(The following story by Adam Aasen appeared on The Times-Union website on March 15.)
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The history of Edward Waters College is full of struggles and successes.
Even early in its history, the school faced problems such as financial issues and the Great Fire of 1901.
Recently, the college has struggled with declining enrollment, low graduation rates and a battle to win back its accreditation.
But on Saturday, Edward Waters leaders took the inauguration of its 28th president as a chance to declare a new chapter in the school’s 142-year history.
They honored the college’s first female president Claudette Williams and — to make things even better — they celebrated a $1 million personal donation from CSX Corp. Chief Executive Michael Ward.
“It is a new beginning,” Williams said. “All we need is the city of Jacksonville to embrace our vision and work with us and we know we can succeed.”
The donation will be used to repair basic infrastructure such as elevators, roofing, plumbing and campus security. The Edward Waters marching band will also receive new uniforms, instrument repairs and student scholarships.
After sitting through two hours of speeches, some in the audience looked tired as the ceremony wrapped up. But when the $1 million donation was announced, the entire room leapt up and cheered as if they had just won the lottery.
Students turned to each other, smiled and said they knew people still cared about Edward Waters College.
For anyone who hasn’t been to a collegiate presidential inauguration, it’s a ceremony full of pomp and tradition. Faculty wear multi-colored robes and the president is presented with a huge gold medallion to signify the trust placed in her.
Williams started as president eight months ago, but it’s tradition to delay collegiate inaugurations.
Speakers included: U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown, City Councilman Warren Jones, former Sheriff Nat Glover, State Rep. Audrey Gibson, State Sen. Tony Hill, the presidents of Jacksonville and Bethune-Cookman universities and Johnnetta Betsch Cole, former president of Bennett and Spelman colleges.
All the speakers touted the importance of Edward Waters to Jacksonville.
Brown said she wants to earmark for funds for the college while Gibson said more needs to be done since “there are some here who know nothing about struggle and the importance of historically black institutions.”
Glover, an Edward Waters alum, said if it wasn’t for the school he would have been “in prison or dead.” He said he’s frustrated by local leaders who are reluctant to support the college through its tough times.
“I talk to a lot of people who say, ‘I’m going to wait before I support this school,” he said. “I could make a strong case that it’s waiting that’s contributing to our inability to move forward.”
In her address, Williams focused on the “Double-E principle” of ethics and excellence as her plan for the school’s success. She said it’s also a priority that everyone is unified around the same goals.
Williams told the Times-Union she will be asking donors for help with the school’s current financial obstacles.
Williams said she feels fortunate to receive the opportunity to lead Edward Waters, especially at this time in its history.
“It is about the future that beckons us at this new beginning,” she said. “Our founding fathers recognized that education was the key that opened the doors for freed slaves … Today we stand on the threshold of a new beginning that is built on the successes of our past.”