Thursday, June 26, 2014

#98: Harris-Stowe State University

Just within a walking distance from the Grand Central Arts district and Saint Louis University sits this historically black educational institution. Here are some interesting facts about the university:

  • Motto: Inspiring change
  • Founded in 1857, it was the first public teacher institution west of the Mississippi River.
  • It was founded as a 'normal school' (name for a college that trains high school graduates to be teachers) for whites, and was named Harris Teachers College, after William Torrey Harris.
  • In 1890, a black 'normal school' was founded and was named after author Harriet Beecher Stowe (famous for Uncle Tom's Cabin)
  • The Harris and Stowe schools were merged as a result from the 1954 Brown vs. Board of Education Supreme Court ruling
  • In 2005, the school attained university status, and the name was changed to Harris-Stowe State University.
  • Harris Teachers College was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004.
  • It is one of only two historically black colleges in Missouri.
  • Notable alumni include former St. Louis television news anchor Julius Hunter, and Bobby Wilks, the first African-American promoted to Captain of the United States Coast Guard











Harris-Stowe State University on FB
Wikipedia link
Official website


3026 Laclede Ave., ST. LOUIS, MO, 63103
Cake artist: Linda Thompson

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