Janice Lozano
Emory University has a long history of promoting diversity and racial equality. In 1967, Marvin S. Arrington Sr. became the first full-time African American student to graduate from Emory University School of Law. Following this, in 1968, African American undergraduates advocated for the creation of a Black Studies Program, which the university established in 1971, making it the first undergraduate degree program in African American Studies in the Southeast. Emory University's commitment to the study of African Americans has resulted in the hiring of top faculty across various departments, including history, music, English, sociology, and political science. The university's dedication to diversity and academic excellence has been further enhanced by its establishment of the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Program, which aims to increase the representation of historically underrepresented groups.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First African-American student | Marvin S. Arrington Sr. |
| Year of graduation of the first African-American student | 1967 |
| Year of establishing the first African-American studies program | 1971 |
| Name of the first African-American studies program | Black Studies Program |
| Leader of the first African-American studies program | Delores P. Aldridge |
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What You'll Learn
- Emory University's first full-time African American student graduated in 1967
- The university established an African-American studies program in 1971
- The Black Studies Program was led by Professor Aldridge
- Emory College's first-year students in 2021: 12.1% identify as Black or African American
- The Rose Library contains rare materials relating to African American history
Emory University's first full-time African American student graduated in 1967
Emory University's first full-time African American student, Marvin S. Arrington Sr., graduated from the Emory University School of Law in 1967. This was a significant milestone in the history of the university and marked the beginning of a more diverse and inclusive era for the institution.
Following Arrington's graduation, Emory University continued to foster an environment that promoted racial equality and diversity. In 1968, African American undergraduates advocated for the creation of a Black Studies Program at Emory, which was met with a campus-wide discussion on curriculum philosophy and goals. This led to the establishment of a Sub-Committee on Afro-American Studies within the Curriculum Committee, which voted unanimously to initiate a quality Afro-American Studies Program in May 1969.
Emory's Black Studies Program officially commenced in September 1971, becoming the first undergraduate degree program in African American Studies in the Southeast. The program was led by Delores P. Aldridge, who received the Thomas Jefferson Award, the university's highest honour for service, in recognition of her dedication. Aldridge was also bestowed the Grace Towns Hamilton Chair, the inaugural chair named for an African American woman, and she became the first endowed chair in African American Studies across the United States.
The university's commitment to the study of African American history, culture, and issues was further solidified through its library collections and resources. The Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library (The Rose Library) at Emory houses rare materials pertaining to African American history and culture, among other subjects. Additionally, the annual Grace Towns Hamilton Lecture series, hosted by the university since 1989, honours the legacy of Grace Towns Hamilton, the first African American woman elected to a state legislature in the Deep South and the first African American elected to the Georgia State Legislature since Reconstruction.
Emory University's journey towards racial equality and diversity was also influenced by its leadership. The university's fifth president, James T. Laney, was an outspoken advocate for global human rights and racial equality. Under his leadership, Emory established one of the nation's first African-American studies programs, further enhancing its reputation for diversity and academic excellence.
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The university established an African-American studies program in 1971
Emory University established an African-American studies program in 1971. This was one of the nation's first African-American studies programs and the first undergraduate degree program in African American Studies in the Southeast. The move reflected the university's commitment to promoting racial equality and expanding its curriculum.
The establishment of the program was preceded by a campus-wide discussion on curriculum philosophy and goals, sparked by African American undergraduates' call for a Black Studies Program in 1968. This led to the creation of the Sub-Committee on Afro-American Studies within the Curriculum Committee, which voted unanimously in May 1969 to begin the operation of a quality Afro-American Studies Program.
The Black Studies Program commenced in September 1971 under the leadership of Delores P. Aldridge, the emeritus Grace Towns Hamilton Professor of Sociology and African American Studies. Professor Aldridge dedicated many years to the program and was recognised with the Thomas Jefferson Award in 1992, the university's highest award for service. She subsequently received the Grace Towns Hamilton Chair, the first professorship named for an African American woman and the first endowed chair in African American Studies in the United States.
The Grace Towns Hamilton Lecture has been hosted annually by the department every spring since 1989. The lecture series honours the life and legacy of Grace Towns Hamilton, who in 1966 became the first African American woman elected to a state legislature in the Deep South and the first African American to be elected to the Georgia State Legislature since Reconstruction. The series has featured speakers such as Ted Shaw, Barbara Chase-Riboud, and Mary Frances Berry.
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The Black Studies Program was led by Professor Aldridge
Emory University's Black Studies Program, the first undergraduate degree program in African American Studies in the Southeast, began in September 1971 under the leadership of Professor Delores P. Aldridge, the emeritus Grace Towns Hamilton Professor of Sociology and African American Studies.
Professor Aldridge was the first African-American faculty member at Emory University and the first tenure-track African American faculty member at the institution. She was also the first African-American woman to become a faculty member at a primarily white, male-dominated institution in one of the most conservative regions of the nation. In addition, she was the first professor at any major university to be given a chair in honour of an African-American woman.
Aldridge's determination, grace, and confidence had a deep impact on her students and colleagues. She received the Thomas Jefferson Award in 1992, Emory University's highest award for service, and was subsequently awarded the Grace Towns Hamilton Chair, the first chair named for an African American woman and the first endowed chair in African American Studies in the United States. She also received the Great Teachers of the Century award from Emory University, the A. Wade Smith Award for Teaching, Mentoring and Service from the Association of Black Sociologists, and the Charles S. Johnson Award from the Southern Sociological Society.
In 2003, Emory University established the Delores P. Aldridge Excellence Award to recognise students who have dedicated themselves to diversity. In honour of Aldridge's commitment to graduate education, the departments of African American studies, sociology, women's studies, and the Graduate Institute of Liberal Arts established the Delores P. Aldridge Graduate Fellowship for Graduate Research in African American Studies and Related Fields. This fellowship aims to honour Aldridge's pioneering scholarship and transformative instruction.
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Emory College's first-year students in 2021: 12.1% identify as Black or African American
Emory University's history of accepting African American students is a reflection of the changes and growth the university has undergone over the years. In 1967, Marvin S. Arrington Sr. became Emory University's first full-time African American student, graduating from the Emory University School of Law. In the following years, Emory established one of the nation's first African-American studies programs, with the first undergraduate degree program in African American Studies in the Southeast commencing in 1971. This program was a response to the demands made by African American undergraduates in 1968, who called for the creation of a Black Studies Program as part of a nationwide student struggle to expand the curriculum.
Emory's commitment to racial equality and academic reputation continued to grow under the leadership of its fifth president, James T. Laney. This commitment is evident in the university's dedication to the study of African Americans, with the hiring of top faculty across various departments, including history, music, English, sociology, and more.
In terms of demographics, Emory University's total enrollment for fall 2021 was 15,846 students, including 8,197 undergraduates and 7,649 graduate and professional students. Of the 1,534 freshmen enrolled, 13% were Black/African American, while another source states that among first-year students, 12.1% identify as Black or African American. This percentage is slightly lower when considering the entire undergraduate population, with African American students accounting for 8.1% according to 2021-2022 data.
Emory University's efforts towards diversity and inclusion are also reflected in its student body's diversity. The university has a student-to-faculty ratio of 7:1, with an average class size of 25 students. The student population includes individuals from 49 states, D.C., American territories, and over 100 countries. The gender ratio is skewed towards women, with 60% of the total student population being female and 40% male.
To cater to its diverse student body, Emory College offices devoted to undergraduate education have implemented various initiatives and programs. These include doubling the number of academic advisors, prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) principles in hiring and training, providing training for first-generation advising and coaching strategies, and creating new opportunities for undergraduate research for underrepresented groups.
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The Rose Library contains rare materials relating to African American history
Emory University's first full-time African American student was Marvin S. Arrington Sr., who graduated from the Emory University School of Law in 1967. Four years later, in 1971, Emory established one of the country's first African-American studies programs, marking a significant step in the university's commitment to racial equality.
The Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library (The Rose Library) at Emory University is a renowned repository of rare and valuable materials relating to African American history and culture. The library holds an extensive collection of primary sources, offering a diverse and comprehensive perspective on the African American experience.
The Rose Library's collections encompass a wide range of subjects, including literature, history, politics, and popular culture. Researchers can explore a rich array of rare books, periodicals, pamphlets, manuscripts, correspondence, photographs, and ephemeral items.
One notable aspect of the Rose Library's collection is its focus on Black print culture. This includes a 1773 signed first edition of Phillis Wheatley's book of poems, showcasing the earliest published works of an African American poet. The library also holds materials related to political and social movements, such as the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), with papers dating from 1924 to 1972, including rare periodicals and correspondence signed by Marcus Garvey.
Additionally, the Rose Library houses the Camille Billops and James Hatch Archives, which contain a wealth of information on African American culture and art. This collection includes unpublished play scripts by African American playwrights, oral history interviews, and materials related to notable figures such as Langston Hughes, Paul Robeson, and Glenngo A. King.
The Rose Library serves as a vital resource for scholars and researchers interested in exploring and understanding the diverse and significant aspects of African American history and culture. Its extensive collections provide valuable insights into the experiences, struggles, and achievements of the African American community.
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Frequently asked questions
Emory University's first full-time African American student, Marvin S. Arrington Sr., graduated from Emory University School of Law in 1967.
For the Class of 2028, 12.1% of first-year students identify as Black or African American, with 12.1% Hispanic, 26.5% Asian, 2% Native American, 16.9% international, and 41.5% identifying as white or not disclosing their identity.
Emory University has a long history of promoting racial equality. In 1968, African American undergraduates called for the creation of a Black Studies Program, which the university implemented in 1971. The program was the first undergraduate degree program in African American Studies in the Southeast. Emory University also offers the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Program, which aims to increase the number of underrepresented groups in academia.
Emory University's libraries include the Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library (The Rose Library), which contains rare materials relating to African American history and culture. The university also hosts the annual Grace Towns Hamilton Lecture, which honors the life and legacy of Grace Towns Hamilton, the first African American woman elected to a state legislature in the Deep South and the first African American elected to the Georgia State Legislature since Reconstruction.
