Roanoke Beacon
23 Jun 1899
At a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Plymouth State Normal School, colored, held on Monday, Prof. Jno. W. MCDONALD was re-elected Principal. This, we think, was a worthy compliment to a worthy man. Aside from the fact that John MCDONALD is a native of this town, who spends his time, money and talent in building up this town morally, religiously and educationally, he is a man of high character, and is acknowledged one of the leaders of education, not only by his own race but by the State, as will be seen from the fact that he has been employed by the State Board of Education to hold Institutes for colored teachers throughout the State. In this his associates are Professors. S.G. ATKINS, E.E. SMITH, and W.F. FONVILLE. Prof. MCDONALD is a graduate of Livingstone College, class of ’95, upon whom it has recently conferred the degree of Master of Arts.