139 Years in Memphis--A Brief History of LeMoyne Owen College [How has this Black College survived?]
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Posted By: MIISRAEL Bride on February 09, 2010 Memphis has the noteworthy honor of having one of the oldest and only black college in it's city. LeMoyne College opened it's classes in 1871. Known at that time as LeMoyne Normal and Commerical School. History indicates that the school traces it ancestry to schools for ex-slaves which was organized by members of The American Missionary Association [AMA] during the period of The Civil War. The school was later re-named. Julius LeMoyne , a Pennsylvian doctor and abolitionist donated twenty-thousand dollars to the AMA for a Freedmen's School in Memphis. Dr. LeMoyne sought that the school be conducted to giving good and pratical scientific education. Dr. Lemoyne also was credited with aiding in the Underground Railway. The first address of the school opened on October 1, 1871 in Memphis at 284 Orleans Street. At that time there was a great demand for black teachers. Operating with three divisions of normal school for teachers, a commericial and a music department the school was deemed highly for promise of higher education among blacks. Today, that reputation is still greatly renowed behind it's doors. SURVIVAL: How has this Black College survived? The school history is tremedous, and given some of it's background would take a complete book to write. The school has suffered over the years. In the fever epidemics of the 1870's with yellow fever where three members of the faculty died. In 1901 the school added a small high school and in 1914 the school moved to it's present location of 804 Walker Avenue. Later Steele Hall was built and is presently listed today in the National Register of Historic Places. In 1924 Lemoyne Owen became a junior college and the high school division continued until 1934. Also in 1934 the state chartered the school as a four-year institution granting the bachelor's degree. The first black president of the college was served by Dr. Hollis Price in 1943. Price was also a founding member of The United Negro College Fund and the first black moderator of the United Church of Christ which the AMA had be absorbed. The Tennessee Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention opend a junior college on Vance Avenued named for Rev. Samuel Agustus Owen. Owen proved to be a valued leader and educator and he later merged with LeMoyne in 1968. The college has survived many financial troubles recently in 2008 the city of Memphis conducted grants in saving the college from closings it's doors. Memphians plunged in with donations and fund rasing events to maintain the college history and also as part of Memphis Heritage. With continued education in college degrees Lemoyne-Owen College houses around 500 students, thus offering full college scholarships and tutitions. Although Memphis may be greater known by The University of Memphis, LeMoyne-Owen College has not faded into the woodwork. The survivial rate is thriving so much like many black colleges troubles come and go, but it has survived because blacks still care about education. This report is written by MIISRAEL Shields HOMETOWN MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE Source: Tennessee Encylopeidia: LeMoyne Owen College If you would like more information on The Memphis LeMoyne-Owen College Contact: Memphis LeMoyne-Owen College 804 Walker Avenue Memphis, TN or call: 901-435-1000 Visit their website at: www.stateuniversity.com If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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MIISRAEL Bride
Author/Writer, Self Academy of Art Col class of 1973 Member Since February 2008 |
Comments
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This is interesting information Irma. It's my small contribution to Black History Month. Memphis is full of history, and I was also educated at learning just a few things about how LeMoyne-Owen college has survived over a century plus! It's an amazing history. Tell you friend I'm glad they learned a bit more too! Thanks for your comment...... [Smiles for you both]
Tuesday, February 9th 2010 at 5:05PM |
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Thanks MIISREAL. You have not only educated me, but you have educated a close friend of mine who is from Memphis about this community college.(smile)
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM |
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