The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1939-11-25
DONALD WHITE.
{. SAUNDERS
GET LICENSE

A challenge to young Negroes
who desire training along specific
line but hesitate to secure such be-
cause Of belief that there will be
no opening for them within par
ticulsr field came this week as the
result Of an interview with Donald
+. White, Miehigan's first licensed
Negro architect by a reporter of
the Michigan Chronicle.
Mr. White told the following
story: In the engineering labora-
tories OF the University OF Michi-
gan group OF technical students
paused over their side rules in 1929.
Most Of them were discussing the
football team and its fortunes but
my fellow student. Ernest Saunders,
and I were discussing the needs OF
the Negro for trained architects and
engineers.
We faced the problem of aequir-
ing initial practical experience; how
we were to become certified by the
proper city and state authorities;
how we were to actually work on
the many types OF construction
found in modern practice; how we
-4pe#e-te- see supervision opera
tons.
Today, ten years after this con-
versation, marks a decade of striv.
ing for the final achievement, the
receipt Of our licenses as licensed
architects and the establishment Of
Offices in the Michigan Chronicle,
268 Eliot.
During the ten years have
travelled to Texas. Oklahoma,
Louisiana, Arkansas. Mexica, and
the southeastern states studying
architectural construction as prac-
ticed there. My associate, Ernest
Saunders. travelled east to the At !
lantic seaboard where he worked in
various phases OF building construc-
ton and civil engineering.
The first Negro licensed to prac-
tice architecture by examination in
Michigan studied his trade for FIVE
years at the University OF Michigan
from which school he received his
Bachelor and Master or Arts degree
in architecture.
In Texas, he explained, Il worked
on the design OF Anderson Hall,
freproof girls dormitory; assisted
with the maintenance construction
OF Prairie View State college. In
Alabama l worked as associate
architect for the design and con-
struction OF gymnasium building
for Alabama State Teachers Col
lege located at Montgomery" Mr..
White also related his supervision
OF the construction Of numerous
Of small residential and>commercial
structures and a number OF build
ings at Tuskegee institute,
r.. His most recent assignment was
that OF Assistant Resident Engineer
Inspector for the federal govern
ment on the new $4,000, 900 Detroit
Sewage Disposal Plant.
Saunders, Whites partner, re-
ceived his engineering al the IT,
OF M. and his exceptional ability is
reported to have opened up work
with the Department Of Engineering
Research. -
Following graduation he served
with the Connecticut Geodetic Surf
vey working in the capacity of as
sistant chief OF party, reconnais-
sanee engineer, and chief computer.
In Alabama he worked as civil en-
gineer for Tuskegee having personal
charge Of building construction.
These and other associations have
given him an ingenious insight into
many problems arising in the field
OF engineering Saunders is a mem
Der of both the National Technical
Association and the Connecticut
Society Of Civil Engineers.
White is also a member Of the
National Technical Association and
the Michigan Society Of Architects,
Such associations assist us in
in constant contact with
current professional practices and
trends" Mr.. White stated, conclud-
ing the interview, vi