Medgar Evers College

Medgar Evers College
source
Name	Medgar Evers College
Established	1970
Type	Public
Parent	City University of New York
President	Dr. Patricia Ramsey
City	Brooklyn
State	New York
Country	United States
Campus	Urban
Website	www.mec.cuny.edu

Medgar Evers College

Medgar Evers College is a senior college of the City University of New York (CUNY) located in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York City. Founded in 1970, it is named in honor of Medgar Evers, the assassinated NAACP field secretary and prominent civil rights activist. The college was established with a mission to provide accessible, high-quality education, particularly to the African American and Caribbean communities of central Brooklyn, and to serve as a living memorial to the ideals of social justice and academic excellence championed by its namesake.

History and founding

The establishment of Medgar Evers College was the result of sustained community advocacy during a period of significant social change. In the late 1960s, community leaders and organizations in central Brooklyn, including the Bedford-Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation, pressed the City University of New York and New York State legislators to create a public college that would address the educational needs of a historically underserved population. The college was officially founded in 1970 by an act of the New York State Legislature. It was named for Medgar Evers, who was murdered in 1963 in Jackson, Mississippi, for his work registering African Americans to vote and fighting racial segregation. The founding president was Dr. Richard L. Trent, who helped shape the institution's community-focused mission. Initially operating from several scattered locations, the college consolidated its operations on a dedicated campus in the 1980s.

Academic profile and mission

Medgar Evers College is a liberal arts college offering bachelor's degrees and associate degrees through its schools: the School of Business, the School of Liberal Arts and Education, and the School of Science, Health and Technology. Its academic mission emphasizes career-oriented and professional programs while maintaining a strong foundation in the liberal arts. Key academic programs include Business Administration, Nursing, Biology, Computer Science, Education, and Public Administration. The college maintains a special commitment to recruiting and supporting students who are often the first in their families to attend college. It is officially designated as a Predominantly Black Institution (PBI) and a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI), reflecting its diverse student body. The Center for Black Literature, housed at the college, is a national resource dedicated to expanding, highlighting, and preserving the contributions of Black writers to American literature.

Role in the Civil Rights Movement

While founded after the peak of the classic phase of the American civil rights movement, Medgar Evers College embodies the movement's legacy through its name, mission, and ongoing educational activism. As a living memorial to Medgar Evers, the college institutionalizes the fight for racial equality and social justice through education. Its curriculum and campus culture often engage with themes of civil rights, social movements, and African-American history. The college serves as a crucial educational pipeline for communities that were direct targets of Jim Crow laws and northern de facto segregation. By providing access to higher education, it continues the movement's work of empowerment and breaking down barriers. The institution frequently hosts lectures, conferences, and events focused on contemporary issues of justice, connecting its historical namesake to ongoing struggles for equity.

Campus and student life

The main campus of Medgar Evers College is located at 1650 Bedford Avenue in Crown Heights. The campus features several key buildings, including the Founders Hall auditorium, the School of Science, Health and Technology building, and the Medgar Evers College Library. Student life is active with numerous clubs, organizations, and NCAA Division III athletic teams known as the Cougars. The Student Government Association plays a significant role in campus governance. The college also hosts the annual Medgar Evers College Film Festival and other cultural events that celebrate the diversity of its community. Given its urban setting, many students are commuters, and the college provides essential support services such as tutoring, career counseling, and childcare to facilitate student success.

Notable people and legacy

Medgar Evers College has produced numerous graduates who have made significant contributions in various fields, upholding the legacy of its namesake. Notable alumni include Dr. Lorraine Hale, co-founder of the Hale House center for children; Una Clarke, the first Caribbean-born woman elected to the New York City Council; and James E. Davis, a New York City Council member. Distinguished faculty have included scholars like John Henrik Clarke, the noted historian and pioneer in the creation of Pan-African studies. The college's legacy is defined by its unwavering commitment to educational access, community service, and the cultivation of leadership within minority communities. It stands as a testament to the belief that education is a fundamental tool for social advancement, a principle central to the life and work of Medgar Evers.

Category:City University of New York Category:Universities and colleges in Brooklyn Category:Educational institutions established in 1970 Category:Medgar Evers