CONNECT . MOTIVATE . INSPIRE .
W ith the passage of the Morrill Act in 1862, many public institutions of higher education underwent a significant transformation, directing attention towards non-traditional fields such as agriculture, military, and mechanical arts. Another significant milestone came with the second Morrill Act in 1890, leading to the establishment of legalized separate schools for whites and African Americans. This Act also paved the way for the development of 21 Historically Black Land-Grant Universities, commonly referred to as the 1890 institutions. The research for our new book, HBCU: The Power of Historically Black Colleges and Universities uncovered compelling accounts illustrating the profound impact of the HBCU land-grant mission on community engagement. Leaders such as Harold Martin, chancellor at North Carolina A&T State University, emphasized the pivotal role these institutions play in understanding and addressing the needs of their regions. Martin shared, “We are fortunate to be a land grant institution. We were created with the
expectation that we would understand the needs of our region, our business needs of our state, and we would create and foster academic programs and research and outreach driven to meet those needs and serve those needs through the role of our faculty and our staff and our students as well.” Martin underscored the unique obligation that comes with being a land-grant institution – an obligation to direct attention outwardly towards the needs of local, state, and regional stakeholders. This commitment extends beyond academic programs and research, encompassing outreach initiatives that
institutions dedicated to public service. When we talked with Alton Thompson, executive
scholarly pursuits coexist with community-driven initiatives. The land- grant purpose, as she articulated, involves actively contributing to community well-being, rejecting the notion of an ivory tower mentality. This sentiment resonates across the interviews we conducted, forming a collective acknowledgment of the gratifying aspect of making a concrete difference in the communities they serve. Comments from leaders like Martin, Thompson, and Simmons highlight the indispensable role of HBCUs as land-grant institutions. Their commitment to community engagement, manifested through outreach, research, and tailored programs, reflects a dedication to addressing real-world challenges. By balancing scholarly endeavors with hands- on involvement, these institutions exemplify the transformative potential of fulfilling the land- grant mission. In doing so, they not only provide intellectual power, but actively contribute to the betterment and thriving of the communities they serve.
director for the Association of 1890 Research Directors and professor at North Carolina A&T State University, he highlighted the formalized extension programs integral to the land-grant mission. Through education, outreach, and community involvement, 1890 institutions demonstrate a heightened sensitivity to the needs of residents. Ruth Simmons, former president of Prairie View A&M University, agreed with Martin and Thompson, emphasizing the distinctive mission of land-grant institutions. She shed light on the adaptability of these institutions, noting Prairie View A&M’s shift towards urban communities. The institution’s tailored programs, spanning agriculture, business, nursing, and criminal justice, exemplify a commitment to on-the- ground service, addressing issues ranging from nutrition to adolescent delinquency. Simmons emphasized the dual nature of land- grant institutions, where
actively contribute to the betterment of the community.
HBCU land-grant institutions are key
contributors to regional and state development, as they actively engage in research and outreach efforts that directly address
the unique challenges and opportunities of their communities. By
aligning their research and educational initiatives with the needs of the region, HBCUs play a pivotal role in fostering economic and social progress while fulfilling their mission as
2 5 | HBCU TIMES SPRING ISSUE 2024
Made with FlippingBook. PDF to flipbook with ease