Clark Atlanta University - Panther Yearbook (Atlanta, GA)

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CLARK COLLEGE: HISTORY AND HERITAGE In 1869 in a sparsely furnished room in Clark Chapel Methodist Church in the Summerhill section of Atlanta, former slaves—freedmen—studied not only primary and preparatory material, but teaching and ministry. Children and adults of all ages learned their course matter at Clark University (as it was then called), and they learned of life filled with hope and opportunity. Named for Bishop Davis W. Clark, first president of the Freedmen's Aid Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Clark University, operated under the auspices of the Society, was among the first institutions established by religious denominations after the Civil War to provide negroes with formal education. Moving to its second site at Whitehall and McDaniel Streets in 1872, Clark Uni- versity remained there until 1881, at which time it moved to a 450-acre site in south Atlanta. With this change in location, the institution began to realize some of the aspirations of its founders and was chartered in 1877. Clark conferred its first degree in 1883. In the same year, The Clark University Theological School became Gammon Theological School under a new Dean, and in 1888 became independent as Gammon Theological Seminary. The ties between the University and the Seminary have remained strong throughout the years. In 1920, Clark offered the standard curriculum of the period and the region. Continuous efforts were made during the following decade to strengthen and in- vigorate the academic program. As a result, courses and whole departments were deleted and new ones introduced. During the period 1935 to 1939, decisions were made and plans developed to have Clark join the Atlanta University Center complex for the purposes of coopera- tion, economy, and efficiency, and to strengthen its library and other academic facilities. In 1940, the name was changed from Clark University to Clark College and work was begun on an entirely new physical plant adjoining the campuses in the University Center complex (Atlanta University, Morris Brown, Spelman and Morehouse Colleges). Clark College moved to its present location in 1941 under the leadership of President james P. Brawley. The move to the new physical plant, along with aca- demic development, brought Clark College a Class-A rating from the Southern As- sociation of Colleges and Schools. In 1957, Clark was among the first Negro col- leges admitted to membership by this regional accrediting agency. Originally established for the special training of colored people for teachers and the work of the ministry , the Clark College of today embraces the challenge of a dynamic society to an institution of higher learning: to provide the student population with the highest quality education needed to participate as productive, creative, economically and socially responsible citizens in a demanding and evolv- ing society. Clark's acceptance of the challenge is manifested in a progressive cur- riculum which includes a liberal arts core and general education, humanities, natu- ral science and mathematics, and socio-cultural studies. It is also manifested and perpetuated by its heritage of successful graduates whose accomplishments con- tinue to illuminate the spirit and the life of the college and the goals and aspirations of each and every entering class. 2 vii

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TABLE OF CONTENTS CLASS SECTIO AXVSENIORS ? UNDERCLASSM CLOSING SECTI ALUMNI PROFII EPILOUGE

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THE OLD CLARK UNIVERSITY CAMPUS Thayer Home