When Did Liberty University First Admit Black Students? (It’s More Complicated Than You Think)
Oh, the age-old debate: which college was the first to welcome Black students with open arms? You’re probably thinking of Oberlin, right? That’s what everyone says, isn’t it? Well, buckle up, because the truth is messier than your aunt’s casserole.
Let’s rewind the clock, folks. Let’s ditch the drama and dive into the facts. You see, the “first” is a tricky word – it depends on what you’re measuring.
- First African American to attend college:Washington and Lee University takes the crown for this one, admitting John Chavis in 1799.
- First African American to earn a bachelor’s degree:Middlebury College gets bragging rights here, with Alexander Lucius Twilight graduating in 1823.
So, where does Oberlin fit into this? While it’s true that Oberlin College proudly declared itself the first “coeducational and interracial” college in 1835, the reality is a bit more nuanced. The school admitted its first Black student, Henry Highland Garnet, in 1834, but it wasn’t until 1835 that they started accepting both men and women, regardless of their race.
Now, let’s talk about Liberty University. Founded in 1971 as Lynchburg Baptist College, Liberty’s early history was, shall we say, less than diverse. The school, under the leadership of Jerry Falwell, Sr., wasn’t exactly known for its welcoming embrace of racial equality.
Fast forward a few years. The school changed its name to Liberty Baptist College in 1976, and then again to Liberty University in 1984. While the name changed, the school’s commitment to diversity seemed to lag behind.
The Lynchburg News revealed a rather unsettling reality: Falwell’s K-12 school explicitly stated that it would “admit whites only,” and for the first two years, the school remained entirely white.
So, when exactly did Liberty University start admitting Black students? It’s a bit of a fuzzy answer. While the school’s official records are a bit hazy, it’s believed that Liberty began admitting Black students sometime in the 1970s. However, the exact year and the number of Black students enrolled during those early years remain unclear.
What we do know is this: In 1985, Liberty became a full-fledged university and started expanding its reach through distance learning programs. Three years later, the student body had swelled to 11,000.
Now, let’s fast forward to the present. While Liberty boasts a diverse student body, with 14.6% of its students identifying as Black or African American, the school has faced criticism for its lack of representation at the leadership level. Of the 29 people listed on Liberty’s website as executive or senior leaders, only one is Black.
This lack of diversity at the top has raised concerns about the school’s commitment to fostering a truly inclusive environment.
The story doesn’t end there. In 2022, Liberty faced a major lawsuit filed by 12 women who accused the school of creating an unsafe environment and mishandling cases of sexual assault and harassment. The women claimed that Liberty’s strict honor code made it “difficult or impossible” for students to report sexual violence.
This lawsuit, along with other allegations of racial and gender bias, has shone a spotlight on Liberty’s struggles with diversity and inclusivity.
So, while Liberty University may have made progress in terms of racial diversity, it still has a long way to go. The school’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity remains questionable, and its leadership needs to do more to address the concerns of its students and alumni.
In conclusion, while Liberty University has undoubtedly made strides in its efforts to be more inclusive, its history and current situation paint a complex picture. The school’s past, its leadership’s actions, and its ongoing struggles with diversity and inclusivity continue to be the subject of debate and scrutiny.
Here’s the takeaway: While the “first” may be a fun trivia question, the true measure of a school’s success lies in its commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive environment where all students feel safe, respected, and empowered. Let’s hope that Liberty University will continue to strive for a more equitable future.