The Tougaloo College

The Tougaloo College

In the year 1869, the number of black slaves who had just received their freedom received yet another token condolence. The New York American Missionary Association decided to build a college for the freed slaves. In addition, they wanted to assist their children to have a better future that the parents did not have. In this, the association bought 500 acres of land from one of the owners of the biggest plantations during that time. Luckily enough, the purchased land had some buildings which were converted into classrooms. The college was launched immediately. In the following year, the expansion begun as the Washington hall was built. In addition, another building was built that contained the dining hall, dormitories and the laundry (Lowe 488).

The United States of America catered for the cost of construction. The government also provided funds to cater for the development of the farm in the plantation. This was an efficient way of bringing sustainability to the farm because the development of the farm and livestock would benefit the school by reducing costs. The college was granted a formal charter in recognition as a credible university in the year 1871. In addition, the university was then named as Tougaloo University (Lowe 490). In consideration to the economic status of the attendees, the school charged very little fees for tuition purposes. Some students laboured in the school farm as payment for tuition, while those who could afford 1$ monthly paid their tuition. Tutors in the school were paid by the United States government.

However, the institution was not a university in every sense of the word. Rather, it just provided black slaves basic education. In addition, the teachers were African American students who were lucky in life. However, the economic situation at the school was difficult because they relied on donations. At some point, these problems had escalated to the extent of an impending foreclosure. Teacher’s salaries, desks and other important student aids were scarce causing complications. The superintendent of education had to step in and donate about 4000 to cater for the expenses (Covington and Mary 49). The school also got upgraded to normal school.

After the upgraded, the State also provided remuneration to student volunteers as well as scholarships to every county. Every county had the opportunity to send two students on scholarship to the newly upgraded university. Every year the university senate of Tougaloo upgraded it by adding more departments, buying more learning equipments and increasing the number of students. By the year 1873, the university had already launched a theology department for Christian students. Further, the university had also introduced industrial courses into the curriculum (Covington and Mary 44).

The university merged with the southern Christian institute in the year 1954. After the theology department was launched at the university, the school became an ideal college for theology students (Lowe 500). Later, the established southern Christian college merged with the university because they had so much in common. Since the two had the same ideals, merging would be beneficial and would increase their efficiency in delivering quality education. Currently, the school is run by first female president, who is also the thirteenth, Dr. Wade Hogan Beverly. Since she became the president in 2002, the school has increased its enrolment rates as well as retention rates.

 

 

Works Cited

Covington, Morris, and Mary S. Covington. A historical calendar of Tougaloo College. London: Oxford University Press, 1987. Print.

Lowe, Maria R.. “An “Oasis Of Freedom” In A “Closed Society”: The Development Of Tougaloo College As A Free Space In Mississippi’s Civil Rights Movement, 1960 To 19641.” Journal of Historical Sociology 20.4 (2007): 486-520. Print.

 

 

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