Isaac M. Burgan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Isaac M. Burgan
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Burgan in 1887
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| Born | October 6, 1848 |
| Died | after 1931 |
| Alma mater | State Normal School, Wilberforce University, Philander Smith College |
| Occupation | Minister, educator |
| Religion | African Methodist Episcopal Church |
Isaac M. Burgan was a remarkable person who was born into slavery in 1848. Despite the challenges he faced, he became a respected minister, teacher, and college president. His life story is an inspiring example of how determination can lead to great achievements.
Contents
Isaac M. Burgan's Early Life
Isaac M. Burgan was born on October 6, 1848, in McDowell County, North Carolina. His mother, Sylva Burgan, was also enslaved. Isaac lived in slavery until the end of the American Civil War in 1865.
Even though he was enslaved, Isaac was very smart and eager to learn. He first learned to read by looking at the homework of the white children on the farm. His owner recognized his intelligence and refused to sell him. Isaac later worked in Tennessee, where he started attending school in his free time while working on railroads.
A Path to Education
Isaac was determined to get a formal education.
- In December 1869, he moved to Bowling Green, Kentucky to attend school.
- The next summer, he worked in Livermore, Kentucky.
- In October 1870, he moved to Evansville, Indiana. There, he attended schools taught by Reverend James Matthew Townsend.
- In the fall of 1873, he enrolled at the State Normal School in Terre Haute, Indiana. He worked as a cook and housekeeper to pay for his studies.
- In 1874, he got a job as an assistant mail agent, which helped him pay for his education even more.
- He started teaching in Lost Creek in 1875 and soon graduated from the State Normal School.
Becoming a Minister
In 1877, Isaac began to preach in Lost Creek. He wanted to study more about ministry, so in September 1878, he enrolled at Wilberforce University. For his last two years there, he received a scholarship. While at Wilberforce, he also worked as a pastor in several towns in Ohio. He was an excellent student, graduating as the top student in his class (valedictorian) and serving as the editor-in-chief of the college newspaper.
Later in his life, he received more honorary degrees. He earned a Doctor of Divinity (D.D.) from Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Arkansas. He also received a Doctor of Laws (LL.D.) again from Wilberforce University.
Leading a College
On September 27, 1883, Isaac M. Burgan moved to Waco, Texas. He had been chosen to be the principal of Paul Quinn College.
- He served as president of Paul Quinn College from 1883 to 1891.
- He returned to be president again from 1911 to 1914.
During his first time as president, he worked very hard to make the college bigger and better. He helped build new buildings, even though he took very little salary for himself. In 1884, he became an elder in the West Texas Conference of the AME Church.
Even when he wasn't president, Burgan continued to work as a professor at Paul Quinn College into the 1920s. During this time, he was also the editor of the Paul Quinn Weekly. This newspaper was important for the African-American community in Waco.
In July 1931, Isaac M. Burgan was one of three former presidents of Paul Quinn College who celebrated the school's fiftieth anniversary.
Writings
- Sunday, the Original Sabbath, A.M.E. Book Concern (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), 1913
