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Zebra magazine.
August 01, 1993
Image 17
Zebra magazine., August 01, 1993, Image 17
About Zebra magazine. (Athens, Ga.) 1996-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 1, 1993)
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Newspaper Page Text
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
