Howard University - Bison Yearbook (Washington, DC)

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1 wonder if you have caught the full significance of your cheerful acquiesence to the President's recommendation! Not only have you revealed your own fine spirit, given to the University her greatest opportunity, and sent a challenge to the whole race, but you have done something greater: you have left a tradition of unselfishness, of large vision, which will, for many years, become a rebuke to those who sock only their personal gain, and an inspiration to those who would give their lives in largest service for others. The past history of the Academy has been a remarkable hismry. I read with wonder the devotion of those early teachers who literally spent their lives for its success. I marvel at the consecration of these who turned from fields offering far greater personal advancement, that they might be c hie test in service. To them belongs that phrase of the Hebrew writer, “Of whom the world is not worthy. Now, their task is completed. The Academy ceases with this scholastic year, even though its numbers and influence place it at the apex of its usefulness and power. It ceases only in the sense that it merges into the larger life of the University and the whole race. It lives yet in the men and women who now bcome the leaders and pioneers of the race. To it belongs the encomium,— Well done. All Hail, Howard Academy! Art rt rale. THE C.IRI.S’ HA TT A LI ON

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FAREWELL MESSAGE By J. Stanley Durkee, A. M. PH. D., President You ask for a message from your President that you may print it in your Academy Year Book, well knowing that such a message must be Hail and Farewell ' I would wonder at your request, did 1 not know your remarkable spirit. By recommendation of your President, the Academy is to lie discontinued with this present scholastic year. You are printing your last Year Book. Why have you not turned to criticize and condemn your President, rather than ask him for a farewell message? Ah, in that I discover your great life purpose. You have seen that by discontinuing the Academy here, thus plat ing Howard University in her true academic position, you are contributing to the greatest good of the largest number. You are willing to cease as a School, that the whole race may have a genuine University, soon qualified to take her rightful place beside any similar institution in America. In other words, you have refused to allow your personal wishes to block the progress of the University and thus of the whole race. In this, you reveal those great qualities of mind and heart which prophesy for you a great future. The world’s Master Man said,—he who would be chiefest must be servant of all. You have chosen the path of greatest service for all. and so are following up to the chief seats among those who are to help forward the world’s redemption by real Christian brotherhood. STAFF OF THE S. A. T. C.

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THE ACADEMY HISTORICAL Charles Sumner Syphax, A. P.., LL. M. The supreme aim of the founders of Howard University was to “educate youth in the liberal arts and sciences, ' or as General O. 0. Howard stated the aim in I860, “to furnish the means of general and professional culture to all. whether white or colored, male or female, who should seek its advantages.” Liberal culture involves a basic training which looks forward to further achievement. The degree and efficiency of higher achievement is directly related to the thoroughness and soundness of the foundation. Realizing the nature of higher education, and the importance of the fullest preparation for its successful pursuit, the Trustees of Howard University lost no time after the incorporation ol' the University by Congress, March 2, 18G7 in setting up the machinery for the secondary education of colored youth. There were at the time no existing agencies taking proper care of this pressing need of the race. The necessities ol the war demanded prompt action. A newly emancipated people were hungering and thirsting after education. Primary and grammar schools were being opened throughout the States for the benefit of a class, hitherto wholly deprived of educational advantages. The duty of making adequate provision for meeting this situation and for laying a sure foundation for achievement in the liberal arts became an un-escapable duty of Howard. Therefore, May 1. 1867 precisely fifty-nine days after charter day of the University, the Normal and Preparatory Department of Howard University felt its first heart throb. At once it began its mission with two distinct objectives in view, (a) teacher training and (b) college fitting. The first catalogue made this announcement:—“This Department is designed to give a thorough preparation to those who wish to pursue a collegiate course, as well as to furnish normal training to those who desire to enter at once upon the work of teaching.” The opening of the Normal and Preparatory Department was the first step taken by the Trustees towards academic work at Howard University. For this purpose a building was rented and fitted up on Seventh Street, now Geor; ia Avenue. In the meantime, the present location of the 10