John Ambrose Ramsey of Moore County, NC, entered the University in 1806 and was a member of the Philanthropic Society. According to Battle, Ramsey, "a former student of high rank," received an "honorary" BA at the 1811 Commencement, there being no other graduates that year (1:186). In 1816 Ramsey received an MA from the University. From 1814 to 1820 and again in 1823 he represented Moore County in the NC House of Commons.