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Cheyney University of Pennsylvania

Former names	African Institute Institute for Colored Youth Cheyney State Normal School Cheyney Training School for Teachers Cheyney State Teachers College Cheyney State College
Motto	Today's Leaders, Tomorrow's Leaders
Type	Public historically black university
Established	1837; 188 years ago (1837)
Parent institution	Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education
Academic affiliations	Space-grant
Chancellor	Karen M. Whitney
President	Aaron A. Walton
Provost	Tara E. Kent
Undergraduates	627 (2020–21) 618 (2019–20)
Location	Cheyney , Pennsylvania , United States
Colors	Blue & white
Nickname	Wolves

Cheyney University of Pennsylvania is a public university in Cheyney, Pennsylvania. It is a special kind of school called a historically black university (HBCU).

Cheyney University started in 1837 as the Institute for Colored Youth. This makes it the oldest HBCU in the United States! It is part of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. The university offers special degrees called bachelor's degrees. It is also approved by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

History of Cheyney University

Cheyney University was built on land given by the Cheyney family. It began in February 1837 as the African Institute. Later that year, it was renamed the Institute of Colored Youth (ICY).

The African Institute was started by Richard Humphreys. He was a Quaker who cared deeply about education. Humphreys left $10,000 in his will to create a school. This school would teach people of African descent. It would also help them become teachers.

Melrose Cottage, built in 1805, is a historic building.

Richard Humphreys was born on an island called Tortola. He came to Philadelphia in 1764. Many Quakers were against slavery. Humphreys worried about free African Americans. It was hard for them to find jobs and get an education.

In 1829, there was a riot against free African Americans in Cincinnati, Ohio. This made Humphreys want to help even more. He decided to leave money for higher education for free Black people. He asked thirteen other Quakers to design a school. This school would teach "the descendants of the African Race." It would teach them school subjects, trades, and farming. The goal was to prepare them to be teachers.

Library at Cheyney University in 1909.

The school first focused on teaching trades and farming. These were important skills back then. In 1902, the institute moved to George Cheyney's farm. This farm was about 25 miles (40 km) west of Philadelphia. The name "Cheyney" became linked to the school in 1913.

The school's official name changed many times. In 1983, it became Cheyney University of Pennsylvania. It joined the State System of Higher Education.

Cheyney University has always helped many students from Philadelphia. Its graduates have strong connections in the city and state. The university faced challenges with funding. In 1980, a lawsuit was filed. It said the state had not given enough money to this historically Black university.

The lawsuit was settled in 1999. The state agreed to provide $35 million to Cheyney. This money was for new buildings and improving academics. At that time, the university's yearly budget was about $23 million. This extra funding was a big help for Cheyney.

In recent years, Cheyney University has worked hard to meet important standards. In 2015, it faced a review by the Middle States Commission. This group checks if universities are doing well. Cheyney worked to improve its financial situation. In 2019, the commission confirmed Cheyney's approval. This meant the university was meeting the standards. The commission continues to watch the university's financial health. In 2023, Cheyney was again placed on probation. The university is working to show it meets all standards.

University Leaders

Cheyney University has had many important leaders. Here are some of the people who have served as president:

Aaron A. Walton, 13th President (May 2017 – present)
Frank Pogue, 12th President (October 2014 – May 2017)
Phyllis Worthy Dawkins, Acting President (2014)
Michelle R. Howard-Vital, 11th President (2007–2014)
Wallace C. Arnold, 10th President (2004–2007)
W. Clinton Pettus, 9th President (1996–2004)
Donald Leopold Mullett, Interim President (1995–1996)
H. Douglas Covington, 8th President (1992–1995)
Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum (interim) 7th President (1991–1992)
LeVerne McCummings, 6th President (1985–1991)
Wade Wilson, President (1968–1981)
Leroy Banks Allen (1965–1968)
James Henry Duckery (1951–1965)
Leslie Pinckney Hill, founder and president of then Cheyney State Teachers College (1913–1951)

Early Principals

Before presidents, the school had principals. Here are some of them:

Hugh M. Browne, 4th principal (1902–1913)
Fanny Jackson Coppin, 3rd principal (1869–1902)
Ebenezer Bassett, 2nd principal (1857–1869)
Charles L. Reason, 1st principal of the Institute for Colored Youth (1852–1856)

Campus Buildings

Cheyney University's campus is located in two townships. These are Thornbury Township in Chester County and Thornbury Township in Delaware County.

The Historic Quadrangle

Many important buildings are on the university's historic quadrangle.

Burleigh Hall

Harry T. Burleigh Hall was built in 1928. It is named after Harry Burleigh, a famous African American composer. He helped write the Cheyney Alma Mater song. This building is on the eastern side of the Quadrangle.

Browne Hall

Hugh M. Browne Hall was built in 1938. It was first a home economics center. It is named for Hugh Mason Browne, a principal from 1903 to 1913. This building has also held administrative offices. Plans are to renovate it for high-achieving students.

Dudley Hall

Dudley Hall was built in 1931. It is named for Mildred B. Dudley, a music teacher. It was once a gym and then the music department. After being updated, it became a fine arts center. It now has a theater for student plays.

Carnegie Library

Andrew Carnegie Hall (1909) is on the quadrangle. It is named for Andrew Carnegie, a famous giver of money. He loved libraries and gave money to build many of them. Carnegie gave $10,000 for this library in 1909. It was used as a library, cafeteria, and gym. Today, it houses the business department.

Emlen Hall

Emlen Hall (1904) is named for Samuel Emlen. He was a Quaker board member who helped the school financially. It was first a dorm for women. Now, it is housing for honor students. Only these special students can live in this historic building.

Humphreys Hall

Richard Humphreys Hall (1903) was the first building built by the Quaker Board. It is named for Richard Humphreys, the founder of the university. This building has been used for classrooms, workshops, and dorms. After being updated, it now houses Humphrey's Scholars.

Biddle Hall

James G. Biddle Hall (1938) is an administration building. It is named for James G. Biddle, who served on the Cheyney Board. This building now holds offices for the President and other leaders. It also has an art gallery.

Other Important Buildings

Marian Anderson Music Center

The Marian Anderson Music Center (1970) is named for Marian Anderson. She was a world-famous singer from Philadelphia. She even performed at Cheyney. This building has classrooms, an auditorium, and practice rooms.

Marcus A. Foster Student Alumni Center

The Marcus A. Foster Student Alumni Center (1970) is named for Marcus Foster. He was a Cheyney graduate and a well-known educator. This center has student and administrative offices. It also has a bookstore, lounges, and an auditorium. It has a modern computer lab too.

Leslie Pinckney Hill Library

The Leslie Pinckney Hill Library (1974) is named for Leslie Pinckney Hill. He was the first president of Cheyney. This library is much bigger than the old Carnegie Library. It holds the university's historical records. It was updated in 2016.

Vaux Hall

Vaux Hall (1960) was built as an industrial arts center. It is named for George Vaux, Sr. and George Vaux, Jr. These Quakers helped raise money for the school. Vaux Hall taught skills like metalwork, drafting, and printing. Today, it is used for fine arts and information technology.

Wade Wilson Administration Center

The Wade Wilson Administration Center (1979) is named for Wade Wilson. He was a Cheyney graduate and the fourth president. He led the university from 1968 to 1981. This building holds many important administrative offices. These include the Provost's office and Financial Aid.

Athletics at Cheyney

Cheyney University has a famous basketball history. The men's basketball team is one of the best in NCAA Division II. They have won 16 conference championships. They also won a National Championship in 1978!

In 1982, the women's basketball team played in the first NCAA Division I championship game. This was amazing because Cheyney was a Division II school!

In 2009, Cheyney hired a brother and sister to coach basketball. Dominique Stephens coached the men's team. Marilyn Stephens coached the women's team.

The university faced some challenges with NCAA rules. Some student-athletes played when they were not supposed to. The athletics program was on probation until 2019. In 2018, the team left Division II. They played as an independent team because of financial reasons.

Student Life

All nine National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) organizations are at Cheyney University. These are historically Black Greek-letter fraternities and sororities. They are an important part of student life.

Famous Graduates

Many notable people have graduated from Cheyney University.