HT Celebrates Charter Day, Re-Dedication Of King-Seabrook Chapel
Huston-Tillotson University celebrated 146 years of excellence during Charter Day ceremonies on Thursday.
Charter Day represents the official designated celebration of the Trustees’ signing of the State of Texas Charter of Incorporation that established Huston-Tillotson College (now known as Huston-Tillotson University). The 1952 merger of Samuel Huston College and Tillotson College created one of the largest black Protestant church-related colleges in the country at that time. The foundation of the institutions was established in 1875, ten years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, to educate recently emancipated slaves and now marks its 146th year of providing educational opportunities. The University is affiliated with both The United Methodist Church and the United Church of Christ and is a charter member of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF).
The day began with the ribbon-cutting ceremony and rededication of the King-Seabrook Chapel, which went through extensive renovations over the last four years. The King-Seabrook Chapel was named for two presidents of the merged Huston-Tillotson College – Dr. John Q. Taylor King, Sr. (1965-1988), and Dr. John Jarvis Seabrook (1955-1965) – in honor of their civic and professional accomplishments. The chapel-humanities complex was completed in 1974. The building includes a 300-plus seat auditorium and a stage adequate for dramatic and other productions. The King-Seabrook Chapel is home to the University’s 9-ft Steinway piano and the finest musical instruments for the band and choral performances.
Participating in the ribbon-cutting ceremony were Huston-Tillotson University President Dr. Colette Pierce Burnette, Dr. Charles Christopher (an HT graduate and husband of Marjon, daughter of Dr. John Q. Taylor King, Sr.), Stuart King (son of Dr. King, Sr.), University Trustee Tisha Christopher, Student Government Association President Derrick Jackson Jr., Miss HT Michela Walker and Mister HT Christian Broussard. Minnie Marianne Miles, a descendent of the Seabrook family, was unable to attend.
Paying tribute to the University’s religious affiliations were Dr. Vanessa Monroe, an HT Alum, trustee, and Pastor of Bethel United Methodist Church, and Dr. Robert Hayes, Jr., HT Alum and Retired Bishop in Residence at The Woodlands United Methodist Church.
Dr. King’s 23-year term as president of Huston-Tillotson College (now University) makes him the longest serving president. He earned five degrees during his lifetime and was named HT’s Chancellor and President Emeritus. He joined the Huston-Tillotson faculty as an Instructor of Mathematics and Business Administration immediately after earning his Bachelor of Science degree in 1947. He rose to the ranks of president after serving as Professor of Mathematics and Dean of the College.
During his tenure, he established endowed professorships, including the Marcet Alice Hines Endowed Professorship named in honor of his late wife who served as a member of the faculty for 18 years. He also facilitated new construction projects and campus renovations, increased faculty and staff compensation, and guided the institution to enrollment increases.
Dr. Seabrook was a pastor and president-emeritus of Huston-Tillotson College. He died May 1, 1975, while arguing before the Austin City Council on the naming of Austin’s MLK Jr. Boulevard (formerly “19th Street”). In East Austin, east of Interstate 35 (a region historically populated primarily by minorities, the street was to be named MLK Jr. Blvd, while west of I-35, it would remain 19th Street. Dr. Seabrook wanted a single name in both East and West Austin. While speaking to the council of the need to unite the city, Dr. Seabrook collapsed, suffering a fatal heart attack.
On May 15, 2010, the same council approved naming of the MLK Jr. Boulevard bridge over I-35 after Dr. Seabrook. A $55,000 scholarship at Huston-Tillotson University has also been set up in Dr. Seabrook’s name, $55,000 being the proposed cost of changing the road signs on the former 19th street to MLK Boulevard in 1975. This cost was one of the arguments at the time against changing the name of the road.
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