Tennessee State University - Tennessean Yearbook (Nashville, TN)

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THE HISTORY OF TENNESSEE STATE NORMAL SCHOOL - AGRICULTURAL AND INDUSTRIAL e UNIVERSITY The famous educational rallies, conducted throughout the State from 1907 to 1909 proclaimed the peoples general desire for expand- ed public education, including the preparation of teachers. The black citizens of Tennessee were insisting that the legislative pro- Dosals to create normal schools must include provisions for tn Preparation of black teachers, and Qt forthright compliance with the mandates of the Second Morrill Act of 1890. This early State action to legalize the separation of the black people from other ethnic groups in Public facilities eventually became all pervasive, including public pro- visions for education. One agricultural and Industrial Normal School for the industrial education of negroes tsict and for preparing negro tSict teachers for the common schools shall be established. The school thus authorized to serve the black citizens was unique in that it would Perform industrial and agricultural education functions as well as the teacher education functions. It was also unique in that it had to be established and maintained with one-half the amount of money that was made available to each of the institutions authorized at that time to serve the white citizens. The headline 0fthe Apri123, 1909, issue of Dr. Boyd's NaShville Globe clearly reflected the view: uA great vic- tory achieved; General Education Bill Passes Senate; Carries an Ap- PFODriatiOn for Negro School. William Jasper Hale The city of Chattanooga in Hamilton County came very close to becoming the home of the Tennessee Agricultural and In- destrial State Normal School. A young black man named William J asper Hale campaigned with great vigor to raise suffi- CIent funds to purchase a site and construct buildings for the proposed school. He succeeded in convincing the Hamilton County Court that the project was worth an appropriation of$75,000. The campus which is included in the corporate limits of the city begins at the intersection of Centennial Boulevard and 35th Avenue.

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Dr. Otis Floyd J13, vice-president for administration at Mid- dle Tennessee State University, assumed duties as interim presi- dent of Tennessee State University on June 16, 1986. Dr. Floyd succeeded interim president Dr. Roy F. Peterson, who has returned to the Kentucky Higher Council as an administrator. President Floyd is originally from McNairy County, Tennessee, and was born on February 16, 1928. He received his bachelofs degree in social science from Lane College, Jackson, Tenn., mastefs degree in Administration and Supervision Tennessee State University, and Doctorate degree in Administration and Supervision from Memphis State University. He served as vice president of administration at Middle Tennessee State Universi- ty since October 1984. He served as executive assistant to the president at Middle Tennessee State Universny, from 1981-1984. His wealth of knowledge in the field of education and ad- ministration has enabled him to serve as Director of Field Ser- Vices and Learning Resources, Tennessee Department of Educa- tion, 1973-1975, Deputy Commissioner of Education for Ten- nessee Department, 1975-1979 and Commissioner of Educa- tion, 1978-1979. He does not limit his expertise in education and administra- tion, but also lends himself to various community and profes- sional organizations such as the Murfreesboro Rotary Club, United Way and Guidance Center Board of Directors He is a Sunday School teacher, Scout Master, Boy Scouts and a member of the stewardship and fmance committees of the Methodist Church. He is also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, National Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development, American Association of School Administrators and Tennessee School Board Association. He was instrumental in developing various federal programs for the Hardin County.r school system. He is married and has four children 9- Reginaid, Otis III, Sylvia and Paulette.

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The ttcampusi, was barren, rockY, and ungraded. But it was an elevated site anci the location 9f Lhelfgt'st bltlildigiiriiigogigggi panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. The first buildings were a-cinaun:L or scaffgtg set; r garghouses women and men, the trades building with heating plant, residence for the 911351 ent, we at ' Thus, the president had to supply the leadership in planning for the arrival of the first students on June 19, 1912. President Hale had assembled a faculty of fourteen teachers to serve those first students who enrolled at the school. This faculty had received undergraduate degrees from some of the most highly developed private black colleges of that day: Atlanta University, Hampton Institute, Howard Univer- sity. Tuskegee Institute and Fisk University. The levels of academic preparation of the students who enrolled for the first regular session varied from fourth grade through the senior normal year. l'Ir'IIIII r'uu'. lt-ft tn I'iu'hl. I'itlunrtL ILuI'IquIHI U' H Burk rnu. Pn-az 'Wt 'I. Hdlr. Hill. is ill ll