Tillotson College
1 2017-07-11T14:47:38-07:00 Maureen Gray ab288c53aefb942d3e6102c32f4d6e3a10268d3b 19701 2 Administration Building at Tillotson College in Austin, TX plain 2017-07-11T14:59:31-07:00 Perry and Swain Maureen Gray ab288c53aefb942d3e6102c32f4d6e3a10268d3bThis page is referenced by:
-
1
2017-07-25T17:03:30-07:00
Early Years
6
plain
2017-07-27T10:42:02-07:00
James Dickey was always a conscientious student. He attended the 2nd District Negro School in Waco, graduating as valedictorian in 1912 from A. J. Moore High School. Most young people in the South did not attend college in the early 1900’s, not only because of the financial burden, but more importantly, it was deemed unnecessary since the primary economic activity was farming or domestic service. Higher education was an even more unusual occurrence when the student was black. so James became the first Dickey to attend college. He supported himself at Tillotson Normal and Collegiate School in Austin, Texas, by waiting tables and tending furnaces. His annual tuition at Tillotson was $42.
-
1
2017-07-27T10:46:34-07:00
Tillotson College
4
plain
2018-03-29T04:22:27-07:00
30.2969498 N, -97.6236638 W
When James Dickey graduated from Tillotson College in 1916 with a BA, he was trained to teach Industrial Arts much like graduates of Booker T. Washington’s Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. Most historically black colleges and universities not only taught academic subjects such as English and mathematics, but also stressed practical skills like home economics and construction. In fact, students frequently completed projects to benefit the school itself. Tillotson's graduating class of 1912 built Evans Hall and Dickey’s industrial arts class constructed Tillotson College’s administration building, now known as Alumni Hall. Self-sufficiency on a black college campus was not unique. In keeping with Booker T. Washington's philosophy at Tuskegee Institute, students were taught that hard work was to be admired and self-reliance would reap the benefits of a promising future. Tillotson’s student pledge included phrases such as “the promise of opportunity and hope” and “the preparation for service and leadership.” James Dickey and his classmates knew they had an obligation to assist their fellow man and took pride in all tasks, regardless of how menial the job might be. James Dickey never forgot the lessons gleaned from his alma mater. He gave funds when he could and served on Huston-Tillotson’s Board of Trustees from 1951 until his death.
