In his autobiography, state Sen. Fred Smith says he was asked to be roommates with the first black student at Wake Forest University.

The Republican gubernatorial candidate wrote that Dr. Mark Reese, then incoming dean of men and adviser to his fraternity, asked him to live with Ed Reynolds, a student from Ghana, during summer school in 1963.

"I admired his bravery and agreed to be his roommate," he wrote. "However, before the summer began, Ed indicated to Dr. Reese that he preferred to live alone."

Contacted by Dome recently, Reynolds said he could not recall the incident, but he said it could have happened. He added that he remembered Smith and thought well of him.

"I think he's a good man," he said.

More after the jump.

   Comments (1)

State Sen. Fred Smith's fraternity is working on his campaign.

The Kappa Alpha Order has started a Facebook group for members to help elect the former Wake Forest University member and Republican gubernatorial candidate.

"One of our own has thrown his name into the race for the 2008 NC Governor race. Spread the word to other KA's across the state and let's get this man elected!" wrote the organizers.

The group, started by two current students at Western Carolina University and Davidson College and an alumnus of UNC-Wilmington, has 52 members.

Smith, who graduated from Wake Forest in 1964, was social chair of the Tau Chapter.