Black Nashville in History & Memory

This Is a Black and White Photo of the Main or Academic Building Taken in 1912 at Tennessee A & I State Normal School Now Tennessee State University.

William Jasper Hale, (daughter),Gwendolyn (wife) Hattie Hodgkins

By virtue of a 1909 Act of the General Assembly, the Agricultural and Industrial State Normal School was created, along with two other normal schools in the state of Tennessee, and began serving students on June 19, 1912. William Jasper Hale was appointed as head of the school. In 1922, the institution was raised to the status of a four-year teachers' college and was empowered to grant the bachelor's degree. The first degrees were granted in June 1924. During the same year, the institution became known as the Agricultural and Industrial State Normal College. In 1927, "Normal" was dropped from the name of the college (TSU History).

David Anderson Was the Founder of the First Student Organizations for Young Men. Originally Named the Billy Hale Jr. Club (In Honor of the President's son). The Club Was Renamed the Anderson-Billy Hale Club following Anderson's Sudden Death Christmas Day, 1915.

Credit: Tennessee State University Library Digital Collections