The McDowell times. [volume] (Keystone, W. Va.) 1904-1941, 1937-06-18
A BACKWARD GLANCE OF FIFTY YEARS OVER HIGHER
EDUCATION OF THE NEGRO
BY Kelly Miller
BY Kelly Miller

BY Kelly Miller
When entered Howard University November ISL 1880 the
gher education of the Negro then in it's infancy Il
owever lusy and insset infant full of hope and promise
Negro colege anil universities grew out of the starred Freed
mems Bureau In combination with religious phlanthropic
organizations They all from impulses were
founded about the 966lS7O and were
to the same purpose
recite chiefly experience Howard University as this
will illustrate the spirit method purpose of the others from
one learn ALL ~-
Howard University founded by General O. O. Howard
and chartered by Congress March AT the time registra
uon the University had passed through most glorious and
gamorous stage and had fallen days General Howard
had been forced Withdraw because of the evil fate which w
took the Freemans Bureau His highly peronav
personality prestige and zeal have duplicated in the in
stutos subsequent history He by John
NJ Langton as acting president but hesatng entrust col
red with such large and complicated interests the
failed to give him permanent tenure
DR. W. W. Patton to the presidency in 1877 Be
ing relatve of president Rutherford Hayes he was enabled
through his connections and influence annual
praon Of Ten thousand dollars 1oooo Federal
eminent This has been mansay and chief support of the
University throughout its subsequent history its only hope
Tor the future This appropriation of ten Thousand
as secured by President Patton 1879 increased gradually
up TO seven hundred thousand dollars O OO the present
The late Bishop W. Thired was called to the presidency
in 1907 His chief contribution consisted in securing from the
government science building Never in our history has
the Federal contributed building to an nsti
oh under private trustees This "rields Miracle" ant
LAID the foundation of the expansion in buildings and
grounds OF the present day. clmaxng dollar library
NOW under construction
Howard University differs institutions of its
CLASS chiefly that it is located the capital carries
the full quota of professional Departments enjoys
al charter and is supported by the Federal bounty.
When entered the university there was total en-
partment and sixteen the college department. 1t has consider
eh marvellous that could enter the preparatory department with
out preliminary instruction.
was the first to enter the public system established
Ply the Reconstruction the of five
IN 1868 With such preparation from the rural
schools and the arfied Institute Precyteran
Board OF Missions for Freedman enabled pre-
paraory Department with advanced standing This
the general type of Negro education in the time
The curriculum of the Preparatory Department as
that of the College Department chiefly Latin Greek
Mathmetcs and English There professors in college
only of whom curriuum was of course
not expansive that Of the present day instructors
Generated devoted the dynamic
impulsion of spiritual motive. ~--
The material outfit buildings boys
and girls dormories and building Medical The
Secretary Treasure with his assistant transacted the
entire volume of business