History of B-CU

On October 3, 1904, a very determined young black woman, Mary McLeod Bethune, opened the Daytona Literary and Industrial Training School for Negro Girls with $1.50, faith in God and five little girls: Lena, Lucille, and Ruth Warren, Anna Geiger and Celest Jackson. Through Dr. Bethune’s lifetime, the school underwent several stages of growth and development and on May 24, 1919, the Daytona Educational and Industrial Institute was changed to Daytona Normal and Industrial Institute. In 1923 the school merged with Cookman Institute of Jacksonville, Florida (founded in 1872) and became co-ed while it also gained the prestigious United Methodist Church affiliation. Although the merger of Bethune’s school and Cookman Institute began in 1923, it was not finalized until 1925 when both schools collaborated to become the Daytona-Cookman Collegiate Institute. In 1931, the College became accredited by the Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools of the Southern States, as a Junior College with class B status, and on April 27, 1931, the school’s name was officially changed to Bethune-Cookman College to reflect the leadership of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune.

In 1936, Dr. Bethune was appointed administrative assistant for Negro Affairs (her title changed in 1939 to Director of the Division of Negro Affairs) of the National Youth Administration (NYA) making her the first African American woman to head a federal agency. As of result of this position, much-needed government funds were funneled into the school. While traveling with the NYA Dr. Bethune appointed Mr. Abram L. Simpson as acting president from 1937-39. In 1941, the Florida State Department of Education approved a 4-year baccalaureate program offering liberal arts and teacher education. Dr. Bethune retired in 1942 at which time James E. Colston became president until 1946 when Dr. Bethune resumed the presidency for a year.

During the tenure of Dr. Colston he helped finalize the process of the State of Florida’s accreditation for the teacher’s education program and accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools (SACS). The school became a charter member of the newly formed United Negro College Fund, which was created in 1943 by Dr. Bethune and Tuskegee Institute president Frederick Patterson. Lastly, he expanded the faculty and by 1945-46 the faculty had grown from nine at the beginning of his tenure to twenty-three, all of which were full time, with the exception of one.

Richard V. Moore, Sr. became the third president in 1947. During his tenure, which lasted until 1975, Dr. Moore led a significant expansion of academic programs offered by Bethune-Cookman College, creating new majors in Music, Physical Education, Pre-Medicine, Pre-Dental and Pre-Pharmacy during his first year in office. B-CC also gained full membership in the SACS in 1960. Sixteen new buildings were constructed and/or renovated including the Carl Southwick Swisher Library, which was erected and dedicated during the 1970-71 school year. Enrollment also doubled during Dr. Moore’s tenure, with faculty increasing at commensurate levels.

Oswald P. Bronson, Sr., Ph.D., an alumnus of the College, served as the institution’s president for 29 years – from 1975 until 2004 when he was named president emeritus. Commitment to academic excellence was the cornerstone of his presidency. Under his leadership, major fields of study increased from 12 to 37. In addition, seven continuing education centers for students began operating throughout the state. While maintaining accreditation by SACS-COC, Florida State Board of Education, and The University Senate of The United Methodist Church Board of Higher Education, the college added new accreditations in the Nursing and the Teacher Education programs.

In August 2004, Trudie Kibbe Reed, Ed.D. was appointed to the presidency by the Board of Trustees. The fifth president of the institution, Dr. Reed was the first woman to serve in this capacity since Dr. Bethune. Under her leadership, in 2006 the first Master’s degree program was added, and in 2007 the College achieved university-status, officially becoming Bethune-Cookman University. Further, Dr. Reed launched the International Institute for Civic Participation and Social Responsibility as a way to increase student learning about citizenship and leadership development. Additionally, the University’s physical plan expanded and improved with the purchase of nearby properties and construction, which included the Michael and Libby Johnson Center for Civic Engagement, the L. Gale Lemerand School of Nursing Building, Lee Rhyant Residential Life Center, and the Alexis Pugh and Eugene Zimmerman Scholarship Houses.

In May 2012, the Board of Trustees appointed Edison O. Jackson, Ed.D. as Interim President and in March 2013 he was appointed to serve as the sixth president of Bethune-Cookman University. Under Dr. Jackson’s leadership, the University increased enrollment; added new undergraduate and graduate degree programs as well as program accreditations; increased internship and study-abroad opportunities; established the Online College, the Center for Entrepreneurship & Economic Development (B-CU CEED), and the Mike Curb Institute; strengthened its town and gown relationships; and enhanced the infrastructure through new construction and expansive renovations. Upon his resignation in July 2017, the Board of Trustees appointed Judge Hubert L. Grimes (retired) as Interim President. Prior to this appointment, Judge Grimes served as the University’s General Counsel and Director of the Center for Law and Social Justice.

On July 1, 2019, following a national search, the Board of Trustees appointed E. LaBrent Chrite, Ph.D. to serve as the seventh president of B-CU. Dr. Chrite brings extensive global and executive academic leadership experience. Since his arrival, he has focused on the placement of talented and capable leaders as well as the reorganization of key departments in support of the University’s vision. His strategic efforts and innovation have included an overhaul of the academic enterprise, enhanced student support systems, and improved fiscal stability and constituent relationships.

Since 1943, Bethune-Cookman University (B-CU) has graduated more than 19,000 students. Traditionally, B-CU has maintained intercollegiate athletic programs and instrumental and choral groups that have achieved national recognition. Many alumni are employed in the fields of education, medicine, business, politics, government, science, religion, athletics, and environmental sciences.

(Bibliographic Information: Bethune-Cookman College, 1904-1994: The Answered Prayer to a Dream by Dr. Sheila Y. Flemming)

TIMELINE

1872 - Cookman Institute was founded in Jacksonville, Florida

1904 - Daytona Literary and Industrial Training School for Negro Girls was founded

1923 - Merger began between co-ed Cookman Institute and Daytona Normal and Industrial Institute

1931 - Receives full accreditation as a junior college

1941 - Four-year baccalaureate program for liberal arts and teacher education is approved by the Florida Department of Education

2007 - Achieves University status