Alabama State University celebrates 156th birthday with a campuswide day of giving
Alabama State University celebrated its 156-year anniversary on Tuesday with a day of giving. The university asked students, alumni, friends and family to donate to ASU with the goal of raising $186,700.
On July 18, 1867, nine freed slaves filed incorporation papers to establish the Lincoln Normal School at Marion, which was a stalwart institution for Black education in Alabama and the predecessor to Alabama State. Before that day, the founders worked to raise $500 in foundational funds for the school.
The group became known as the Marion Nine, and it included Joey Pinch, Thomas Speed, Nicholas Dale, James Childs, Thomas Lee, John Freeman, Nathan Levert, David Harris and Alexander Curtis.
Not two decades later, white students at Howard College, which later moved to Birmingham to become Samford University, petitioned to have the Lincoln Normal School shut down. Students argued in their petition that its presence dissuaded some white students from coming to Marion.
By 1886, the Alabama Legislature told the school's trustees that it needed to pick another location for its university teachings, so the school in Marion split. What remained there was a regular public school, and what opened in Montgomery was the the Alabama Colored People’s University. Nearly a century later, in 1969, it became Alabama State University.
“University officials feel it is appropriate to give supporters the opportunity to show their love for ASU on the anniversary of the university’s humble beginnings in Marion, Alabama,” a news release from ASU stated. “It is widely agreed that no gift is too large or too small to give during ASU's Day of Giving.”
Those who want to support the university can specify what they want their donations to go toward on campus. A few options on the donations website are ASU ambassadors, athletics, the school’s individual colleges, student support and ASU’s radio station WVAS 90.7 FM.
By midday on Tuesday, ASU had received about $5,000 in donations.
Individuals can donate online or mail a check, payable to The ASU Foundation, attention ASU-156, to Alabama State University, P.O. Box 271, Montgomery, AL 36101-0271. Potential donors can also call in to 334-229-4950.
Hadley Hitson covers children's health, education and welfare for the Montgomery Advertiser. She can be reached at hhitson@gannett.com. To support her work, subscribe to the Advertiser.
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Alabama State University celebrates 156 years of history
