House Resolution 56

A RESOLUTION DESIGNATING MARCH 26, 2024, AS RUST COLLEGE DAY AT THE CAPITOL.

WHEREAS, established in 1866, by the Freedman's Aid Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Rust College was founded by 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, and a year later, the first building on the present campus was erected; and

WHEREAS, in 1870, the school was chartered as Shaw University, honoring the Reverend S.O. Shaw, who made a gift of $10,000 to the new institution, and in 1892, the name was changed to Rust University to avoid confusion with another Shaw University, with the new name being a tribute to Richard S. Rust of Cincinnati, Ohio, Secretary of the Freedman's Aid Society, and in 1915, the name was changed to 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, and as public schools for African Americans became more widespread, the need for private schools decreased, and in 1930, the grade school was discontinued, but the high school continued to function until 1953; and

WHEREAS, a significant change in the administration of this distinguished institution took place in 1920, when Dr. M.S. Davage became the first African-American president, to hold that position, and Dr. L. M. McCoy (1924), his successor, was the first alumnus to serve his Alma Mater as president, and he was followed in 1957, by Dr. Earnest A. Smith, an alumnus, class of 1937, and in 1967, Dr. William A. McMillan, a non-alumnus assumed the presidency, and in 1993, Dr. David L. Beckley, an alumnus, class of 1967, became the 11th president of Rust College, in 2020, Dr. Ivy Taylor became the 12th, and first female president of Rust College, and in 2023, Dr. Robert M. Dixon was named interim 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, and among these alumni are bishops of the United Methodist Church and other church denominations, public school teachers and administrators, college presidents, lawyers, physicians, business and government leaders and ministers; and

WHEREAS, equipping and inspiring students for excellence and service in their communities and throughout the world, Rust College is a student-centered college where everyone is committed to the success of all students, and it recognizes the threefold functions of education as teaching, learning, research, and community service, with its primary mission as teaching; and

WHEREAS, Rust College has dynamic and excellent associate and baccalaureate degree programs designed to support the cultural, moral, and spiritual development of its students, and is grounded in its legacy and commitment to social justice; and

WHEREAS, with a vision that reflects an institution of learning, inside and outside of the classroom, Rust College prepares its students for careers as they study in an environment that nurtures academic and personal development; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to commend extraordinary Mississippi academic institutions, especially those such as Rust College, whose dedication to academic excellence and commitment to its students brings honor to this illustrious college, and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby designate March 26, 2024, as Rust College Day at the Capitol.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Dr. Robert M. Dixon, President of Rust College, and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.