several times and finally moved to Los Angeles, California.
- Ralph attended high school in Los Angeles where he was a star athlete and graduated valedictorian of his senior class.
- He attended UCLA on an athletic scholarship and played on three southern conference championship basketball teams.
- Ralph Bunche graduated from UCLA magna cum laude and valedictorian with a degree in political science.
- He received a scholarship to Harvard to pursue graduate studies and completed a Ph.D. in political science.
- Dr. Ralph Bunche joined Howard University to establish and direct a department of political science. He served Howard University in this capacity and as a professor until 1950.
- In 1941, Dr. Ralph Bunche was appointed Chief Research Analyst for the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the Office of Strategic Services.
- In July 1945, Dr. Ralph Bunche became the first African - American to head a division of the Department of State.
- Dr. Ralph Bunche became director of the trustee division in the United Nations in 1945.
- In December 1947, he became Principal Secretary of the United Nations' Palestine Commission. In this capacity he drafted the United Nations' Partition Plan for Palestine.
- Dr. Ralph Bunche's efforts, diligence, dedication and tenacity helped bring peace to the Middle East.
- In May 1969, Ralph Bunche Hall was dedicated at UCLA in his honor.
- Dr. Ralph Bunche was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1950.
- Dr. Ralph Bunche served as Undersecretary General for Special Political Affairs of the United Nations from 1958 until 1971.
- Dr. Ralph Bunche died on December 9, 1971.
- People worldwide recognized Dr. Ralph Bunche as a great peacemaker and a tremendous asset to human kind.