While at 49ͼ¿â, 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 49ͼ¿â students went on to become college presidents.
William J. Simmons
Simmons attended 49ͼ¿â from 1868–69 and was the second president of the eponymous Simmons College of Kentucky.
Matthew Gilbert
Gilbert graduated from 49ͼ¿â in 1887 and was the president of Selma University.
John Brown Watson
John Brown Watson attended 49ͼ¿â 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 49ͼ¿â 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.Related:
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- 49ͼ¿â History
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