A LOOK BACK: KAPPA HISTORY
Bishop William T. Vernon
By Kevin Scott, Grand Historian
Esteemed University President, Renowned Orator, and Venerable U.S. Treasury Department Officer
F ollowing the passage of the 13 th Amendment, af- ter the end of the Civil War in 1865, many Black Americans struggled to utilize their newfound freedom and achieve equal rights that their White counterparts enjoyed. The passage of repressive “Black Codes” during Reconstruction made it nearly impos- sible for Black people to prosper. A few Black Americans achieved, despite the obstacles placed before them. Some found solace and support within the Black church in their community. The church provided spiritual renewal and served as a center point of learning and political organi- zation. The Black pastor functioned as the community leader. William Tecumseh Vernon was reared in this environment and followed the footsteps of his father in the ministry of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church. Vernon defied the odds to reach the highest rungs of leadership of his race during his era. Humble Beginnings and Education William T. Vernon was born July 11, 1871, in Lebanon, Missouri, to parents who had been enslaved. Like many children living in the rural area of Lebanon, Vernon per- formed manual labor, working in the fields, and dragging hay at the age of eight. Vernon demonstrated a mental acuity that yearned to be challenged beyond the physi- cal demands of farming. He entered Lincoln University (Missouri) at the age of 15 with his meager possessions. He completed his normal course (teaching curriculum) with honors, earning a B.S. degree in 1890 as class
Bishop William T. Vernon
valedictorian and class orator. Upon graduation, Vernon was still financially destitute but was not discouraged. He worked odd jobs during the summer to support himself, and in the fall of the same year, Vernon began to teach in the Negro Public School of Bonne Terre, Missouri. He held this position for two years. He was subsequently elected as principal of his hometown’s public school. He remained there for four years, doing all he could to improve the conditions of the school, and for his students. Although he deeply valued the power of education, Vernon felt that he was equally called to serve the church. Vernon tempo- rarily left teaching to serve as private secretary for Bishop J.H. Handy in Baltimore, Maryland. While there, Vernon briefly attended Morgan College (now Morgan State University), taking courses in theology, then completed his education at Wilberforce University, where he was bestowed a Doctor of Divinity degree. In 1896, at the age of 25, Vernon was ordained a minister in the AME Church. The same year, Vernon joined the Missouri Con- ference of the AME Church. Lincoln University subsequently bestowed an A.M. degree upon him. While attending Wilberforce University’s Founding Anniversary festivities, Vernon was surprised when the university conferred the Doctor of Laws (LL.D.) Honorary Degree upon him, June 1906.
122 | WINTER - SPRING 2022 ♦ THE JOURNAL
PUBLISHING ACHIEVEMENT IN EVERY FIELD OF HUMAN ENDEAVOR
Made with FlippingBook - Share PDF online