By Any Other Name

BY ANY OTHER NAME

Most are aware of two name changes for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, but few know the AM&N era went by another moniker

by Henri L. Linton, Sr.

As University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff alumni, former students, faculty, staff and friends gather for another homecoming celebration to visit their dear Alma Mater, some may remember her by various other names. Through its long and illustrious history, the university has meant many things to many people at different times. Since its founding in 1873 as Branch Normal College, UAPB has had three name changes and the school’s campus has been relocated on two different occasions.

More recently, during the Arkansas Agricultural, Mechanical and Normal College (AM&N) era, 1929-1972, the college was affectionately referred to as “Arkansas State College,” by almost everyone associated with her, although this was not a given name. The primary reason for everyone referring to the school as “A State,” during this period may be attributed to a legend (plaque) that had been placed in the entrance to Caldwell Hall (then the administration building) in 1929. The plaque designated the college as the “Arkansas State College for Negroes.” Interestingly, the writer hasn't found any documented evidence that the name of the institution was ever officially changed to Arkansas State College for Negroes as it appears on the building dedication plaque.

Other reasons given for the popularity of this name may include the singing of the college hymn, which begins with “State College,” and the college’s athletic teams playing under the banner of “Arkansas State Lions,” from 1929 to the late 1960s. The homecoming queen (now Miss UAPB) was titled “Miss A State,” as late as 1972. When a young man was asked where he was in school, it was much easier for him to say “A State,” than the much longer,polysyllabic Arkansas Agricultural, Mechanical, and Normal College. The usage of “A State,” was discontinued with the changing of the college name to UAPB and another state college using the name, Arkansas State.

Chartered as Branch Normal College of the Arkansas Industrial University by the legislative Act of April 25, 1873, the school opened on September 27, 1875 at Lindsey and Sevier streets, now Second and Oak, near downtown Pine Bluff. For more than forty five years, Branch Normal served to educate students from elementary and grammar school to

college, since there weren't any public school systems during this time period for African Americans in Arkansas. In 1882, under the leadership of Joseph Corbin, the school moved to Cedar Street (now University Drive), and Second Avenue, just two miles south of the University’s present location. During this period (1882-1897), twelve bachelor degrees were awarded; no other baccalaureate degrees were awarded until 1930. Students desiring a career in teaching would receive the License to Teach degree. The college was designated as a land-grant college in 1890, however, it was not until 1921 that the name of the institution was changed from Branch Normal College of Arkansas Industrial University, to Arkansas Agricultural, Mechanical and Normal School by Act 568 of the state legislature. The school remained under the control of the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees and continued to serve all grades and one year of college level courses that led to a license to teach, since a four-year bachelor’s degree as not required.

In the 1925-26 school year during the administration of Robert Malone, the college was given junior college status (two years of college level courses).

A year later in 1927, the school was separated from the University of Arkansas, and given its own Board of Trustees and the name was changed to Arkansas Agricultural, Mechanical and Normal College. In 1928, during the administration of President John Brown Watson, the college was elevated to the level of a four-year multi-purpose college. On December 15, 1929, Watson and his students moved to its present location. The elementary and high school programs were separated from the college and would serve only as training for the teacher education program.

In the eighty-nine years since moving to its current location on North University Drive, the institution has experienced tremendous growth in its enrollment, physical facilities and educational programs. UAPB is now truly a multi-purpose University, offering competitive degree programs and out-of-class experiences. Although it was known by a different name in the 1920s, UAPB is now known as the Pride.

Vintage homecoming booklets reflect the popular moniker of Arkansas State for Arkansas Agricultural, Mechanical, and Normal (AM&N) College. The institution became the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff in 1972 when it merged with the University of Arkansas System.

Photos courtesy of the University Museum and Cultural Center