Edward Lamar Cloyd was born on December 10, 1891, in Lenoir, North Carolina. He attended a private grammar school in town and went on to Lenoir High School, graduating in 1910. That same year, he entered the Agricultural and Mechanical College in Raleigh (later North Carolina State University). He received a degree of Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering in 1915. Cloyd served as secretary for his graduating class.

While at college, Cloyd's extra-curricular involvements were extensive. He played bass drum in the college marching band, played violin in the college orchestra, sang bass in the glee club, and took an active part in literary society work. Cloyd was student president of the Young Men's Christian Association and remained active in "Y" administration throughout his life. In 1954, E. L. Cloyd received a meritorious service award from the YMCA for his decades of service to the organization.

After receiving his bachelors degree, Cloyd worked briefly in local business and also served for a short time as a high school math and physics teacher in his hometown of Lenoir. During the time he taught high school, Cloyd met one of his fellow teachers, Miss Bertha Daniels of Roxboro, North Carolina. The two were married in 1916. The couple had two children, a daughter, Ann and a son, Edward Lamar Jr.

In 1918, Cloyd began his career with the North Carolina State College (later North Carolina State University) as an instructor of mechanical drawing. In 1921, he became the Dean of Students. In 1927, North Carolina State College granted Cloyd a Master of Science degree in Industrial Management. Cloyd served as Dean of Students until 1957.

As the Dean of Students, E. L. Cloyd was involved in a wide variety of professional, civic and religious groups. He was President of the National Deans and Advisors of Men, President of the North Carolina College Conference, and he served as the Raleigh Kiwanis Club President in 1935. Dean Cloyd was active in in the North Carolina Vocational Guidance Association, and he was a member of numerous collegiate fraternal and honor societies (Tau Beta Pi, Pi Kappa Pi, Pi Kappa Delta, Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Kappa Tau, Golden Chain). After retiring in 1957, Cloyd became President of the Wake County Cancer Society. A lifelong Presbyterian, Cloyd was a charter member of the West Raleigh Presbyterian Church where he served as an elder and clerk of the session.

For fifty years, E. L. Cloyd and his wife lived in their home on Hillsborough Street, directly across from the North Carolina State University campus. Always active in university affairs, Cloyd was instrumental in the development and construction of the Erdhal-Cloyd Student Union. The building is named for Dean Cloyd and the Union's first director, Jerry Erdahl.

E. L. Cloyd died on July 9, 1973.