What Are 10 Historical Black Colleges?
Education is a key to economic, communal and personal success. Less than two centuries ago, opportunities to gain an education for slaves and the descendants of slaves were minimal at best. Over time blacks, Quakers and other people who understood and appreciated the value of education began to build colleges and universities to allow black Americans to gain a respectable education. Today, many of the more than 100 historically black colleges and universities enroll students from various races, countries, cultures and nationalities.
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History
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Most of the schools were founded after the Civil War. According to the Human Resources Office of Educational Partnerships, historically black colleges and universities enroll about 16 percent of the total number of black college and universities students throughout the United States. Despite former racial, stereotypical and economic challenges, most of the schools continue to operate successfully today. Historically black colleges and universities are amongst leading schools that employers actively recruit from for diverse and talented employee pools.
Cheyney, Spelman and Howard
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Cheyney University in Cheyney, Pa., is the oldest historically black college. It is one of the few historically black colleges and universities that was founded prior to the Civil War. The school, founded in 1837, was originally called the Institute for Colored Youth. Richard Humphreys, a Quaker, is credited with helping to start the school after he donated $10,000 to start the school for students of African descent. The school's name was changed to Cheyney University in 1983. Its website address is www.cheyney.edu.
Spelman College was founded in 1881 in Atlanta, making it the United States' first independent liberal arts college for black women. The campus sits on 32 acres and is ranked as one of the top 75 Best Liberal Arts Colleges, according to a 2007 U.S. News & World Report article. The college enrolls more than 2,000 students from around the world. Its website address is www.spelman.edu.
Howard University was founded in 1867 in Washington, D.C. The university charter was approved by President Andrew Jackson as "a University for the education of youth in the liberal arts and sciences." The school's first black president was Dr. Mordecai Wyatt Johnson. Distinguished people including President John F. Kennedy, Marion Anderson and Archbishop Desmond Tutu have appeared and spoken at the school. The school offers doctorate degrees and is considered one of the leading private schools in the country. Its website address is www.howard.edu.
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Tuskegee, Bethune-Cookman and Wilberforce
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Founded by Booker T. Washington, Tuskegee University is located in Tuskegee, Ala. Washington was the school's first president. When the school opened in 1881, it was called Normal School for Colored Teachers. Besides the school's academic achievements, the school is known for the Tuskegee Airmen, the United States' first black fighter pilot team. Its website address is www.tuskegee.edu
Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune started Bethune-Cookman University in 1904 with $1.50. The history of the school's founder and other societal contributions she made are well-respected. The school opened in Daytona, Fla., as the Educational and Industrial Training School for Negro Girls. Twenty-seven years after its inception, the school was named Bethune-Cookman College. It became Bethune-Cookman University in 2007. Its website address is www.cookman.edu
Wilberforce University is another historically black college and university that was founded prior to the Civil War. The school was founded in 1856 in Wilberforce, Ohio. The school is named after William Wilberforce, an abolitionist. Student enrollment is approximately 850. Wilberforce University has about 55 faculty members. Its website address is www.wilberforce.edu/home/home.html
Charles R. Drew, Dillard and Delaware
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Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science was founded in 1966 in Los Angeles. The school was initially called the Charles R. Drew Postgraduate Medical School. The university is named in honor of Charles Drew, a man who invented blood plasma. As noted at the university's website, Charles Drew was "director of the first American Red Cross Blood Bank." Its website address is www.cdrewu.edu
Dillard University was founded in 1869. According to the school's website, "In 2007, U.S. News & World Reports ranked Dillard among the nation's Top 10 HCBUs, based on comprehensive undergraduate studies." Located in New Orleans, Dillard University covers 55 acres. Dr. Marvalene Hughes is the school's current president. Its website address is www.dillard.edu
Delaware State University was founded in 1861. Located in Dover, the school was originally called the State College for Colored Students. It became Delaware State University in 1993. Initially the school focused on areas of study such as agriculture, engineering and science The school enrolls more than 3,000 students. Its website address is www.desu.edu
Jackson
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Jackson State University was founded in 1877. The school is located in Jackson, Miss., on 125 acres. It was initially founded as a Natchez Seminary. As noted at its website, the school states that its mission is to, "be a model urban learning community for highly motivated students from diverse backgrounds, where original research and experiential learning are integrated into rigorous and internationally prominent teaching, research and service learning programs." Its website address is www.jsums.edu
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