LITTLE ROCK, AK — Throughout its existence, Shorter College as an institution, has experienced similar crisis to the ones experienced by the segment of society that it was founded to uplift. The ups and downs that Shorter College enjoyed or endured over the years can all be attributed to the bishop or the administration at any particular time. The college as a gateway to opportunities is vastly more important than any self-serving bishop or a misguided president who was at the helm during periods of assumed or alleged misuse.
At this time there are strong indicators that the current and 45th president is heading in the direction that the inspired founders intended. Dr. O. Jerome Green is moving swiftly and precisely to improve and expand the Shorter College legacy. While the tuition rates at government-sponsored schools have skyrocketed, Shorter College has always managed to educate thousands of socially and economically deprived students while charging reasonable admission fees. And at the very least, students are elevated to become productive members of society.
Among those who attended Shorter College were civil rights pioneer, Scipio A. Jones who became nationally known during the 1919 Elaine Arkansas race riot. Also, civil rights legend, Daisy Bates who guided the Little Rock Nine while integrating Little Rock Central High School in 1957. Many other former students of Shorter are scattered around this vast country.
It should not be overlooked that Shorter has not forgotten those who are incarcerated. A program, started by the late civil rights activist Rev. J. F. Cooley in the mid-70’s, takes college classes inside of prison walls. The program is now being continued by the current administration.
During the height of the Civil Rights Movement, students and staff at Shorter were keenly aware of the unstable racial climate around the country. Between 1964 and 1966, students from Shorter and other central Arkansas Black Colleges participated in marches organized by the Little Rock NAACP, protesting segregated facilities in downtown Little Rock. Other times, marchers headed down west Capitol Avenue to direct attention to the segregated cafeteria in the State Capitol building.
Although Shorter College was established to render a quality education to many who were denied that right, academics were not the only opportunity provided. From time-to-time the school sponsored extracurricular activities.
Historically, Black people made up one hundred percent of the student body at Shorter College. However, during the last couple of decades, students of other races and cultures, including whites, have found their way to Shorter. The vision which inspired the Founding Fathers to establish Shorter College now includes all people who are seeking a path to a better life.
Contact Shorter College at 604 Locust Street, North Little Rock, Arkansas 72114, call (501) 374-6305 or visit www.shortercollege.edu/ Some information in this article was provided by Rev. Mary Williams, Director of Alumni Services, Shorter College and Mr. Cary Bradburn, North Little Rock History Commission.
I have several friends who attended Shorter College, and I am very proud to say, my ex-high-school principal, Mr. J.R. Macbeth, taught at Shorter in the early ‘Seventies.’ I am so happy to learn that they are still moving forward, educating our youth, and that tapestry, which was woven for people of color, now include those of other hues, and different walks of life.