Austin Wingate Curtis Sr. (1872 - 1950) was one of A&T's "Superior Seven", the first bachelor's degree graduates from the class of 1899. He served as Head of the School of Agricultural at West Virginia Collegiate Institute for decades. An active alum who shared many memories of being a first Aggie with for decades, A. W. Curtis Hall on the A&T Campus was dedicated a year after his passing.
William Thomas Cain "Willie" Cheek '1899 B.S. - Architect in Washington, D.C. area, instructor of mechanics at Winston-Salem State and vocational schools in West Virginia. Alphabetically and chronologically A&T's first Bachelor's degree recipient.
Dr. Issac Sommerville Cunningham '1899 B. Agr. - instructor at A&T, agriculture teacher in Florida, physician and pharmacist in Winston-Salem, N.C.
Austin Wingate Curtis Sr. - 1899' B.Agr. - agriculturalist, professor at West Virginia State Univ., namesake of Curtis Hall on A&T campus.
Epps Luther Falkener '1899 'B.Agr. - fruit growing instructor at Tuskegee Institute, Biltmore Farms, school principal in Virginia.
James Matthew Joyner '1899 B.S. - teacher, postal work.
Dr. Peter Edward Robinson DDS '1899 B.Agr. - dentist (D.D.S. from Northwestern University), instructor and professor of dairying at A&T.
Adam Watson '1899 B.S. - professor of mechanics, architect, designed South Dormitory (Old Vanstory Hall) on A&T campus.
This ad from the December 9, 1893 edition of the Raleigh Chronicle newspaper, is believed to be the oldest known image of the campus in Greensboro. The central image depicts the "Administration Building" later known as the first "Dudley Hall". It was completed in September of 1893, and the doors opened to students the first week of November.
"In September, 1899, I left home to enter school with $1.43. The distance by rail was a hundred miles. I borrowed $5.00 from my brother, who carried me to the station where I took the train for Greensboro. We reached the city about 12:30 P. M. and I was soon on the campus of the A. & T. College. Prof. C. H. Moore was then bursar, and after paying him $3.00 for board, I had fifty cents left for my month's laundry and no books."
- Charles Gaston Davis, '1907 from History of the American Negro and his Institutions, Volume IV North Carolina Edition, by A. B. Caldwell, 1921, pg. 667-668.
North Carolina A&T State University is an 1890 Second Morrill Land-Grant Act public university located in Greensboro, North Carolina. We were established as the "Agricultural and Mechanical College For The Colored Race", and were so named until 1915.
NAME CHANGES TO REMEMBER: In our earliest years, sometimes press articles would alter or incorrectly state the names of the college. The correct name is in bold, and alternative phrasings are listed to help with research.
1891 - 1915 - Agricultural and Mechanical College for the Colored Race - ["A. and M. College for the Colored Race", "A&M College For the Colored Race", "Colored A. and M. College of Greensboro", "North Carolina A. and M. College at Greensboro", "The Greensboro A. and M. College".] *PLEASE NOTE: "A. and M. College" was also the name for what is now NC State University in Raleigh; It was also referred to as the "A. and M. College at Raleigh".
1915 - 1957 - Negro Agricultural and Technical College of North Carolina - [A. and T. College, A & T. College, A&T College of North Carolina]
FOUNDING DATE: March 9, 1891
PRESIDENTS:
Rev. Dr. John Oliver Crosby, Ph.D (1892 - 1896)
Dr. James Benson Dudley (1896 - 1925)
1862
The first Morrill Act was passed by the U.S. Congress granting to each state and territory a certain amount of land, the proceeds of which were to be used to establish at least one college. The main purpose of the college was to promote the liberal and practical education of the industrial classes.
1890
The second Morrill Act, which provided funds to support the instructional program in the Land-Grant Colleges, was passed by Congress on August 30th. The Board of Trustees of the A. and M. College in Raleigh was empowered to make temporary arrangements for Negro students so that the College could qualify for funds under the second Morrill Act. Instruction for Negro students was begun at Shaw University in Raleigh in Agriculture, English, Horticulture and Mathematics involving four teachers and 37 students.
1891
The North Carolina General Assembly on March 9th ratified the Act establishing the "A. and M. College for the Colored Race". Its purpose was "to teach practical agriculture and mechanic arts and such branches of learning as relate there to, not excluding academic and classical instruction".
The first meeting of the Board of Trustees of the A. and M. College for the Colored Race was held on June 23rd.
1892
The Board of Trustees voted on March 3rd to locate the college in Greensboro. Durham, Mebane, Raleigh, Wilmington and Winston also made applications. The citizens of Greensboro had contributed 14 acres of land and $11,000.
Rev. Dr. John Oliver Crosby Ph.D. was elected the first President of the College by the Board of Trustees on May 25th.
1893
The main building which was called "the college building" was completed. "It was a multi-purpose building that was used for dormitories for men and women, food service, classrooms and offices. It was destroyed by fire in 1930." - Gibbs, Warmoth T. History of The North Carolina Agricultural and Technical College. Dubuque, Iowa: Wm. C. Brown Book Company, 1966. This building was later renamed "Dudley Hall". The current Dudley Memorial Building was dedicated in 1931
1894
The first college catalog was published which showed photographs of the main building, a dormitory, the names of the five teachers, the steward and the nine departments.
The college newspaper, "The A. and M. College Register," was first published.
Margaret Falkener is credited with organizing the Music Department.
1895
Governor Ellis Carr became the first Governor of the state to visit the campus.
The Mechanical Building or the first Crosby Hall, was completed in the summer. The North Dormitory was completed which housed one hundred students in thirty-eight rooms. Both buildings were torn down in the 1960s.
1896
Following Dr. Crosby's resignation, Dr. James B. Dudley, principal of the Peabody School in Wilmington, North Carolina was selected as the second President. He served until his death in 1925.
1897
The earliest confirmed commencement program took place during the week of May 22-27. Since the college was not accredited to award bachelor's degree, The agricultural students at the college completed a research thesis for a “diploma of graduation”.
Board of Trustees gave authorization to the faculty to create curriculum for the bachelor’s degree of science on May 28, 1897
1898
First Lady Susie B. Dudley wrote a play for commencement called "When Shall I Go To My Father". This play and performance is seen as the beginning of drama at A&T. Mrs. Dudley would continue to write plays for "Industrial Night" during commencement over the next few decades.
1899
A photographer is sent to the A&M College to take photos on behalf of W. E. B. DuBois, who would use them in the 1900 Paris World Exhibition.
The first bachelor degrees are conferred by the college. The class motto was "No Steps Backward". The first degree recipients were:
William "Willie" T. C. Cheek, B.S.
Isaac S. Cunningham, B.S.
Austin W. Curtis, B.Agriculture
Epps L. Falkner, B.Agriculture
James M. Joyner, B.Agriculture
Peter E. Robinson, B.Agriculture
Adam Watson, B.S.