Nashville Christian Institute facts for kids
Nashville Christian Institute (NCI) was a special school in Nashville, Tennessee. It was a preparatory school, which means it helped students get ready for college. NCI was created for African-American students and was connected to the Churches of Christ.
Contents
About Nashville Christian Institute
How NCI Started
The Nashville Christian Institute opened its doors in 1940. It began as a night school, offering classes for adults. A rich man named A. M. Burton, who owned a big insurance company in Nashville, gave a lot of money to help start the school.
By 1942, NCI grew into a full-time school. It became a fully accredited elementary school and high school. Being accredited means the school met high standards for education.
Important Leaders at NCI
A very important person at NCI was Marshall Keeble. He was the school's president from 1942 to 1958. He helped lead the school for many years.
Why NCI Closed
Nashville Christian Institute stopped operating on June 2, 1967. This happened shortly after Lipscomb University, another school in Nashville also connected to the Churches of Christ, began allowing students of all races. This change was called racial integration.
NCI's Lasting Impact
Even after NCI closed, its legacy continued. In 2012, Lipscomb University held a special ceremony. They gave an honorary doctorate (a special award) to Fred Gray, who was a graduate of NCI.
During this event, L. Randolph Lowry III, the president of Lipscomb University, announced something important. He said that the financial arrangements made when NCI closed in 1967 weren't quite fair to NCI's supporters. So, Lipscomb University worked to make things right. This showed how much NCI and its students were valued.
