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• 1 media/Drfred-turner.jpg 2018-11-29T20:24:04-08:00 First African-American ROTC Instructor 12 Lt. Col. Frederick Turner Jr. was the first African-American instructor in military science plain 2018-12-10T17:49:46-08:00

  
  It was not until 1970 that Arkansas State University had its’ first African-American faculty and staff. Dr. Calvin Smith became the first African-American classroom instructor on campus in that year. Lt. Col. Frederick Turner Jr. became the first African-American instructor in military science. He was an ROTC instructor as well as, one of the first African-American graduates from A-State in 1960. In an article he wrote about his experience at A-State called “Not Then, Not Ever” he explains how he did not feel conflict when he went to his classes. Turner was proud that he did not undergo horrors because of his race. He especially felt touched at the manners of the staff. They were helpful when he needed it and never showed any discomfort towards him. [1] In his own words [2]: 

  I frequently tell the story of my experience in one of my freshman classes when the instructor asked the question, “What is the gross national product of the United States?” No one responded for an extended period.

  I couldn’t stand it any longer and shot my hand into the air. The instructor acknowledged my attempt to respond and I quickly said, “Wheat!” Of course, that was far from correct. This was a grand opportunity for my classmates to guffaw and ridicule me for such a dumb answer, and the instructor could have made me feel awful bad, but none of that happened.

  Not then, not ever.

  [1] “Historic Timeline.” n.d. Arkansas State University. Accessed December 9, 2018. https://www.astate.edu/info/about-asu/history/historic-timeline/.
  [2] Turner, Frederick C. n.d. “Not Then, Not Ever.” Arkansas State University. Accessed December 9, 2018. http://www.astate.edu/a/asunews/featured/not-then-not-ever.dot.