By: Lauren Spencer
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (UATV) – As the month of February and Black History Month comes to an end, take a look back on the history of black at the University of Arkansas and the legacy that continues on.
Historical dates in black history at the University of Arkansas
1871
The University of Arkansas was founded. The Arkansas General Assembly approved the establishment of a land-grant university. The university was the first state funded institution of higher education.
“To promote the liberal and practical education of the industrial classes in the several pursuits and professions of life” was stated by the first board of trustees as to why the university was established.
The university was open to all male students who had interests in areas of scientific, classical, agricultural, and mechanical arts.
1872
Seven boys and one girl attended the first day of class at the university, which was named the Arkansas Industrial University. The university charter stated that “it is open to all students regardless of race, sect, or gender.” This did not last for long.
1873
With the end of reconstruction, a democratic majority returns to the Arkansas legislature and ends enrollment of students of African American heritage. In 1875, the board of the university approved the creation of a branch in Pine Bluff for African Americans to become teachers. Jim Crow laws stay in effect throughout the remainder of this century and into the early 20th century.
1875
In 1875, the board of the university approved the creation of a branch in Pine Bluff for African Americans to become teachers. Joseph Carter Corbin was appointed as the first president of the Branch Normal College.
1927
The Branch Normal College became a dependent university and the name was changed to Arkansas Agricultural, Mechanical and Normal School. This was the second land grant school in Arkansas.
1948
Silas Herbert Hall enrolled in the School of Law. He was the first African American student to enroll at a southern university since before reconstruction. He was a graduate of the Arkansas Agricultural, Mechanical, and Normal School. Even though the university admitted him, he was taught separately and could not go to the Law Library. He was one of the six pioneers who were the first to integrate the School of Law. Others tried to enroll in undergrad, but were not allowed to since there was a facility in Pine Bluff. The law classes slowly became integrated. Hunt died of tuberculosis before finishing his law degree.
1951
The first 3 African American students graduated. Jackie Shropshire earned her law degree, Edith Irby earned a medical degree and Benjamin Franklin Lever earned his master’s degree in agronomy. Integration was still only allowed in the School of Law and the Graduate School.
1955
The university allowed the first undergraduate admission of African Americans. Maxine Sutton, Billie Rose Whifield and Majorie Wilkins were zoology and nursing students. They all played in the marching band, but were not allowed to travel off campus.
1965
Darrell Brown walked on as the first African American on the Razorback Football Team. He was a member of a group of younger students that practiced against the varsity team. He fought against racial challenges and bigotry still existent on an integrated campus. While on the practice squad he suffered an injury that made him unable to play football for the rest of his life.
1974
The first African American sorority and fraternity were established on campus. Delta Sigma Theta sorority and Omega Psi Phi fraternity were chartered on campus in 1974.
1977
Harry Budd, who was an administrator, and several students created the Inspirational Singers, now known as the Inspirational Chorale. This group was created to preserve sacred African American music.
1982
Merike Manley was crowned the university’s first African American homecoming queen.
2022
The university appoints its first black Chancellor. Charles Robinson served as interim chancellor in 2021. During his past 23 years at the university, Robinson was the African American Studies Program Director, vice provost for diversity, and provost and executive vice chancellor for academic and student affairs.
Robinson’s accomplishments at the university include leading institutional programs in diversity recruitment, student success and retention and diversity efforts. And doing this all with establishing new academic incentives and development goals to meet the needs of students.
He established many programs that helped make the university more accessible to Arkansas students. These include 2 programs designed to help underrepresented students achieve academic success in high school and college entrance preparation.
His research focuses on southern history and race relations, African American studies, sexuality in history, and civil rights. He published a book titled Remembrances in Black: Personal Perspectives of the African American Experience at the University of Arkansas, 1940s-2000s.
“I think having the first black chancellor is definitely a great thing for getting more diversity here especially with black organizations like the multicultural center and black sororities and fraternities that are growing on campus, that helps a lot” said Tyson Lucus, black senior at the University of Arkansas.
As for being black at a predominately white university, students find strength with each other.
“There’s not a lot of minorities here so being black there’s definitely a sense of community with other black students as well” said Lucas. “It’s nice to see people look like you and are from the same background and that will definitely be the support you need.”
One last Black History Month event, Untamed: Curls, Coils, and Conversations will be held on Feb. 28 in the Arkansas Union in room 403 from 6-8.
For more information on Black History Month at the University of Arkansas visit https://diversity.uark.edu/