Alabama State University Celebrates 150th Birthday

[yallerdawg]

Alabama State University has reached a major milestone in its history.

Its celebrating its Sesquicentennial birthday after turning 150 years old Monday.

School officials say it makes Alabama State the oldest ‘state sponsored’ historically black liberal arts university in the nation.

Alabama State grew out of the Lincoln Normal School in Marion which was founded in 1867 by a group of newly freed former slaves.

"We want all the people to look at the model of the Marion nine who put together $500 dollars to really help build this,” said ASU Vice President Zillah Fluker.

“And imagine if they put an investment now what that could become in 50, 100, 150 years, so the focal point is making sure that Alabama State University is here for generations to come.”

Fluker says Alabama State has transformed the lives of tens of thousands of people through education.

Fluker also says the university contributes more than $900 million dollars a year to the state and local economy.

http://www.alabamanews.net/2017/07/18/alabama-state-university-celebrates-150th-birthday/