A LOOK BACK: KAPPA HISTORY
its faculty to 20 teachers. While president, he published a col- lection of writings: The Upbuilding of a Race, or The Rise of a Great People: a compilation of sermons, addresses and writings on education, the Race Question and Public Affairs (1904). Appointment to Federal Offices A staunch Republican, Vernon rallied Black Americans to join the party. He received much attention for crossing racial lines when he delivered his 1905 speech “A Plea for a Suspension of Judgement” to the traditionally White Republican membership of the Kansas Day Club. The recognition he garnered from this event and his political activi- ties may set the stage for his next life phase. In 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt appointed Vernon Register of the U.S. Treasury. This appointment made Vernon the third of four Black men to hold this position – the highest appointed position achieved by anyone of his race at that time. This position paid Vernon $4,000/year, which amounts to $125,000/year in 2023. The signature of the Register of the Treasury was found on almost all United States currency until 1923. All U.S. cur- rency printed during his tenure carries the signature of William T. Vernon. His signature appears on many legal tender notes, silver certificates, gold certifi- cates, and national bank notes. Upon being appointed to this office, Vernon took a leave of absence from his posi- tion at Western University. He served as Register of the U.S. Treasury from June 11, 1906-March 14, 1911. President William Howard Taft briefly reappointed him in 1910 but rescinded the appoint- ment and replaced Vernon in favor of another Black American who was part of his “Black Cabinet” patronage. While Vernon served as Register of the Treasury, he continued to be active in the AME Church. Throughout his career, he traveled the nation giving lectures, addresses, and sermons and meeting with other Black educators. After his term as Register ended, Vernon was tapped to become Assis-
Above: Western University Campus. Below: Vernon AME. Courtesy of the Tulsa Historical Society and Museum.
Elevation to University President Western University (formally known as Quindaro Freedman’s School), Quind- aro, Kansas, was a precursor to many of the historically Black universities that followed it. Western was located near Kansas City, Kansas. It was the earliest school established for Blacks west of the Mississippi River and the only such institution in Kansas at that time. It was established in 1865 and was intended to provide education to the children of escaped slaves and Black families, as Quindaro was a stop on the Under- ground Railroad. The school was re-established as Western University in 1881 under the sponsorship of the AME Church. The church added theological courses to the curriculum and hired Vernon as univer- sity president in 1896. The curriculum at Western University reflected Vernon’s educational philosophy of training “to educate the head, heart, and hand for the home.” Under Vernon, Western pro- vided teacher training, college prepara- tory classes, and vocational training. The course offerings were broad and strongly emphasized theology, the classics, and music. In the early 20th century, West- ern became nationally recognized as one
of the best music schools. Its Glee Club published a songbook in 1906. When Vernon began as the school’s president, he served as its only teacher to six students. By 1907, he expanded the school staff to 14 teachers and 250 students. When he began teaching there, it had only one small building. Vernon is credited for expanding the uni- versity’s curriculum and state funding. During his tenure, he obtained legisla- tive support to add industrial education to the school that included new training programs in agricultural and mechanical trades. New facilities were constructed, including new male and female dor- mitories. Some of the additions to the university include building two stock barns, a power plant and reservoir, and a girl’s and boy’s trade building. Through Vernon’s acquaintance and influence with the governor, the Kansas Legislature passed a bill with a $10,000 appropriation that funded a building to house the new industrial department. As a result of the state funding, Kansas students received tuition discounts. Under his leadership, Western expanded to thirteen acres, increased from one to four buildings, enrollment grew to ap- proximately 400 students and expanded
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