Opening Doors
One step at a time...
December 17, 1947 - Austin Seminary faculty makes the following decision on the application of a black student:
“The application of Lonnie R. Proctor, a Negro, for admission to the Seminary as a theological student was presented. No action by the faculty was deemed necessary, inasmuch as the application goes automatically to the Board of Trustees.”
May 19, 1948 - Austin Seminary Board of Trustees approves admittance of African American students, but does not approve accommodations such as housing.
“That the Board approve the admission of Negro candidates for the Presbyterian ministry to the regular courses in the Seminary, provided... that it be clearly understood the Seminary cannot at the present time provide housing, room or board for such men.”
May 9, 1950 - Faculty approves the admission of Austin Seminary’s first African-American student, Daniel Clark Jr., a graduate of Tillotson College (now Huston-Tillotson University).
September 16, 1950 - shortly after the start of classes, the faculty voted to make an exception to the a policy preventing African American students from eating in the dining hall on behalf of Daniel Clark Jr.
“[The faculty] voted that Dan Clark could take his noon meals in the dining hall if necessary to facilitate his attendance on afternoon classes and eliminate a trip across the City to Tillotson College and return.”
May 23, 1960 - The Austin Seminary faculty meet and make the following motion:
“The faculty of the Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, in light of our understanding of the Christian faith and in keeping with the declarations of the General Assemblies of our Churches, record our convictions that all people regardless of color or national background should be sought as members of local congregations; that the churches should offer guidance to the community in times of tension, both by act and word. We support the right of everyone to be served in eating places without discrimination based on color or national background.
We record the fact that the Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary is a non-segregated institution by action of the Board of Trustees of May, 1948; that Negro students are accepted on the same basis as white students and enjoy full and equal privileges in classroom, dormitory and dining room”
September 7, 1960 - The above statement on racial integration is passed with small modifications at a faculty retreat.