Howard University - Bison Yearbook (Washington, DC)

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“HAEC MEMINISSE IIJVABIT” E3E3 Let u a- members of the class of I pause for a moment in our gayctv ami think just what our class represents. Have you ever thought that we are the Semi-centennial class of Howard Academy? A little n rc than fifty years ago a group of men sat in a meeting room of the Columbia Law Building discussing just how to help the negroes made free men by the Emancipation Proclamation. » ne man. who had been present at a theological examination at Wavland Insti-tute that afternoon had been so impressed with the progress the young colored men had made under adverse circumstances, expressed a desire that the Congregational Church should establish a theological school in order to give capable young colored men a chance to help their les fortunate brothers in the South The new school opened with three chairs of instruction: Evidences of Christianity and Biblical Interpretation. Biblical Hi'tory and Geography, and natomy and Physiology. In the meantime, it was decided to enlarge the -cope of the school and call it the Theological and Normal Institute. Finally when a committee was called upon to obtain a chart ! from Congress. General . ». Howard moved that the charter h trade to embrace university nrivilrgrvs. and that the school include not only a theological and normal department, hut also a medical, a law, a collegiate, an agricultural, and a preparatory department as well. It was a university, but a nameless one. It was finally christened Howard I niversitv for General O. O. Howard. Gen. Howard did not believe himself worthy of the honor, but said that he thought the name an appropriate one for it -uggested John Howard—the Eng li-b philanthropist—and the true friend of the down-trodden and oppressed of every color and nation of the earth. This year is the fiftieth year of the existence of Howard Ini versity. The University stands pre-eminently a the greatest factor in the education of the colored youth. It1' students come from the “ends of the earth’ attracted by its uplifting, cultured atmosphere, it superior advantages, and its broadening influence. 'IV members f the class • f '1 are proud « f their lnia Mater, and justly so—for it has graduated many well-known and many noble men and women Let us in the years to come remember that wc are. in a measure, custodians of Howard's honor, and let strive to keep our aspirations pure, our purpose sincere, and our ideals ennobling, that we liny do nothing that will sully Howard’s fair name.