KSU CELEBRATES 130 YEARS

KSU CELEBRATES 130 YEARS

Posted on May 18, 2016

In little Frankfort stands Mighty K.S.U.

With a will to fight, a will to win no matter what our foes may do. Rah! Rah! Rah!

Stand up and give a cheer for a Thorobred victory.

We still do our best when we’re asked to stand the test and We’ll win victoriously!

Go Thorobreds Go! Fight Thorobreds Fight!

KSU FIGHT SONG

 

KSU CELEBRATES 130 YEARS

Frankfort – Happy Birthday Kentucky State University.

From its modest beginnings as a small normal school for the training of black teachers for the black schools, KSU evolved into a land-grant and liberal arts institution that prepares a diverse student population to compete with peers across the globe.

The kickoff for this year’s celebration of 130 years is the unveiling of a commissioned painting by award-winning artist, author and illustrator Synthia SAINT JAMES at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 18 in the Student Center Ballroom on the KSU campus. The artist’s exclusive prints will be available for purchase at the unveiling.

“This is a proud moment in our history,” said KSU President Raymond M. Burse. “We are in the midst of an amazing transformation that we hope will prepare us for another 130 years of service to our great state. As we press forward, we will continue to build on the legacy and traditions that so many of our alumni around the country hold near to their hearts.”

Throughout its existence as a historically black college, KSU students, faculty and staff have maintained an unwavering commitment to student success, excellence and social responsibility. Those values are exemplified by notable alumni including:

    • Henry E. Cheaney, Ph.D., ‘36, Educator and nationally-recognized expert on the history of African Americans in Kentucky.
    • H.C. Russell, Jr., ’39, Ensign in Coast Guard during WWII; became the third African American commissioned officer in the Coast Guard; later became Pepsi Cola’s vice president of corporate planning.
    • Anna Mac Clarke,  ’41, a member of Women’s Army Corps during WWII; 1st African American officer of an all-white company
    • Whitney M. Young, Jr., ’41, Civil rights, Executive Director of the National Urban League from 1961-1971
    • Harrison Wilson, Ph.D.,’50, President of Norfolk State University
    • Gerald A. Neal, ’67, Kentucky State Senator
    • Travis Grant,  ’72,College basketball star on Kentucky State University’s 1970, 1971 and 1972 NAIA National Championship teams; went on to play for the Los Angeles Lakers. He is most known for being the all-time leading scorer in men’s NCAA college basketball history while at Kentucky State University by amassing 4,045 points.
    • Tom Colbert, ’73, First African-American Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice
    • William May, ‘86, Mayor of Frankfort, Ky.
    • Yingluck Shinawatra,’91, Prime Minister of Thailand (2011–2013)

We look forward to welcoming Alumni and supporters throughout the year as we continue to celebrate our 130th Anniversary.