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Philander Smith University

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Philander Smith College
TypeHistorically black college
Established1877: Walden Seminary
1882: Philander Smith College
PresidentWalter M. Kimbrough
Location
Little Rock, Arkansas
,
United States
Websitephilander.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.

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 1933, it merged the assets of the George R. Smith College in Sedalia, Missouri, which burned down in 1925, per [1]. 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).[citation needed]

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.[citation needed]

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] George W. Russel Gray is the current Director of Admissions there.

Notable alumni

Name Class year Notability Reference(s)
James Hal Cone major figure in systematic theology and liberation theology
Joycelyn Elders former Surgeon General of the United States
"Geese" Ausbie former Harlem Globetrotters player and coach
Lottie Shackelford former mayor of Little Rock, Arkansas
Elijah Pitts former Green Bay Packers player
Al Bell founder of Stax Records and former president of Motown Records
Robert L. Williams 1953 prominent figure in the history of African-American psychology

Notable faculty

Name Department Notability Reference
Lee Lorch mathematician and civil rights activist

Notes

  1. ^ Kamara, Margaret (28 June 2007). "Are U.S. News Rankings Inherently Biased Against Black Colleges?". Diverse Issues in Higher Education. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  2. ^ "Growing Challenge to 'U.S. News'". Inside Higher Ed. 18 May 2007.

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