Black Student Enrollment At Princeton University: The Numbers

Princeton University is a higher education institution located in Mercer County, New Jersey. The University strives for a diverse student body at both the graduate and undergraduate levels, as well as on faculty and staff. In 2022, the University had a total enrollment of 8,842 students, of which 6.42% were Black or African American. This includes both full-time and part-time students as well as graduate and undergraduate students. The University does not have any official statistics regarding the ethnic breakdown of its Black classes, but according to a 2007 study, 41% of Black first-year students attending Ivy League schools were immigrants or the children of immigrants.

Black students make up 6.42% of Princeton University's student population

The racial and ethnic composition of Princeton University's student population is predominantly white, with 34.6% of students identifying as white. However, it is important to note that the university has a diverse student body, with a significant number of students from various racial and ethnic backgrounds.

In 2022, 6.42% of the total student population at Princeton University identified as Black or African American. This percentage translates to approximately 569 students, based on the university's total enrollment of 8,842 students in the same year. This number includes both full-time and part-time students, as well as graduate and undergraduate students.

The racial and ethnic diversity at Princeton University is considered below average when compared to other institutions. The university strives to foster a diverse and inclusive community and conducts annual analyses of data and trends to evaluate its diversity and inclusion efforts. These evaluations help identify areas for improvement and ensure that all members of the community feel included and respected.

While the university does not provide official statistics on the ethnic breakdown within the Black student population, anecdotal evidence suggests that a significant proportion of Black students at Princeton are children of immigrants or immigrants themselves. This dynamic has reportedly led to feelings of isolation among some domestic Black students, particularly those who are generational African Americans, whose families have lived in the United States for generations.

To address these challenges and promote unity within the Black community at Princeton, students have established organisations such as the Generational African American Students Association (GAASA). The association aims to cultivate a sense of community among African-American students, celebrate their culture and history, and encourage solidarity among individuals of African descent on campus.

The first African American admitted to Princeton in the 20th century was Bruce M. Wright, in 1935

In 1935, Bruce M. Wright became the first African American to be admitted to Princeton University in the 20th century. However, upon his arrival at the university, Wright was sent home as his race became apparent. This incident is emblematic of the racial discrimination prevalent during that era and highlights the challenges faced by African Americans seeking educational opportunities.

Wright's admission to Princeton was a significant milestone, but his experience also underscores the complexities and obstacles of racial integration in higher education. At the time, Princeton had a significant population of students from the South, and the university administrator's letter to W.E.B. Du Bois in the early 20th century sheds light on the prevailing mindset: "We have never had any colored students here...it is possible...that Negro students would find Princeton less comfortable than some other institutions." This quote reveals a reluctance to embrace diversity and a concern for the comfort of white southern students, which ultimately led to Wright being denied his rightful place at the university.

Despite this setback, Wright went on to achieve remarkable success. He graduated from Lincoln University, a historically black institution founded by Princeton alumni, and later earned a law degree from New York Law School in 1950. His perseverance and determination led to a distinguished career in law, including several judgeships and his election to the Supreme Court of the State of New York.

Wright's story is a testament to his resilience and character. It also serves as a reminder of the injustices and barriers faced by African Americans in higher education. Princeton has since recognized its past mistakes and honored Wright during the 2001 Class Day exercises, making him an honorary member of the Class of 2001. This gesture, while important, cannot undo the past but stands as a symbol of reconciliation and a commitment to creating a more inclusive future.

Wright's experience at Princeton in 1935 was a pivotal moment in the university's history, forcing it to confront its biases and begin the journey toward becoming a more diverse and equitable institution. While there is still progress to be made, Princeton, along with other universities, continues to strive for a truly inclusive community that fosters excellence for all its members.

The first African American to receive a degree from Princeton was Rev. Irwin William Langston Roundtree, who received a Master of Arts in 1895

The first African American to receive a degree from Princeton was Rev. Irwin William Langston Roundtree, who received a Master of Arts degree from the College of New Jersey (as Princeton University was then known) on June 12, 1895.

Roundtree was born in Georgia between 1855 and 1865 and may have been born into slavery. He was, in fact, the only person known to have attended the institution who was previously enslaved. Roundtree's degree was not only a significant milestone for Princeton but also a powerful statement against racial discrimination.

The path to earning a degree from Princeton as an African American was not without challenges and obstacles. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Princeton's administration, notably including President Woodrow Wilson, actively worked to exclude and erase the presence of Black students from the university's institutional memory. This was despite the fact that James McCosh, who served as president from 1868 to 1888, defended the presence of Black students at Princeton.

It is important to note that while Roundtree was the first African American to receive a degree from Princeton, he was not the first to attend the university. Abraham Parker Denny (A.M. 1891) and James Monroe Boger (A.M. 1893) were both African American alumni of Lincoln University who earned master's degrees from the College of New Jersey. Additionally, three African American men, John Quaumino (also known as Quamine), Bristol Yamma, and former slave John Chavis, studied at Princeton in the 18th century without earning degrees.

The recognition of Rev. Irwin William Langston Roundtree as the first African American degree recipient at Princeton is a testament to the university's gradual progress towards diversity and inclusion. It also serves as a reminder of the past injustices and barriers faced by African Americans in higher education.

The first African American to receive an undergraduate degree from Princeton was John Leroy Howard, in 1947

The history of African Americans at Princeton University is a story of perseverance in the face of adversity and the gradual breaking down of racial barriers. While the university's administration in the early 20th century claimed that there were no "coloured students" at Princeton, this was not due to any official policy of exclusion. Instead, it was suggested that the significant proportion of Southern students at the university would make it an uncomfortable environment for African Americans. This attitude is exemplified by the case of Bruce M. Wright, the first African American admitted to Princeton in the 20th century, in 1935. Upon arriving on campus, Wright's race became apparent, and he was promptly sent away.

It was not until World War II, with the opening of a Naval Training School at Princeton in October 1942, that the colour barrier was finally broken. Four Black students, John Leroy Howard, James Everett Ward, Arthur Jewell Wilson, Jr., and Melvin Murchison, Jr., entered the University through the United States Navy's V-12 program. Of these four, John Leroy Howard was the first to receive an undergraduate degree, on February 5, 1947, becoming the first African American to receive an undergraduate degree from Princeton. Howard was followed by Arthur Jewell Wilson, Jr., who received his degree on June 7, 1947, and James Everett Ward, who received his on October 1, 1947.

While Howard was the first African American to receive an undergraduate degree from Princeton, he was not the first to receive a Princeton degree. That honour goes to Rev. Irwin William Langston Roundtree, who received a Master of Arts degree from the College of New Jersey (as Princeton University was then known) in 1895. Rev. George Shippen Stark, also received a Master of Arts degree in 1906, becoming the second African American to earn a Princeton degree. Additionally, three African American men, John Quaumino (or Quamine), Bristol Yamma, and former slave John Chavis, studied at Princeton in the 18th century without earning degrees. Chavis, for instance, studied religion before becoming a Presbyterian minister.

The admission of Howard, Ward, Wilson, and Murchison in the 1940s marked a significant step forward for racial equality at Princeton. However, it was just the beginning, and the university has continued to strive for a diverse student body at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. While there is still work to be done, Princeton has come a long way since the days when Woodrow Wilson claimed that "no negro has ever applied for admission" and that it was "extremely unlikely" that any ever would. Today, Princeton's total enrollment includes approximately 7,853 students, with a racial/ethnic minority population of about 39%.

The Black Student Union (BSU) is a student organisation at Princeton University

Through inventive programming such as the DuBois Series, the creation of Black Leaders on Campus (BLOC), and the Leadership and Mentoring Program (LAMP), the BSU has become one of the most proactive student organisations at Princeton. The BSU is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive community, where individuals of all sexes, gender identities, races, ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations, abilities, and socioeconomic statuses can flourish equally.

Princeton University has a total enrollment of approximately 7,853 students, including 4,689 undergraduates and 3,079 graduate students. While the exact number of Black students is unknown, the university has a below-average level of racial-ethnic diversity. Around 39% of the student population are racial-ethnic minorities, which includes international students.

The history of African Americans at Princeton has been marked by challenges and progress. In the early 20th century, a University administrator stated that while there were no explicit barriers to the admission of Black students, the presence of Southern students might make the environment uncomfortable for them. Despite this, Bruce M. Wright became the first African American admitted to Princeton in the 20th century in 1935. However, upon arriving on campus, he was sent home due to his race. It was not until World War II, with the establishment of a Naval Training School at Princeton, that four Black students, John Leroy Howard, James Everett Ward, Arthur Jewell Wilson, Jr., and Melvin Murchison, Jr., entered the University through the US Navy's V-12 program.

Today, Princeton continues to strive for a diverse student body at both the graduate and undergraduate levels and is no longer the place described by Woodrow Wilson in 1904 as a place where "no negro has ever applied for admission". The BSU is a testament to the progress made and the ongoing commitment to fostering an inclusive and equitable environment for Black students at Princeton University.

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