Prairie View A and M University - Pantherland Yearbook (Prairie View, TX)

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The second Yearbook, or annual, produced at Prairie View was also titled “The Prairie” and came out in 1926. It is to this book that we dedicate this issue. The picture across the top of these pages was also taken in the 1925-26 school year. It depicts the entire student body of the time. The full color picture, left, is our attempt at imitating the original above it. It seems that we had the wrong equipment. There’s only one camera that does the job and its type was discontinued in ... 1926. There are still some around and further attempts will be made at Prairie View, to do what they did better then. ----Angela Wilson

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Ocn Stosuf 000 On April 19, 1876 Governor Oran M. Roberts approved and signed the Legislative Act that created and established Prairie View as a branch of the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas. Founders Day is celebrated on March 11, marking that triumphant day 'in 1878 when Prairie View’s doors were finally opened. Records are unclear as to who performed the duty of determining and securing a place for the institution ordered by the legislative act, but it is assumed that W. E. Minor of Mississippi was appointed by the Board of Directors to do this. He visited and chose this site which was then called Alta Vista and was formerly the Kirby plantation. In fact the Old Kirby Building served the purpose of dormitory, laundry; recitation room and — all in the dawning of Prairie Views day. Prairie View’s early years were dominated by the concentration of Agricultural study. The school never had an enrollment of over 140 pupils annually in the first 17 years of its existence. This is because in those days many students were given employment to pay for part of their education, and until 1909 most employees were appointed by the state. After 1909 enrollment increased because the funds for the “appointment system” were abolished by the Twenty-sixth Legislature. In 1917 the record enrollment so far was over 925 students. This information was included in the first Yearbook produced at Prairie View. This was the 1917 edition of “The Prairie . It was also said in that book that the name of our school was “coined” when W. E. Minor and Richard “Dad” Wells were taken in by the view of the surrounding prairie from their vantage point in the attic of the old Kirby Hall. 2 Introduction

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Our Story Continues • • • L. W. Minor was selected ns the first principal of Prairie View by Thomas S. Gathright of Texas A M. On March 11. 1878, Professor Minor enrolled eight young men os the first Negro students to enter a state-supported college in Texas. However, the school was forced to close the next term due to lack of students and funds. E. H. Anderson, minister-teacher of Memphis and Fisk Univ., became the second principal when the school re-opened October 6,1879 with an initial 36 students. E H. Anderson was plagued by economic distress and conflicting laws, however, he saw Prairie View through the storms until his death on Oct. 28, 1885 at 35. L. C. Anderson became the third principal when his brother died. During his 10 years the Agriculture and Mechanical and girl's industrial departments were added, as well ns many other improvements. He was a leader in his profession and worked untiringly. He also founded the Colored Teachers Assoc, in Texas. E. L. Blackshoar was elected the fourth principal in 1895, and brought what he learned in public school work and from Booker T. Washington. Mr. Washington addressed the first commencement. During his 20 years the school expanded vastly and intercollegiate athletics was introduced. i. M. Terrell, the fifth principal, came from Fort Worth in 1915. During his three years physical improvements were made despite the world war. The first ROTC was introduced in 1918 and later the Cooperative Extension. J. G. Osborne became the sixth principal in 1918 after acting as such. A medical doctor, he strengthened the Natural Science offering and created the nursing Division. The campus was expanded further and the four-year senior college was begun. W. R. Banks became the seventh, and last principal in 1926, ending a 70-year era that shaped the Prairie View of today. Mr. Banks retired in August, 1947 as Principal Emeritus, after accomplishing major physical and educational improvements. He witnessed two name changes and increased the school's status and efficiency, making possible certain master's degrees. The eighth pictured here. Dr. E. B. Evans, was a principal but his title became President in 1948 and there have been three presidents since. J. M. Drew (1966), A. 1. Thomas (1966 - 1982), and Dr. Percy A. Pierre (1983 - ). The campus builds and the era of presidents goes on.