Title
Honoring Cheyney University of Pennsylvania on the Occasion of its 180th Founders Day celebration.
Body
WHEREAS, Cheyney University was founded as the African Institute on February 25, 1837, through the bequest of Quaker philanthropist Richard Humphries, who envisioned an institution “to instruct the descendants of the African race in school learning, in the various branches of the mechanic arts, trades and agriculture, in order to prepare and fit and qualify them to act as teachers”; and
WHEREAS, The institution that would later become Cheyney University, originally known as the Institute for Colored Youth, operated at various locations in and around the City of Philadelphia until 1902, when its Board of Managers recommended the purchase of George Cheyney’s farm at Cheyney Station, roughly 25 miles west of Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, In 1914, after a suggestion by newly-hired President Leslie Pinckney Hill that its name should better reflect the nature of the school and the purpose of its work, the school’s name was officially changed to Cheyney Training School for Teachers; and
WHEREAS, In 1922, after more than eight decades under the direction of a Quaker Board of Managers, Cheyney was purchased by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for $75,000; and
WHEREAS, In 1930, Pennsylvania’s Council of Education recommended an extension of the school’s curricula, leading to the first awarding of baccalaureate degrees in 1932; and
WHEREAS, In 1951, following the recommendation of the Middle States Association, Cheyney Training School for Teachers became Cheyney State Teachers College, and by legislative act in 1959, the school’s name was changed yet again, this time to Cheyney State College; and
WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education was established by statute on July 1, 1983, and by joining the System as a charter member, Cheyney State College became Cheyney University of Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, Cheyney University has produced more than 30,000 graduates, a good number of whom ascended to positions of leadership in our City and Commonwealth, and some, like the late “60 Minutes” correspondent Ed Bradley, the late legendary civil rights activist Bayard Rustin, and Philadelphia Tribune Publisher and CEO Robert W. Bogle, rose to the top of their respective professions; and
WHEREAS, Today, Cheyney University students, who represent a variety of races, cultures, and nationalities, still become teachers, but also enter careers such as journalism, medicine, business, science & technology, law, communications, and government; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That Council does honor Cheyney University of Pennsylvania on the occasion of its 180th Founders Day celebration.
RESOLVED FURTHER, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Cheyney University of Pennsylvania evidencing the sincere admiration and respect of this legislative body.
End