About Zebra magazine. (Athens, Ga.) 1996-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 1, 1993)
LOOKING BACK History Of Union and Jeruel Academy Every two years they come home again. They come back, those graduates and students of Union Institute, Union Baptist Institute and Jeruel Academy. They come back to pay tribute to the old private school with the three names that used to be located on Baxter Street just above where the University of Georgia’s Brumby Hall now stands. They come back to reminisce and to express their gratefulness for having been part of an institution well known for its high standards of educating African- American youth. It is a time to renew old friendships. It is a chance to find out whatever happened to that best friend, to that dormitory roommate or the special teacher who helped shape a destiny. This past July, they traveled from Detroit, from Gulfport, from Chicago and points all around the country. Mrs. Hattie Jackson was there. She is the oldest living student of the school, hav ing graduated in 1915 with the first class. Incredibly, she still has her sheepskin (diploma) and her Commencement dress. They were on display at the Reunion. Cordelia Allen was there. Hers was the last class to graduate from the old school before it was closed. Helen Joseph was there; she taught at the school while it was named Union Institute. In 1985, some 250 were in attendance at the first reunion planned by the Union Baptist Institute/Jeruel Academy Preser vation Foundation. Not quite that many came this year. The Foundation was established in 1984 by a group of local graduates who had not forgotten the ideals, the goals and the purposes set forth by the found ers of the school. Landrum Chapel (now Ebenezer Bap tist Church) became the birthplace of Jeruel Baptist Institute in 1881 with Reverend Collins Henry Lyons as prin cipal. A new building was constructed in 1886 on the corners of Pope and Baxter Streets. Dormitories were raised to house students. Such subjects as Greek, Latin, French and Printing were among those taught. Reverend J.H. Brown served as prin cipal from 1886 - 1922 when Professor Charles Henry Lyons, Sr. succeeded him. Professor Lyons served until Reverend J.H. Geer became the final principal in 1954. By that time the school’s name had changed to Union Baptist Institute and finally to Union Institute when the coun ty took it over in the early 1950s. It clos ed in the late 1950’s. The years passed and the thousands of students who attended this school scat tered far and near. But they did not forget the friendships forged. They did not forget the superb teachers who in sisted they not just show up at school, but that they excel. How could they forget the excellent educational back grounds that shaped them for whatever they wanted to do with their lives? They remember. And they come back to celebrate. Every two years, they come back. Anyone who attended or graduated from Union may join the Preservation Foundation by contacting Howard Stroud or Mrs. Connie Hill. You are in vited to help the legacy live on. Bettye Stroud Serving N.E. Georgia For Over 50 Years THANKS FROM DAVE GORDON AUTO SUPPLY 230 Hawthorne Ave. ■ Athens, Georgia Paul E. Griffith, Jr. 543-3661 Jeff Griffith ZEBRA VOL. 1 ISSUE 5 17
