In 1857, Harris Teachers College was formed in St. Louis. Because of institutionalized oppression of African-Americans that permeated this nation and this state, the teaching college refused to admit African-Americans. In 1890, Stowe Teachers College was formed so that African-Americans could achieve their dreams of becoming educators for an African-American community that was shamelessly scorned, savagely mistreated and uniformly deprived of the American dream. Landmark U.S. Supreme Court rulings prompted the merger of these two colleges in 1954.
Despite advancements in racial equality since 1857, sadly the stain and stench of racism persist in 2018, particularly in the portrayal of Harris-Stowe State University by some small segments of our community (“Poor leadership at Harris-Stowe is rewarded,” May 11), fueled by racial biases of certain elements of the media.
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Over the past year, Harris-Stowe has faced a barrage of attacks — attacks that attempt to demean the hard work and sacrifices of dedicated Harris-Stowe professionals, deface the efforts and achievements of Harris-Stowe students and alumni, and devalue the worth of a Harris-Stowe degree. At the same time, the monumental strides and successes of Harris-Stowe, and accomplishments of its degree holders, have been largely ignored.
While Harris-Stowe is not above legitimate criticism and, like any institution, has some challenges (that are being remedied daily), the relentlessly vitriolic attacks on this largely African-American institution, its committed African-American (and non-African-American) professionals, and its predominately African-American student body — with false, misleading and distorted information — can only be characterized as racism, plain and simple, and should not be tolerated by the St. Louis community.
The “true truth” of Harris-Stowe’s recent advancements is telling. Despite significant state underfunding and funding cutbacks, and while other state institutions reduce enrollment, cut programs and terminate staff, Harris-Stowe’s sampling of achievements under the leadership of President Dwaun Warmack and its diverse Board of Regents (three white and three black members) is revealing:
• Harris-Stowe is one of the least expensive state universities with a cost per credit hour of $204 and annual in-state cost of $6,140 ($15,630 with room and board).
• Harris-Stowe’s 2018 application rate is a whopping 814 percent higher than in 2013.
• Harris-Stowe has had a 19.3 percent increase in full-time-equivalent enrollment since 2014, degree production has increased each year since 2014, and the 2018 graduating class, at 177 students, is the largest ever.
• Harris-Stowe is one of the state’s top degree producers in biology and math of African-American students.
• Harris-Stowe provided across-the-board pay increases for all employees despite state funding reductions the past two years.
• Harris-Stowe’s fall-to-spring retention rate for 2017 is close to 90 percent.
• More than 75 percent of Harris-Stowe 2017 graduates obtained gainful employment or graduate school placement.
• Harris-Stowe now includes 43 majors, minors and certificate programs (up from 14 in 2013), a 207 percent increase.
• Harris-Stowe has successful collaborative partnerships with Wells Fargo, Verizon, Washington University, St. Louis University, Goldfarb School of Nursing, Kansas City School of Medicine and St. Louis College of Pharmacy, to name a few.
• Harris-Stowe’s list of distinguished alumni include federal judge Charles A. Shaw, St. Louis City Police Maj. Angela Coonce, Jennings School District Superintendent Art McCoy, University City School District Superintendent Sharonica Hardin-Bartley and legendary news anchor Julius K. Hunter.
• Harris-Stowe adopted an innovative, five-year strategic plan designed to make it a premier center for higher education by 2021.
Anyone interested in learning this “true truth” about Harris-Stowe need go no further than the university’s website (hssu.edu) or can simply sit down with President Warmack over a cup of tea.
Despite having far fewer resources, educating many who are the first in their families to attend college (most being low-to-middle income), and receiving the least amount of state funding, the bang for the buck received from Harris-Stowe is nothing less than phenomenal. Rather than being savagely attacked, denigrated and castigated, this proud, historically black university should be fully embraced, supported and revered.
With the full support of the state, the business community and the St. Louis community at large, Harris-Stowe can become a shining beacon of hope, inspiration and salvation for thousands of at-risk individuals and a model St. Louis-based institution of higher learning. Harris-Stowe and the St. Louis community need and deserve nothing less.
Ronald Alan Norwood is the chairman of the Harris-Stowe State University Board of Regents and a partner at the law firm of Lewis Rice.