Sumner High School - Maroon and White Yearbook (St Louis, MO)

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A452325 660189 LU .Carver

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DHI BEIA SIGMA Xl SCHOLASTIC ACHIEVEMENT In a day of inter-racial bitterness and hatred, accentuated by a troubled world of war and depression, the Negro, in the field of scholastic achievement and research has, at last, made a prominent niche. Some outstanding Negro scholars of na- tional repute are, most notably, Paul Robeson, world-famous baritone, who was awarded a Phi Beta Kappa Key from Rutgers University for excellence in scholarship. He was the third Negro to graduate from this college, and while there, was placed on the All- American Football Team. At his commence- ment, he participated as a speaker and was elected to the Cap and Skull , a fraternal circle of great honor, made up of four men from the senior class, who are considered the best in scholarship, athletics, and personality. Upon his return from Europe, he became a figure of national repute, and his Alma Mater conferred a degree upon him and acclaimed him one of its greatest alumni, Dr. W. E. B. DuBois, former editor of the nationally known Crisis, and Doctor of Philosophy from Har- vard University, is another widely known scholar. He was a recipient of the Springarn Achievement Award, on June 8, 1920, for the founding and calling together of the Pan- African Congress, Dr. Carter Goodwin Wood- son, Doctor of Philosophy from Harvard Uni- versity, was awarded the Springarn medal for ten years of devoted service in collecting and publishing records of the Negro in America, MAROON AND WHITE Dr. Ernest E. Just, Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Chicago, who is now head of the Howard University Medical School. He is also a recipient of the Springarn Award, for distinguished achievement in research in biology. He received a special Rosenwald Fellowship for study in the Marine's Zoologi- cal Laboratory in Naples, Italy. Among the many Honorary Scholastic Fra- ternities, the Honorary Fraternity of Phi Beta Kappa ranks high, perhaps the first, in the school of Liberal Arts. This fraternity has a very prominent Negro membership. One hundred sixteen Negroes have had this honor conferred upon them from 1874 to 1930, and in our own city we have at least seven or eight citizens who are members. Another honorary fraternity is the Order of the Corps, a fraternity that corresponds in law to Phi Beta Kappa in Liberal Arts. The most prom- inent scientific fraternity is Sigma Xi, an honorary society, which limits its membership to the best scholars in science and in scientific research. Among many others, there is Phi Kappa Epsilon, international honorary fra- ternity, Sigma Sigma, honorary medical fra- ternity, and Sigma Tau Delta, National Pro- fessional English fraternity. All of these fraternities have representative Negro mem- berships. The highest academic degree possible to ob- tain is the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, and it is interesting to note that from 1876 to 1930, lifty-three members of our race have held this degree. Many awards are given, or donated, to Negroes for excellence in scholarship, among the most prominent being the Rockefeller Scholarships and Fellowships, The Springarn Achievement Awards, the Rosenwald Scholar- ship, and Y. M. C. A. Fund, and the Juliett Dericotte Scholarship. The last is of great interest to us, because of the fact that it was awarded to a local girl recently. While the above mentioned scholarships are, primarily, for scholastic achievement, other require- ments, such as good character, citizenship, and activity are stressed. There are also many Greek letter sororities and fraternities that sponsor scholarships for worthy, needy pupils. Of interest, also, is the fact that of the hundreds of State universities and colleges in the nation, Harvard Universitv, the Univer- sity of Chicago, and Columbia University con- tribute more than fifty per cent of the gradu- ate degrees awarded in this country to Negro scholars. Margaret E. Bowles. Page Forty-nine

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as a missionary. He taught the natives to use their hands as well as their minds. This was done by teaching them how to make house furniture, wagon wheels and farming tools which were very much needed. During his twelve years in Africa, he was responsible for the establishment of schools, churches, and a very fine hospital. Today this hospital has its own trained dentists, surgeons, nurses, and medical doctors, who are administering' to the needs of their people. One of the greatest pioneers of the Negro Church was Lemuel Hayes. He was born July MAROON AND WHITE 18, 1753, at West Hartford, Conn., and be- came the first Negro pastor of a White Con- gregational church in Granville, New York. Lemuel Hayes was not only a forceful speaker but also a clear thinker. He aided George Washington by giving advice on governmental affairs. He is considered one of the greatest preachers of the colonial church. 'The Negro church will always stand as an illuminating monument dedicated to the ex- tension of God's kingdom and for the salva- tion of all mankind. Wesley East. Page Forty-seven