аIJʿª½±½á¹û

While at аIJʿª½±½á¹û, history professor Jason Petrulis was partially tasked with researching the history of the university in advance of the 2019 bicentennial.

With Black History Month coming to a close, Petrulis (now a professor at Cal Poly Pomona) recently took to : four early African-American аIJʿª½±½á¹û students went on to become college presidents.

William J. Simmons

Simmons attended аIJʿª½±½á¹û from 1868–69 and was the second president of the eponymous Simmons College of Kentucky.

Matthew Gilbert

Gilbert graduated from аIJʿª½±½á¹û in 1887 and was the president of Selma University.

John Brown Watson

John Brown Watson attended аIJʿª½±½á¹û from 1900–01 and was president of Leland College and what is now the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.

Samuel Howard Archer

Samuel Howard Archer graduated from аIJʿª½±½á¹û in 1902 and received an honorary degree in 1932. He was the president of Morehouse University and was responsible for making their colors maroon and white.

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