YMCA : Racine
Age. : 17
Date : 04/04/13
This morning we woke up a little later since we didn't have to be on the bus till 8:30am. We left at about 9:20am after everyone had breakfast and grabbed there things. We had about a 25min to 35min ride to Rust College.
Rust College was established in 1866 by the Freedman's Aid Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Its founders were missionaries from the North who opened a school in Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church, accepting adults of all ages, as well as children, for instruction in elementary subjects. A year later the first building on the present campus was erected.
The school has approximately 1000 students. The primary focus for the school is Math and Science.
We met a great Recruiter for the school. His name was Thaddious Jefferson. He welcomed us to the campus for the tour.
We met the 11th President of Rust College. Mr. David Beckly spoke to us for a long period of time about Rust College and it's personal touch to education. Mr. Beckly made it clear that Rust College is not for everyone and doesn't want to grow to be a very large school. The vision of the school is to stay focused on providing a personal touch to education. The student to teach ratio for example was 17:1. The other interesting fact about Rust College was the $12,900 dollar tuition included books, room and board plus meals.
One other cool fact is that Miles and Mr. Beckly are cousins.
During the tour, we were able to visit the campus radio station. The radio station was great. They allowed Lamount Koker to get on the radio and be broadcasted live to the county.
We saw several more buildings and learned a lot. After walking around the campus, we headed to the cafeteria to eat lunch. We had a SOULFOOD lunch!!! It was delicious. It was the best lunch ever on the tour so far. We loaded the bus and left the campus after lunch.
We visited Memphis State University, next. Memphis State was founded in 1912 and has a student population of approximately 22,000 students. Memphis State is not an Historical Black College or University. However, it was great to see the school. They gave us a bus tour of the campus due to the fact that it was raining outside.
We were able to stop three times to see the Dorms, Student Center and Book Store. For about 20min, Hunter and Crystal showed us around the campus.
After touring MSU, we went to the Lorraine Motel the site of the Assination of Dr. Martin Luther King. The assination took place April 4th, 1968. It was exactly 45yrs ago on this date. It was very touching knowing that I was in the place where he was assinated.
Passage from the Moutaintop Speech of 1968.
Display infront of the Loraine Hotel.
Instead of just leaving, we stayed for short program. The program was put together by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated in tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King. The program was incredible. Also, Mr. Stan, Mr. Vel and Mr. Dan all participated in the tribute to Dr. King and were apart of the program.
I stayed for the program it was cold and rainy. However, it was great how many people came out to celebrate his life.
The message was given by Pastor Keith Norman, Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church (in Binghampton).
The distinguished gentlmen of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. The oldest black greek letter fraternity, founded in 1906.
Today was a pretty good day! I am looking foward to the last day of the tour...
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