21 Century Mission for Historically Black Colleges and Universities

By

Dr. Sherman N. Miller

12/8/2007

In the late 19th Century when Historically Black Colleges and Universities commenced, they offered white segregationists assurance that they would not have to compete directly against African Americans on an equal footing. The limited resources going into the HBCUs was a godsend to white segregationists for it insured that segregated black institutions would find it very difficult to offer mainstream caliber programs. Yet black institutions were able to produce many great black leaders and educators with these limited funds. Many black institutions today, however, may perceive yesterday’s civil rights victory of racial integration as a two-edged sword for their once guaranteed black student base evaporated leaving them in financial peril. High statured Traditionally White Colleges and Universities (TWCU) are now seeking high caliber minority students for their diversity efforts.

There has been plenty of debate surrounding the present role of the HBCUs in today’s racially integrationist society. Some argue that there is no longer a need for the HBCU. What is clear is the education market forces are saying that yesterday’s HBCU operational model is obsolete. A few forces to consider in devising a 21th Century strategy to foster the reemergence of the HBCUs are:

  1. The median age of the US according to the 2000 census is 35.3 years.
  2. White superstars are now adopting black children from Africa.
  3. The Middle Eastern political instability demonized their natural resources, thereby forcing the United States, European Union, Japan, Korea, and emerging economies such as, China and India to seek alternative suppliers of vital resources.

The 35.3 median age suggests that the college age population has no experience with yesteryear’s civil rights struggles, so they may not view HBCUs with any racial allegiance. The high class ambiance of TWCU is very enchanting to the "Black Talented Tenth," thereby putting some HBCUs at a competitive disadvantage in attracting black college-ready students.

The high profile adoptions of African children by superstars Madonna and Angelina Jolie signal globally that black people have evolved from yesteryear’s chattel to today’s human beings. However, there are those blacks that will argue that these adopted black children will suffer cultural identify crises from not getting black culture during their upbringing.

The Chinese economic industrial complex now is forcing the EU to work seriously with African nations beyond the role of yesterday’s colonial overlords. On December 7, 2007, The BBC News reported, "China has imported a third of its oil needs from Africa, but in return has poured money into infrastructure projects, from railways in Gabon to roads in Democratic Republic of Congo and schools and hospitals in Angola." It is also reported that "European funds are linked to adherence to human rights and good governance. African states are attracted to Chinese money because it tends to come without strings."

The BBC quantizes the impact of the competitive environment that is emerging in Africa. "EU exports to Africa have increased by 26bn euro since 2000 to 92bn euro . . . African exports to EU have increased by 41bn euro since 2000 to 126bn euro."

As Africa continues to develop into a major world class marketplace, America’s future participation may be enhanced with the merchant class it sends to deal with tomorrow’s economic powerhouse. HBCUs offer black students an opportunity to study and work in environments that are overwhelmingly black and run by many black administrators. A number of HBCUs have black professors who were born in Africa who know the local African cultures firsthand. Hence, HBCUs are ideal institutions for developing tomorrow’s business leaders who can work in and with African nations.

A study of the history of Notre Dame University on their website reveals that they realized a similar change in market dynamics. The faculty capability was strengthened, "Beginning in the 1930s the University was strengthened by an influx of distinguished European scholars fleeing the Nazis, and, drawing on their expertise, Father (later Cardinal) John A. O'Hara, CSC, significantly expanded the graduate school to include programs in biology, physics, philosophy and mathematics." A paradigm shift in operation came, "Two defining moments in Notre Dame's history occurred at Father Hesburgh's direction: the transference of governance in 1967 from the Congregation of Holy Cross to a predominantly lay board of trustees and the admission of women to undergraduate studies in 1972."

"The explosive growth of the University - both in size and in stature - gained national prominence during the 35-year tenure of Father Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., who himself became an internationally known figure for his work in education, the Church, human rights and world affairs. The Hesburgh era saw Notre Dame's enrollment, faculty and degrees awarded all double; its library volumes increase five-fold; its endowment rise from less than $10 million to more than $400 million; its physical facilities grow from 48 to 88 buildings; its faculty compensation increase ten-fold and its research funding, more than twenty-fold."

Today, Notre Dame University’s endowment fund is estimated at 4 billion dollars. Clearly, HBCUs can learn a great deal from the history of Notre Dame University. But the key learning HBCUs may take from the Notre Dame University success story is that one must be mindful of changing market conditions and have a willingness to make changes that run counterpoised to heritage but that are necessary for tomorrow’s success. Will we see the endowment funds and government grants at HBCUs (Cheyney University, Delaware State University, Lincoln University, Wiley College and so on) grow as multinational corporations recognize that these institutions can produce the tomorrow’s professionals needed to offer the United States of America a competitive advantage in capturing significant shares of up-and-coming African markets?