| Philander Smith College | |
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| Established | 1877: Walden Seminary 1882: Philander Smith College |
| Type: | Historically black college |
| President: | Walter M. Kimbrough |
| Location | Little Rock, Arkansas, United States |
| Website: | philander.edu |
Philander Smith College is a private, historically black college that is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. It is located in Little Rock, Arkansas. The student body averages around 850 attendees, with around 30% of that figure attending part time. Although known historically as a school for African Americans, it accepts students of all races. However, the vast majority of its students are black.
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History
Philander Smith College was officially founded in 1877 under the name of Walden Seminary as a means of providing education opportunities for freed slaves west of the Mississippi River. The school was renamed Philander Smith College in 1882 to recognize the financial contributions of Adeline Smith, the widow of Philander Smith. The college was chartered as a four-year college in 1883 and conferred its first bachelor’s degree in 1888. In 1943, Philander Smith was accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Philander Smith College was a pioneer during the civil rights movement as many of its students engaged in nonviolent resistance against segregation laws (such as sitting in at "whites-only" lunch counters). Dr.Walter M. Kimbrough is the 12th and current president of Philander Smith College. Dubbed as the first college president from the hip-hop generation, at 38 he is the youngest HBCU president and one of the youngest college presidents in the nation.
Rankings and Education Conservancy
Kimbrough recently joined the Education Conservancy in its criticism of U.S. News and World Report college rankings by signing a letter circulating among college presidents that asks them not to participate in the peer assessment portion of the survey.[1][2]
Notable alumni
- James Hal Cone, Ph.D., a major figure in systematic theology and liberation theology
- Joycelyn Elders, former United States Surgeon General
- "Geese" Ausbie, former Harlem Globetrotters player and coach
- Lottie Shackelford, former mayor of Little Rock
- Elijah Pitts, former Green Bay Packers player
- Tap Genius, underground beatmaker, founder of The Refugees of the Old Earth
Notable faculty
- Lee Lorch, mathematician and civil rights activist
Notes
- ^ Kamara, Margaret (28 June 2007). Are U.S. News Rankings Inherently Biased Against Black Colleges?. Diverse Issues in Higher Education.
- ^ Growing Challenge to ‘U.S. News’. Inside Higher Ed (18 May 2007).
External links
- Philander Smith College -- official website
