Over 600 higher education leaders and policymakers virtually attended an Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU) webinar to celebrate the 130th anniversary of the Morrill Act of 1890.
In 1862, the Morrill Act was passed, which granted each state proceeds from the sale of public land to establish colleges that were designed to teach agriculture, military tactics, mechanical arts and classical studies. However, due to segregation, Black Americans were restricted in southern and border states from attending those institutions. Therefore, in 1890, a second Morrill Act was established to allow for the creation of one Black and one White institution within those states, according to APLU.
“The fact that each of our institutions has been created to provide that access when the idea that we are all created equal did not extend to the individuals that made up our student bodies is never far from our minds,” said Dr. Harold Lee Martin, Sr., chancellor of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.
The two-hour webinar included panel discussions featuring presidents of 1890 land-grant universities and business leaders within the public and private sector.
“The 1890s have an incredible story,” said Congresswoman Dr. Alma S. Adams. “An ongoing legacy of educating great Black leaders, academicians and innovators. Even in their early days, these institutions and the work of their professors, students and alumni changed the face of America. Now, 130 years later, our schools are carrying on that work and building on that story.”
There are currently 19 1890 land-grant universities across the nation that contribute more than $4.4 billion to their local communities and serve more than 90,000 students a year, according to Adams.
Despite this, institutions face limited funding and resources, further emphasized by the COVID-19 pandemic, including the digital divide. Though technology has assisted during a time of remote learning and work, many students lack access to technology and Wi-Fi needed to complete their coursework.
