Atlanta Daily World

Significance of Negro College Fund Defined

GREENSBORO, N. C. The significance of the program of the United Negro College Fund and the aid it has given the capital improvement programs of 31 private southern colleges was clearly-defined recently at Bennett College when buildings and campus projects valued at more than $300,000 were dedicated.

A fine arts building, Faculty Court Homes, the Children's House - all erected through contributions from the national educational chest - were formally committed to the College's Board of Trustees during the dedication rites.

Mrs. Julius W. Cone, Chairman of the Buildings and Grounds Committee, accepted the keys to these buildings from a representative of the George W. Kane Construction Company. Referring to the College as her neighbor, she said: "Bennett College has learned a lot from being an ugly child; now she has grown into a lovely and gracious young woman."

More than a half million dollars has come to Bennett as its share of $25,000,000 raised by the Fund in its national campaigns during the past ten years.

Speaking to more than 450 students, the faculty, members of the Board of Trustees, and friends of the institution, W. J. Trent, Jr., Executive Director of the Fund, had this to say: "The United Negro College Fund has pioneered in educational chest fund-raising." However, he emphasized that praise for the success of the pioneering venture should go to American citizens in Greensboro and elsewhere who have believed in the fund and the 31 colleges which it supports.

He briefly referred to the recent decision of the Supreme Court on segregation in the schools and expressed surprise that some should think that the future of private liberal arts colleges like Bennett would be affected by the decision. He said "American education, in the process of growing up, will continue to have at Greensboro an outstanding institution for young women who seek what it has to offer."

Dr. William M. Hampton, member of the City Council, spoke brief words of appreciation to the Fund on behalf of the City of Greensboro. Dr. W. C. Jackson, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, spoke for its members. Mrs. Barbara J. Wells, Class of '31, expressed the appreciation of the parents; Miss Carmen Cora, member of the senior class said "thank you" for the students; and Dr. Hobart Jarrett, Chairman of the Humanities Division of the College, spoke for the faculty.

Dr. David Jones, President of the College, recognized the presence of out of town guests, among whom were Mrs. Richard Loengard, member of the United Negro College Fund Board of Directors, New York City; Dr. Arnaud Marts, also of New York City; Dr. and Mrs. W. J. Trent, Sr., of Livingstone College, Salisbury, N. C.; and Dr. Charlotte Hawkins Brown and Miss Wilhelmina Crosson of Palmer Institute, Sedalia, N. C.