Living
Through History:
Brown v. Board
of Education and WVU
The
campus of West Virginia University didn't look any different
on May 18, 1954, than it had on May 16, 1954. However, a momentous
change had occurred that would affect the lives of thousands
of students not just in Morgantown or West Virginia, but across
the entire nation.
On May 17, 1954, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down one of its most important and influential rulings—in Brown v. Board of Education, the Court stated that the racial segregation of public schools was inherently unequal. This unanimous 9-0 decision is credited with launching the modern civil rights movement, and eventually would result in fundamental changes in the way Americans thought about, and dealt with, not just education but deeply entrenched beliefs about race.
In 1950, Oliver L. Brown, a resident of Topeka, Kansas, had tried to register his seven-year-old daughter, Linda, at a new school closer to where they lived. Because the Browns were African American, and the school in question was built for white children, their application was rejected. The NAACP was recruiting black parents in Topeka for a class-action suit against the local school board and thought that Mr. Brown would make a good litigant. The resulting case eventually made its way to the U.S. Supreme Court (after being combined with four other cases involving more than 200 plaintiffs). The Court's opinion, which was written by newly appointed Chief Justice Earl Warren, reversed previous decisions that had created the "separate but equal" doctrine.
However,
one legal decision, as important as it was, could not solve overnight
the hostile environment created by centuries of enslavement,
oppression, and codified racism. Brown II, handed down by the
high court in 1955, contained a critical compromise, which many
believe undermined the goal of the 1954 decision: schools were
to be desegregated with "all deliberate speed," a phrase
interpreted by many segregationists as an open-ended justification
to slow or stall the process. Fifty years later, achieving racial
equality in education is still an unfinished struggle.
WVU and Segregation
As the only state created as a result of the Civil War, West
Virginia was unfortunately familiar with racial conflict and
segregation. The new state constitution dictated that "White
and colored persons shall not be taught in the same school."
So, when West Virginia University was established in 1867, extending
the possibilities of higher education to nonwhites was not even
considered.
The
subject did arise in 1890, when the federal government offered
WVU a large sum of money (the equivalent of a half-million dollars
in today's currency) to allow black students to enroll. The U.S.
Congress soon offered a compromise: WVU would receive the money
if the state built a separate college for black students. This
resulted in the creation of West Virginia State College. Despite
the institutionalization of segregation that resulted from the
1896 Supreme Court decision of Plessy v. Ferguson, a few African
American students did attend WVU long before 1954. In 1938, another
Supreme Court case, Gaines v. Canada, began to weaken
the walls of segregation by declaring that every state had to
either build a separate graduate school for blacks or integrate
existing institutions. This resulted in the University opening
graduate courses that were unavailable elsewhere in West Virginia.
During World War II, a few African American graduate students studied at WVU. By 1948, the sociology depart-ment's graduate program attracted a few African Americans to Harold Gibbard's classes in the summer. The first known African American undergraduate student to earn a degree at West Virginia University was Jack Hodge, who received a bachelor of science degree in journalism in 1953, the year before the momentous Brown v. Board of Education decision.
However,
hundreds of years of sanctioned racism, combined with the fact
that the African American population in Morgantown was very small,
made segregation appear to be the status quo.
This definition of "normal" was challenged in May 1954. Four days after the decision was rendered, WVU President Irvin Stewart wrote to the West Virginia attorney general requesting guidance. He asked two questions: "Should WVU admit resident students to programs that were already available at the state's two publicly supported black institutions, West Virginia State College and Bluefield State College?" and "Was WVU obligated to admit out-of-state black students?" The answer was clear and simple. Admit any qualified applicant for a program.
On June 2, 1954, President Stewart announced to the school's Board of Governors that WVU would admit African American undergraduates starting in the current summer session. This ruling also affected University High School, which WVU operated. Dr. Stewart predicted that these students might be the first black students to attend nonsegregated schools in the state. In hindsight, they may have been some of the first in the South following the Supreme Court's decision.
Another
milestone was reached that same year when John Reuben Sheeler
received his PhD in history, becoming the first known African
American to receive a doctorate at WVU. William D. Barnes, a
WVU faculty member who served on Sheeler's dissertation committee,
invited Sheeler to lecture to his class one day, which caused
some concern, but took place without incident.
The first known female African American undergraduate at WVU was Annette Chandler-Broome, who earned a bachelor of science degree in home economics and nutrition in 1957.
In the early 1960s, attempts began to diversify the student body and faculty, and WVU recruited international and out-of-state students to create a "cosmopolitan educational atmosphere." The first known African American faculty member, Victorine Louistall, came to the University in 1966 as an assistant professor of library science. She was an alumnus, having received her MA from WVU's College of Education in 1945, and a master of arts in library science in 1963.
While
legislation can instantly force people to change the way they
act, changing attitudes is much more difficult, and can take
a long time. Looking back, it's sometimes hard to believe how
hard it was for those who pioneered the way for later generations.
Several alumni have been gracious enough to share their stories,
which help illustrate what it was like to attend WVU during a
time when there were few people of color on campus or in the
area.
Surviving a Historical
Moment
Richard Ernest Walker is a West Virginia native who spent one
year at the West Virginia Institute of Technology and three years
in the U.S. Army before entering WVU in 1963. He earned a BA
and MA in German/Russian and went on to study at the University
of Tubingen in Germany and to receive a PhD from the University
of Chicago. He currently is the associate director of the School
of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures at the University of
Maryland and also serves on the faculty of the Germanic Studies
Program. He was kind enough to share with us some reflections
on his experience at WVU.
During
my time at WVU (1963-68), I had several professors and administrators
who were very helpful to me and for whom I still have the highest
respect and regard. In the German section of the foreign language
department, Dr. Victor Lemke, Dr. Harley Taylor, Dr. Bohdan Plaskacz,
and Professor Michel Beauchemin were very supportive of me, and
gave me opportunities to do things I had no idea I would ever
be able to do. Michel Beauchemin especially was instrumental
in urging me to apply for a study abroad opportunity, after I
had been told by the previous study abroad advisor that I would
not be competitive. I not only was a first choice for a DAAD
grant (the German Academic Exchange Service), but was an alternate
for a Fulbright fellowship in the same year.
In the history department, I remember with great fondness Dr. Kurt Rosenbaum, with whom I studied Russian history; he was very kind to me and gave me good advice, though I was not a history major or someone for whom he had any personal responsibility. In the administrative area, Dr. Robert Stilwell, then chair of the foreign language department, supported me strongly, and Gordon Thorne in Student Affairs was very, very supportive of me. Without his kindness and consideration and that of his staff, I would not have been able to accomplish what I did at WVU.
As
an African American student at WVU in the mid-1960s, one didn't
have very many ethnic role models. The professors I mentioned
made ethnic identity irrelevant in their ability to relate to
me as a student, an individual, and a person who, for whatever
reasons, they felt deserved support and encouragement. For the
kindnesses and humanity they showed toward me I am still thankful
and grateful.
Barbara Ann Williams received a BS degree in home economics from WVU in 1963. Her roommate was Margo Elizabeth Walker-Heath, an African American student who entered the University in 1959 and graduated in 1963 with a degree in journalism.
I was one of the five African American students on the campus at that time. I entered the University in January 1959 and completed the degree requirements in January 1963. As students Margo and I were very much affected by the Brown v. Board of Education decision. There were many incidents that we encountered as students at WVU which Betty Boyd, the dean of women students and the Director of Student Affairs, Joe Gluck, had to intervene in to help us with. Some of the incidents that we were involved in also came to the attention of the President of WVU. Ultimately, our situations which were resolved made it better for the African American students who came after us. Both Margo and I assisted the University in recruiting Roger Alford and Richard (Dick) Leftridge to the football team at WVU.
Moving into a Better Future
This year, hundreds of articles, books, and TV specials have
reflected on the five decades since Brown and how this landmark
decision changed the way we live and learn. As WVU President
David C. Hardesty Jr. noted at this year's commencement ceremony,
which was held one day before the fiftieth anniversary of Brown
v. Board of Education, "it is a particularly appropriate
time to acknowledge that accomplishment in racial harmony and
community building."
Someone transported through time from that day in May 1954 to 2004 would be amazed by the physical changes WVU's campus has undergone. While some familiar downtown landmarks still exist, such as Woodburn Circle, Oglebay and E. Moore Halls, and Stalnaker and Boreman residence halls, even a cursory glance would show radical physical differences. Even more shocking to a transplant from 1954 would be the cultural changes that have taken place—diversity is a stated goal of the University.
WVU has established an inclusive campus that welcomes all students, faculty, and staff. The Center for Black Culture and Research (see www.wvu.edu/~cbcr) conducts research on related topics, holds lectures and social events, and mentors African American students through the PASSkey program. The McNair Scholars Program helps first-generation and minority college students prepare for graduate education. The President's Office for Social Justice promotes an environment that creates a climate of opportunity, mutual respect, and understanding for all persons, and black alumni are involved with the WVU Alumni Association to help pave a brighter path for African American students.
At WVU's latest commencement, President
Hardesty proudly noted that "Since 1954, we have created
a racially and ethnically rich community that celebrates inclusiveness
and protects the rights of all students to receive a quality
education in a supportive atmosphere. We would be a diminished
community if not for the thousands of African American students
who have passed through our doors before making their mark in
the larger world." 
Material in this
article was adapted from Dr. Barbara Howe's history of the Eberly
College of Arts and Sciences.
EXTRA EXTRA
We received many letters referring to our
story on the Brown v. Board of Education decision. Since we were
unable to publish all of those in our printed edition of the
West Virginia University Alumni Magazine, we have included the
extra letters here. Thanks to everyone who wrote in telling us
of your experiences at WVU.
My name is Burdell D. Chapman and I am an Afro-American alumnus.
My home is in Charleston, WV, and I graduated from Charleston
High School in 1960. Schools in Kanawha County were completely
desegregated in 1956. I received my BS degree in chemical engineering
from WVU in 1965.
Burdell D. Chapman, '65 BS
Charleston, WV
I am an African American alumnus of WVU (BA '66, MA '68) who graduated high school in 1958. Prior to 1958 I attended the consolidated all-black Washington High School in London, WV, (from 19521956) and then, after it closed, attended Cedar Grove High School in my hometown, graduating in 1958. After one year at West Virginia Institute of Technology in Montgomery, WV, I spent three years in the U.S. Army (1959-1962) and entered WVU the following year (1963). After receiving my BA and MA in German/Russian at WVU, I received a German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) grant (also alternate for Fulbright fellowship) to study at the University of T¸bingen in Germany (1968-69), after which I received a fellowship to study for the PhD at the University of Chicago; I completed my PhD there in 1973. I am currently associate director of the School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures at the University of Maryland College Park and on the faculty of its Germanic Studies program.
Richard Walker, '66 BA, '68 MA
My name is Barbara Ann Williams and I am
a 1963 Graduate of West Virginia University with a BS degree
in home economics from the College of Agriculture, Forestry,
and Home Economics. I was one of five African American students
on the campus at that time. I entered the University in January
1959 and completed the degree requirements in January 1963. If
I am not mistaken the records may show that I was the first African-American
undergraduate student to receive a degree from West Virginia
University [Actually, the first known African American undergraduate
student to earn a degree at WVU was Jack Hodge, who received
a BS degree in journalism in 1953]. One other person, Margo Elizabeth
Walker, who was my roommate (3 1/2 years) entered the University
in September 1959 . . . [she] graduated in 1963 with a degree
in Journalism.
As students Margo and I were very much affected by the Brown
v. Board of Education decision. There were many incidents that
we encountered as students at WVU which Dean Betty Boyd, the
Dean of Women Students and the Director of Student Affairs, Mr.
Joe Gluck, had to intervene in to help us with. Some of the incidents
that we were involved in also came to the attention of the President
of WVU. Ultimately, our situations which were resolved made it
better for the African American students who came after us. Both
Margo and I assisted the University in recruiting Roger Alford
and Richard (Dick) Leftridge to the football team at WVU.
Barbara Ann Williams '63 BS
Philadelphia, PA
My name is Margo Elizabeth Walker Heath. I am an African American
alumnus of West Virginia University. I graduated from Gary District
High School in Gary, WV, in 1958, and entered West Virginia University
in September 1959. My major was journalism.
I was a resident in Women's Hall South during my first two years
at the University. I had high hopes of becoming a journalist.
I knew of no African American Journalist nor was I aware of the
difficulty, which I might experience in trying to break through
the color barrier.
In my second year, I began writing news articles for the Daily
Athenaeum. It was then brought to my attention that my news articles
were never good enough. I was finally told that although the
quality of the articles, which I had written, were superior to
many of my peers, the quantity of articles was low.
I realized that if I had aspirations of graduating from WVU,
I needed to be selective in the choice of my professors (and
maybe my major). The attitude of some of the professors was not
blatantly rude but my presence was ignored. I could detect a
difference in the attitude of a few professors towards me as
opposed to their attitude towards Caucasian students.
I can recall my first days in an American History class. The
professor belittled the Native American females (Indians) who
were referred to as "dirty and smelly." The professor's
version was that the females seduced the Caucasian males who
had migrated to America. I knew that I did not need to wait for
the chapters on slavery. I could imagine what would have been
said in regards to the female slaves. I immediately changed to
a different American history class.
At the end of my second year, I changed my major from journalism
to English with a minor in Spanish. I found the professors to
be much more liberal in their attitude towards African American
students. Teaching was a normal occupation for African Americans,
whereas becoming a journalist was not. I was accepted as a prospective
teacher.
Life in the dormitory for the most part was pleasant and most
of the women were friendly. We ate meals together family style
during the week at assigned tables. On the weekend, we were not
assigned seats at mealtime and quite often we discovered that
our presence at some tables was not welcomed.
Sometimes on the weekend we attempted to have our meals off campus.
We became accustomed to being told, "We don't serve colored
people here." Editorials and articles were written in the
Daily Athenaeum to make other students aware of the policies,
which were prevalent in the community. We felt it was important
for Betty Boyd, the dean of women, as well as Joe Gluck, director
of student affairs, to be aware of the situation.
When racial incidents occurred on campus, such as the Confederate
flag being flown by the KA fraternity (in full view from our
window) or a cross burning on the Drill Field (which was in front
of our dormitory) we did not hesitate to contact Betty Boyd and
Joe Gluck.
Hopefully our taking a stand against racial incidents resulted
in an improved environment for future African American students.
We were not really included in social activities such as sororities
rush parties or fraternity parties. Our leisure activities consisted
of going to the Mountainlair, going to sports events, or sitting
in the dormitory playing cards. For lack of a better place to
go, some of the African American students could go to the (African
American) Elks Club. There were some African American families
who were kind enough to open their homes to us after events such
as Homecoming or Mountaineer Weekend. They were happy to know
that we were a part of the University and welcomed us in their
homes anytime. One of the professors from the Foreign Language
Department was kind enough to invite both black and white students
from his class to his home for meals and recreation. We were
welcomed in the churches. Barbara, my roommate, even sang in
the choir.
Barbara completed all of her requirements at the end of the first
semester in January 1963. I completed all of my requirements
at the end of second semester in June 1963. Barbara and I graduated
from West Virginia University on June 3, 1963.
Margo W. Heath, '63 BA