Education Timeline

ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL & MECHANICAL UNIVERSITY

Historical Timeline

1848

Dr. William H. CouncillFounder & 1st President

1873

Before it was AAMU

1875

AAMU

1890

Morrill Act of 1890

1891

Green Bottom Inn

1909

Dr. Walter S. Buchanan2nd President.

1921

Dr. Theophilus R. Parker3rd President

1909

Dr. Joseph F. Drake4th President

Dr. Andrew Hugine, Jr.11th President

Dr. John T. Gibson9th President

ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL & MECHANICAL UNIVERSITY

Historical Timeline

1962

Dr. Richard D. Morrison5th President

1984

Dr. Douglass Covington6th President

1987

Dr. Carl H. Marbury7th President

1992

Dr. David B. Henson8th President

1996

2006

Dr. Robert R. Jennings10th President

2009

2022

Dr. Daniel K. Wims12th President

Dr. Andrew Hugine, Jr.2009-2021

A native South Carolinian, Dr. Hugine has served as president of South Carolina State University in addition to Alabama A&M University. During his tenure, he removed the SACSCOC probationary status and signed several MOUs with various organizations Under his leadership, 12 new academic programs were added, new constructions were built, including a residence hall named after he and his wife, and he invested $54 million in deferred maintenance.

The First Morrill Act of 1862 provided federal funds from the sale of public land to establish an endowment for land-grant colleges for agriculture and mechanical arts. But Senator Justin Morrill believed all should have access. So, the Second Morrill Act of 1890 included access for African Americans to be included in the U.S. Land-grant Higher Education System without discrimination. It also made provision for states that had separate colleges to designate or establish a college to train Black students.

Second Morrill Act of 1890

Dr. Theophilus R. Parker1921-1927

Born on the Eastern Shores of Maryland, and a Morgan College graduate, Theophilus R. Parker became the 3rd president after Buchanan resigned. A mathematician, Parker was able to get the school out of debt within the first couple of years of his tenure. He established night school for people who worked to take classes too.He developed the farm for students to grow their own crops to sell to pay for school.

WILLIAM HOOPER COUNCILL

Born July 12, 1848

Born in Fayetteville, North Carolina, William Hooper Councill's parents were slaves on the Councill plantation. His father escaped in 1854 to Canada, but William, his mother Mary Jane, and his brother Cicero were sold to Judge D.C. Humphreys in Huntsville, Alabama.

• The Greatest Negro the Race Ever Produced

Huntsville State Normal School for Negroes was opened with William Hooper Councill serving as its first principal. Around 1878, industrial education was introduced to students and brought much attention to the school. As a result of this attention, the State Legislature increased funding for the school to $4000 and changed the name to the "State Normal and Industrial School at Huntsville."

A SCHOOL WAS CREATED

May 1, 1875

Dr. Douglass Covington1984-1987

Dr. Covington was a native of Winston-Salem, NC and a graduate of Central State. Her served as the sixth president of AAMU, but he also served other colleges and universities in that capacity. During his tenure, Dr. Covington increased research funds to over $3million yearly, making AAMU one of the leading Black colleges in the nation.

Dr. David B. Henson1992-1995

A native of Orlando, FL, Dr. David Henson was a gradate of Florida A&M University. In addition to serving as 8th President of AAMU, Dr. Henson served as President of Lincoln University. His focus was to reverse negative publicity about the University and institute solid financial accounting procedures. During his tenure, the Mamie Foster Living and Learning Complex and the School of Business were built.

A native of Auburn, AL, Joseph F. Drake graduated from Talladega College. The College continued to grow under his leadership. By 1941, the College owned 600 acres of land. In 1948, the name changed again to Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical College. In 1961, AAMU deeded 32 acres of land to the Alabama State Board of Education and is now J.F. Drake State Community and Technical College.

Dr. Joseph F. Drake1927-1962

The Green Bottom Inn was well known for its horseracing. Currently identified as The Quad is where the horses raced. In 1891, the property was sold to William Hooper Councill who repurposed it for the school. In 1931, a fire destroyed most of the Inn, but the wall remains part of the current Buchanan Hall and "the Block".

Green Bottom Inn

Dr. Richard D. Morrison 1962-1984

A native of utica, ms, Dr. Richard D. morrison became the 5th president of alabama agricultural and mechanical college. dr. morrison was a graduate of tuskegee institute and was a protege' of dr. george washington carver. in 1969, the name was changed to alabama a&m university and was regorganized as a result. he served AAMU for 47 years.

On December 9, 1873, legislation was approved for the establishment of a Colored Normal School at Huntsville. The Act authorized an appropriation of $1000 and was to educate colored teachers. Additional requirements included: * free tuition for persons who agreed to teach for free for two years once they completed * the school must maintain a minimum of 25 students at all times

Dr. Carl Marbury, a native of Leeds, AL was the first AAMU alum to become president. The McCormick Hospital Building was the first hospital for black residents in Madison County Alabama built in 1911. However, under President Marbury’s tenure, he renovated and used the building for teacher offices. IN 1988-1989 AAMU Dr. Marbury and the AAMU family salute Jearl Miles, Dannette Young, and Grace Jackson for their outstanding accomplishments during the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul Korea. Dannette Young won an Olympic Gold Medal as a 4x100-meter track relay team member. Grace Jackson won an Olympic Silver medal in the 200 meters.

Dr. Carl H. Marbury1987-1991

Dr. Daniel K. Wims2022-present

On January 1, 2022, Dr. Daniel K. Wims took the helm of the University to become the 12th President.Prior to becoming President, Dr. Wims served as the Provost and Vice President of Research and Sponsored Programs for twelve years. Since taking the helm of the University, there has been record enrollment numbers, three new degrees are being started, and campus infrastructure has improved with new buildings. I

A graduate of Morehouse College, Dr. Robert Jennings served as the 10th President of the University. Under his leadership, the Bulldog Transit System was established. Construction began on the Student Health and Wellness Center during his tenure.

Dr. Robert R. Jennings2006-2008

In 1909, William Hooper Councill died and his son-in-law, Walter Solomon Buchanan became the 2nd president. Born in Troy, AL, Walter Solomon Buchanan was a Tuskegee Institute graduate. Under his leadership, the school year was divided into two terms (semesters). There were two main goals at this time: a) train industrial workers and b) train teachers. Night school was started during his tenure. The goal was to encourage more young people to obtain an education. Various athletic sports and band were encouraged. The desire of the college was to maintain at all times "a healthy body in the pursuit of mental attainments."

Dr. Walter S. Buchanan1921-1927

Dr. Walter S. Buchanan1921-1927

In 1909, William Hooper Councill died and his son-in-law, Walter Solomon Buchanan became the 2nd president. Born in Troy, AL, Walter Solomon Buchanan was a Tuskegee Institute graduate. Under his leadership, the school year was divided into two terms (semesters). There were two main goals at this time: a) train industrial workers and b) train teachers. Night school was started during his tenure. The goal was to encourage more young people to obtain an education. Various athletic sports and band were encouraged. The desire of the college was to maintain at all times "a healthy body in the pursuit of mental attainments."

A nativie of Montgomery, AL, Dr. John T. Gibson was a Tuskegee Institute alumni and became the 9th President of Alabama A&M University. AAMU welcomed the first Nobel Laureate for the Annual Putcha Venkateswarlu Memorial Lecture in Physics. AAMU Research Institute began operation AAMU joins the SWAC First black Tie Scholarship ball held under his leadership

Dr. John T. Gibson1996-2005