Howard University - Bison Yearbook (Washington, DC)

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IIIE It I SO 19 3 1 Historical Sketch of Howard University Vfl|N the face of discouraging pessimism of Ins friends, u is a tribute to the I memory and unceasing efforts of General Oliver Otis Howard, distin I guished military leader of the Civil War and philanthropist, that in 1X67 he should be instrumental in founding a university which on March 2. 1 01. celebrated its sixty fourth anniversary This university, unique in its purpose and relation to the f ederal Government, has through this long space of years sent forth more than 8.094 graduates to every State in the Union, as well as to other countries ol the world. 1 he University, whose purpose is primarily to train leaders of the Negro race in the various arts and professions, was conceived in a prayer meeting for mission in the First Congregational Church of Washington. I). C.. on Mon day. November 20. 1 866 It was the proposal of Dr. D. B. Nichols that the institution should be named lor the ' American philanthropist the commissioner of the Freed men's Bureau, the true friend of the downtrodden and oppressed of every color and nation of the earth. General Oliver Otis Howard Fhc first years of the existence of Howard University were years of excite ment and untold disappointment. It appeared that the great project of Negro education would fail But the marvelous faith of its supporters and the un ceasing labors of its friends helped the University to remain intact and enter upon a period of steady, although slow, growth I he University opened in a rented frame building with four students on May I. 1867 The finances which sustained the work of this decade, begun on that date, were received purely by accident. But by I87i the Irustees received aid from the Frcedmen's Bureau which, with the help of that money gained from the sale of much of the original land cleared the University of debt and started an endowment tund But the panic of IX7J materially influ enccd Howard University and necessitated the reduction of salaries and the closing of several of rile University departments. However, in 1877 the Um versity recovered, and began the period of expansion that in 1 is culminat ing in a constructive program of vast proportions. I he first president to inaugurate the period of development and expan ‘ion was Dr W Patton, whose reorganization of the University was con tinned by his successor President I I Rankin With the administration of President I hirkield. who succeeded Dr John Gordon upon his resignation, pursued a policy of material expansion. Ihs policy was further continued lay ten

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I II E li I S O A :i I The Long Walk And who of us have never trod I he Long Walk down to Mam. And lingered on us beaten pail) In sunshine and in rain ' When winter lay upon the hill. And cheerless was the day. When weird and chilly blew the wind As we went down the way; When spring the leafing trees did bud. When blossoms first broke through On bush and bough and tulip beds I hat they might live anew When autumn brought her tinted leaves I o strew the rugged walk. While some did loiter there to amuse And some to quietly talk ' And who of us have ever thought I he Long Walked played a part— And knew one-half possessed a laugh. The other a broken heart rtitur I dna Burk f

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7 II E II I S O 10 3 I Dr Stephen M. Newman and Dr. .1 Stanley Durkee. who were elected to the presidency in turn It was during the administration of the latter I‘ 18-1926. that the collegiate and professional divisions of the University were reorganized with advanced standards, the secondary schools of the University were dim inated entirely, and a new dining hall and gymnasium-armory stadium erected. On dune 0. 1926. Dr Mordccai Wyatt Johnson was elected to the presi denev of the University. Since the beginning of his administration the Medical School Building has been completed and a Medical School Endowment Fund has materialized Other physical features cf the University have been added: Three women's dormitories are now under construction: plans lor a chemistry building have been completed, and appropriations have been authorized towards the construction of other plants as well as the grading and beautification of the campus. Dr. Johnson has not limited himself to the improvement ot the physical plant, but has been engaged in a survey of the internal organization of the Uni versity. enlargement of its faculties, and further standardization of the oduca tional resources The School of Law has been reorganized and established on a full-time dav school basis, the conditions acceptable to the American Association of Law Schools, thus giving Howard University tin only first class law school for Negroes in the United States. The College of Dentistry has been organized and transformed from a three year school with a low entrance requirement and operating under a vice dean to a four-year school based upon two years of college work as entrance requirement and with an enlarged faculty that brings it to a state of efficiency which fully meets the requirements of the State of New York, the most exact ing State in the Union in regard to us dental requirements. I he faculties of the under graduate divisions have been practically dou bled, thus relieving a terrible strain upon the professors and making possible more effective relationship between faculty members and students During the administration the Congress ot the United States passed a measure authorizing annual appropriations to the University. Previously the Federal appropriation was generally held up on a technicality The present support of the University is supplied by appropriations from the Federal Government, student fees, income from endowment and philan throptc contributions. In the fifth year of Ins administration Dr. Johnson secured $1,760,000 from the Federal Government and more than $2,000,000 from private philanthropy. Numbered among recent gifts are $2 0.000 from the General Fducation Board toward a half million dollar Medical F.ndowmcnt. a like amount being contributed by alumni and friends of the University: SH0.000 from the Gen flti'tn