1890 Land-Grant Universities Celebrate 130 Years of Service
Virginia State University (VSU) is one of 19 thriving historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) celebrating a milestone in 2020. These HBCUs celebrated the 130th anniversary of the Second Morrill Act of 1890 that gave them status as land-grant institutions. A virtual celebration was held on Aug. 31 to commemorate the signing of the act, which took place on Aug. 30, 1890.
President Abraham Lincoln signed the first Morrill Act in 1862 that granted states the right to sell public land and use the proceeds to establish colleges to teach agriculture, military tactics, mechanical arts and classical studies to working class people. But racism in southern and border states prevented African Americans from taking advantage of the liberal arts education.
The act is named after Vermont Congressman Justin Smith Morrill, who introduced the legislation and understood the importance of a college education, even though he never received one. Seeing that African Americans were not getting equal access to education, Morrill introduced new legislation in 1890 that withheld federal funding for states that didn’t comply and made it possible for states to create separate colleges for blacks and whites. That paved the way for 19 black public colleges that for well over a century have helped countless numbers of black students across the country gain access to education.
Land-grant universities have a tripartite mission of teaching, research and extension. While they are highly regarded for their legacy of educating first-generation and economically disadvantaged college students, they are also charged with developing research and extending knowledge to enhance the lives of limited-resourced farmers, families, individuals and underserved communities.
Even today, land-grant institutions are still enhancing learning opportunities, preparing students for important career fields and helping them make positive contributions to the global community, said Dr. Makola M. Abdullah, president of VSU and chair of the Association of Public & Land-Grant Universities’ Council of 1890 Officers.
“Even as we manage through the current COVID pandemic, we celebrate the tremendous accomplishments of the past 130 years, and our universities continue to grow stronger each year,” he added. “In fact, as a result of the 2018 Farm Bill we have received new and significant federal investments.”
In fiscal year 2020, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) supported the 19 historically black land-grant universities in many ways, including providing $54.7 million for agricultural Extension programs, $62.9 million for research and $14 million to provide scholarships. The USDA continues to partner with land-grant institutions to support The Centers for Excellence Program, which provides enhanced international training and development and increased diversity in the science, technology, engineering, agriculture and mathematics fields.
Connection is published by Virginia State University’s College of Agriculture. Special thanks to everyone who contributed content, photos, ideas and time to this edition.
Executive Editor: Michelle Olgers; Writer/Editor: Lorraine Blackwell; Art Direction, Graphic Design: Brittany R. Hughes
Send address changes and circulation inquiries by email to molgers@vsu.edu. Editorial inquiries and other comments should be sent to Executive Editor, Connection, P.O. Box 9081, Virginia State University, VA 23806 or molgers@vsu.edu.
©2020 Virginia State University College of Agriculture
Dr. M. Ray McKinnie, Dean/1890 Extension Administrator; Dr. Wondi Mersie, Associate Dean/Director of Research; Dr. Janine P. Woods, Associate Administrator VSU Virginia Cooperative Extension; Dr. Michelle Corley, Interim Chair, Associate Professor Department of Agriculture; Dr. Crystal Wynn, Chair and Associate Professor Department of Family and Consumer Sciences; Dr. Berkita Bradford, Chair and Associate Professor Department of Hospitality Management
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