Morgan State University - Promethean Yearbook (Baltimore, MD)

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THE SPENCERIAN 1937 The History of the College The free, educated Negroes, those who had been given their freedom or had acquired it, were swamped with crowds wanting to learn. How could this hunger be satisfied? Manifestly by supplying intellectual food. What the menu should be, and how it should be served, were questions of the most baffling sort. Morgan College was chartered in 1867 as the Centenary Biblical Institute, in answer to the pleas of free Negroes who were crying in the desert of ignorance for knowledge. Using the lecture rooms of churches as classroom, suitable instruction was given somewhat irregularly. On October 9, 1869, the school was formally opened at 44 East Saratoga Street, with the Rev. J. Emory Round as Principal. The original purpose of the school was that of preparing young men for the Christian ministry. When the building at 44 East Saratoga Street became too small to accom- odate the classes, a lot was given at the corner of Fulton and Edmondson Avenues by Dr. and Mrs. John F. Goucher. A commodious stone building was erected on this site, the cornerstone being laid June 16, 1880. As time went on, it was found necessary to make additions to the curriculum of the school. Especially were normal and academic subjects added, and soon young women were admitted as students. In 1890, Dr. Littleton F. Morgan, former presi- dent of the Board of Trustees, gave a considerable sum of money to the school, thus enabling it to offer college training. The name of the school was then changed to Morgan College, its present designation. In the course of time the Edmondson Avenue site became inadequate for the purposes of the institution. After years of searching, much delay and many disap- pointments, a tract known as the Ivy Mills property, located on Hillen Road and Arlington Avenue, in Govans section of the City of Baltimore, was purchased. Title was taken to this property in June, 1917. The right of the school to own and occupy this property was contested by real estate dealers and others, the action being carried through all the courts of the State. The trustees won every point in the case or suit. In September, 1919, the Morton estate, adjacent on the south side of the Ivy Mills property, was also purchased. With the purchase of the Morton estate the institution was moved to its present site—on Hillen Road northward beyond Lake Montebello among the graceful hillsides alternating with winding vales and a roll- ing countryside dotted with tall maples and lindens overlooking silvery lakes. The presidents of the Centenary Biblical Institute and its successor, Morgan Col- lege, have been: J. Emory Round, D. D., 1869—1882 W. Maslin Frysingcr, D. I)., 1882—1888 John F. Wagner, D. D., 1888—1901 Chas. Edmund Young, D. D., (acting), 1901—1902 John 0. Spencer, Ph. D., LL.D., 1902 10

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THE SPENCERIAN 1937 BOARD OF TRUSTEES Rev. Chaki.es W. Baldwin, D.D.. President Mr. H. Milton Wagner, Vice-President Professor Carri ncton L. Davis Secretary Mr. John S. Deale Treasurer John 0. Spencer, President of the College. Member ex-officio 1936 Rev. H. W. Burgan, D.D., Washington, D. C. Bishop Edwin H. Hughes, D.D., Washington, D. C. John T. Gibson, Esq., Philadelphia, Pa. William A. Warcld, M.D., Washington, D. C. George W. Bowles, M.D., York, Pa. Hon. Thomas J. S. Waxier Baltimore, Md. 1937 George W. F. McMechcn, Esq., Baltimore, Md. Rev. David 11. Hargis, D.D., Wilmington, Del. Rev. Charles W. Baldwin, D.D., Baltimore, Md. Mr. II. Milton Wagner, • Baltimore, Md. Rev. Albert J. Mitchell, D.D., Baltimore, Md. Mr. H. M. St. Clair, Sr., Cambridge, Md. 1938 Bishop Ernest G. Richardson, D.D., LLD., Philadelphia, Pa. Bishop Matthew W. Clair, D.D., LL.D., Covington, Ky. Mr. Herbert S. Wilson, Upper Hill, Md. Mr. Charles H. Colbourne, Wilmington, Del. Professor Carrington L. Davis, Baltimore, Md. Mr. John S. Deale, Baltimore, Md. 1939 lion. Morris A. Soper, Baltimore, Md. Rev. M. J. Naylor, D.D., Baltimore. Md. Mr. A. E. 0. Munsell, Baltimore, Md. Elwood W. Melson, Esq., Wilmington, Del. Mr. James M. llepbron, Baltimore, Md. Miss Ida R. Cummings, Baltimore, Md. Trustees Emeritus Rev. John H. Nutter, D.D., Laurel, Del. Mr. George 1. Simms, Baltimore, Md. Rev. Vaughan S. Collins, D.D., Wilmington, Del. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE II. W. Burgan, Chairman Elwood W. Melson Ida R. Cummings John S. Deale M. J. Naylor, Secretary II. Milton Wagner Charles W. Baldwin George W. F. McMcchen Herbert S. Wilson AUDITING COMMITTEE Charles W. Baldwin Albert J. Mitchell INVESTMENT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE Charles W. Baldwin John S. Dcale George W. F. McMechcn H. Milton Wagner M. J. Naylor Morris A. Soper Carrington L. Davis James M. Hcpbron 9

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THE SPENCERIAN 1937 11