MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2016 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Stone, Blackwell, Jackson (32nd), Jackson (11th), Barnett, Frazier, McMahan, Norwood, Simmons (12th)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE SESQUICENTENNIAL (150TH) CELEBRATION OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF HISTORIC RUST COLLEGE IN HOLLY SPRINGS, MISSISSIPPI.
WHEREAS, Rust College in Holly Springs, Mississippi, is the premier private liberal arts college in North Mississippi, serving young people from throughout the world. Its vision for the future reflects teaching and learning internal and external to the classroom, where students prepare for careers in an environment that nurtures academic and personal development; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors, President, faculty, staff and students are participating in their Sesquicentennial Celebration of the founding of Rust College during the 2016-2017 school year; and
WHEREAS, Rust College is an historically Black, coeducational, senior liberal arts college founded in 1866 by the Freedman's Aid Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church to offer quality programs in business, education, humanities, science and math, and social science to prepare students for leadership and service in a global society. 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. In 1870, the school was chartered as Shaw University, honoring the Reverend S.O. Shaw, who made a gift of $10,000.00 to the new institution. In 1892, the name was changed to Rust University to avoid confusion with another Shaw University. The name was a tribute to Richard S. Rust of Cincinnati, Ohio, Secretary of the Freedman's Aid Society. In 1915, the title was changed to the more realistic name, Rust College; and
WHEREAS, as students progressed, high school and college courses were added to the curriculum, and in 1878 two students graduated from the college department. As public schools for African-Americans became more widespread the need for private schools decreased, and in 1930 the grade school was discontinued. The high school continued to function until 1953. A significant change in the administration of the institution took place in 1920 when Dr. M.S. Davage became President, the first African-American to hold that position. Dr. L.M. McCoy (1924), his successor, was the first alumnus to serve his Alma Mater as President. He was followed in 1957 by Dr. Earnest A. Smith, an alumnus, Class of 1937. In 1967, Dr. William A. McMillan, a non-alumnus, assumed the presidency. In 1993, Dr. David L. Beckley, an alumnus, Class of 1967, became the eleventh President of Rust College; and
WHEREAS, among approximately 20,000 former students of Rust College, many completed only their elementary or secondary education. However, more than 5,500 have graduated from the college department. Among these alumni are Bishops of the United Methodist Church and other Church denominations, public schoolteachers and administrators, college presidents, lawyers, physicians, businessmen, government leaders and ministers; and
WHEREAS, significant dates of Rust College: Shaw School established in Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church with Dr. A.C. McDonald as the first President, 1866; Erection of the first building (McDonald Hall) on the present campus, 1867; Institution chartered as Shaw University by the State of Mississippi, 1868; The State of Mississippi authorized Shaw College to award degrees, May 26, 1870; the first two college graduates were Robert Q. Adams and Wesley Thomas, 1878; the name of the institution was changed from Shaw University to Rust University, 1892; the institution was placed under the auspices of the Board of Education of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 1914; the name of the institution changed from Rust University to Rust College, 1915; Ms. Natalie Doxey started the Rust College A'Cappella Choir; the Elementary School was discontinued, 1930; Rust Hall burned in 1940. This five-story building housed administrative offices, the library, dormitories for men and women, dining hall, music department, auditorium, classrooms for college courses, and a gymnasium; the high school department was discontinued, 1953; completion of Wiff Dormitory, Gross Dormitory and McDonald Science Hall, 1965; football at Rust was discontinued in 1965; the G.I. Dormitory for male students was torn down to build the Science Building, 1965; Institute for Community Services (ICS) Head Start was established, 1966; the Leontyne Price Library was completed, 1970; completed Davage-Smith Dormitory, which housed 170 male students, and E.L. Rust Hall, which housed 196 female students, 1970; Rust College was accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, 1970; new Physical Education Building was completed (W.A. McMillan Center), 1971; modular scheduling program instituted and the Doxey Fine Arts Building was completed, 1974; R.A. and Ruth M. Brown Mass Communication Center housing WURC Radio and RC-TV2 Television Station was completed, 1981; Rust College Accreditation was reaffirmed by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, 1984; WURC, a noncommercial Radio Station, was established on campus, 1987; Emma Elzy Residence Hall was completed, 1991; erection of a Post Office and Student Washerette and the Ervin "Magic" Johnson Sports Arena was completed, 1992; "A New Era: In Quest of Excellence," 1993; John Davis Plant Operations Building was completed, 1999; David L. Beckley Conference Service Center was completed, 2000; James A. Elam Chapel was completed, 2001; Rust College Accreditation was reaffirmed by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, 2004; Hamilton Science Center was completed, 2008; and Rust College received Airliewood, an antebellum former slave plantation estate a few blocks from the campus, 2011; built in 1858. Airliewood served as living quarters for General Ulysses Grant during the Civil War; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we join the administration, faculty and students of Rust College in acknowledging this landmark event in higher education in Mississippi at an institution which enhances educational opportunities in our state and honors the rich history of Holly Springs, Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby join the administration, faculty and students of Rust College and the City of Holly Springs in recognizing the Sesquicentennial (150th) Celebration of this Historically Black College, and extend the best wishes of the Legislature on this auspicious occasion.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be transmitted to Rust College President David Beckley for presentation to the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Rust College, and to the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of Holly Springs, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.