CUNY College named for Medgar Evers

THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK

539 East 80 Street, New York, N.Y. 10021/Tel. 212 360-2124

Henry D. Paley, Director of University Relations

FOR RELEASE:
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1970, P.?

One of the newest colleges of the City University of New York, to open
next fall in central Brooklyn, has been named Medgar Evers Cellege in memory

of the courageous civil rights leader who was assassinated in Mississippi in

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The naming of the college came in an announcement made by the college's
Community Council which is composed of community leaders, elected represen-
tatives of the mid-Brooklyn area, and members of the Beard of Higher tducation,
trustees of CUNY. The six elected officials of the Council are Assemblyman
Bertram L. Raker, U.S. Representative Shirley Chisholm, Assemblyman Thomas R.
Fortune, State Senator Waidaba Stewart, City Councilman William C. Thompson,
and Assemblyman Samuel b. Wright.

Representing the community on the comnittee were:

John Enoch, acting chairman; Mrs. Clara Eh. Wade, acting secretary; Mrs. Beryl

Williams; Randall M. Coppin; Mrs. Lowise E. Bolling; Norman Johnson; the

Reverend Ernest J, Middleton; Mrs. Mes. Louise Clover; Harold

Jacobs; Cesar Quiz

es; the Reverend Sandy Ray; Miss Thais Wilson; Eidon A,
Neintyre,)dr: ee sorge Harvey; Herman D. Flowers; Wayne Belgrave.

Dr. Richard Trent, president of the new college, said, "1 am pleased that
we have taken another step toward making our college a reality. When Medgar
Evers College opens its doors, we pope to offer young people of New York City

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CUNY College named for Medgar Evers -2-

an opportunity to gain a relevant educational experience which should prepare
them to serve our community with the same intelligence, dedication and zeal

Medgar Evers displayed during his outstanding career. We welcome the
challenge to continue our work with the people of mid-Brooklyn and the City
of New York toward achieving these goals."

The creation of the experimental college was announced on February 2,
1968. It was conceived as a community-related professional and career-
oriented college. Both four-and two-year degrees will be offered, and areas
of specialization will include educational development as well as professional
and paraprofessional degree programs in commercial, technological and educational
fields.

Dr. Trent was appointed on March 3, 1970 after a two-year search conducted
by the City University in consultation with community groups and elected local
leaders. The 45-year old president was formerly director of the Brooklyn
College Educational Opportunity Program, a special college entry program for
high school graduates lacking full cea eredentials for normal college
admission.

John Enoch, acting chairman of the college's broadly-based Community
Council which named the new college said, "The Medgar Evers College, reflecting
fe image of the martyred young leader who dedicated his life to the cause of
individual freedom, dignity and personal fulfillment will add another pillar of
strength to the growing educational, economic, cultural and social foundations
of the central Brooklyn community and New York city.

Mrs. Medgar Evers, who now lives with her three children in Claremont,
California, is expected to attend the announcement ceremonies. "My husband

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CUNY College named for Medgar Evers -3-

would be deeply gratified," she said, "to know that his life played some part
in molding the plans and aspirations for this exciting new venture.

"The eatin of the college for Medgar Evers helps to confirm that my
husband's dedication to the cause of human equality had meaning to others
and will be carried on for generations to come."

A biographical sketch of Medgar Evers is attached.

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