Fayetteville State University - Fayettevillian Bronco Yearbook (Fayetteville, NC)

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Joyner Hall First School 1877-1909

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BRIEF HISTORY OF THE COLLEGE An act of the State Legislature in 1877 provided for the establishment of a normal school for Ne- groes. The Howard School in Fayetteville, which had been in existence for ten years, was selected for State support and the name was changed to State Colored Normal School. Robert Harris, who had been serving a -prrncipaTTsiJhe Howard School, remained as head of State Normal. Upoythe death of Mr. HarrisVn 1880, the chosen o head the institution. After serving as chi f administrator for three years, Ches to wri e books an rac Xe law in Cleveland. Oh Eiekiel Ezra nith ™ s next sel ted to be pHncipa] that lateted for fift Wtfs with two brief interrup ions pointedVlinister Resident and Cons l-General of :he Uni eight yeass, George H. Williams, jrtready on the f iculty, during the mar with Spain, Dr.Rjmth was called to serve unteer Infann ,and the Rgj; . E. Fairley became actirjg Lincoln UniveEgi !!! Pblms vania and a Presbyterian c .e fter twenty-five years at the Howard Schoo it Remained for only four years and was then m on Worth Street. rominent fiction writer, Charles W. Chesnutt, was lutt resigned of the school, thus beginning an association iifter his first five years, Dr. Smith was ap- ed States in Liberia. During his absence of juidedthe destinies of the institution. Again IS Adjutant of the Third North Carolina Vol- principal. Rev. Fairley was a graduate of rgyman. , State Normal was moved to Ashley Heights whWre ed bacLXo.ili«LXity and conducted in a rented lodge After more (han thirtySyears with no permanent home, Dr. Smith, aid by T. W. Thurston and other citizens raised sufficient funds to purchase fifty acres of land on IVmrchison Road. In lateJ years Dr. Smith and his wife, Mrs. Nannie L. pmith, sold and gave enough adcfitional land to increas the college holdings to over 9f acres. On this perma3Twtt-sfte the State beganyfo erect buildings representat e of a state instituti n of aigher learning. When Dr. Smith retired ir 1933 there were on the campjife eight brick building and sWeral cottages. He left an enthusiastic faculty and student body. The work of the high sjyiwol and theVNormal school was recognized by State officials as being among th« best. Dr. J. w», abrook, who h3;i- erved as Dean for eleven years, was elected to succeed Dr. Smith. Under Dr. SeaDitye lt ' o able -Teadership the institution became a four year college in 1939; eight more modern buildings were erected; the enrollment increased; the college acquired membership in the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education; and the faculty and curriculum were strength- ened. After serving as president for twenty-three years Dr. Seabrook retired. In 1956, Dr. Rudolph Jones, who was serving as dean, was elected president of the college. Dur- int the administration of Dr. Jones, two-year courses in Auto- Mechanics and Secretarial Science have been added. The curriculum has been expanded to include majors other than elementary education. Dr. Jones has secured appropriations for renovating the gymnasium and making extensive improve- ments on the grounds in the way of paved roads, parking areas, new campus lighting, and new sewer lines. In December, 1960, the college became a member of the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. The enrollment of the current year reached 1,000, the highest in the history of the institution. The college will continue to develop and to off er students enrolled all the advantages of a wholesome college life.

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Lilly Gymnasium Taylor Science Building Spaulding Infirmary