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Minority education chronicled9r. Abelardo Baeza, Alpine native and Sul Ross State University Spanish professor, continues to chronicle minority education in Al-pine with La Escuela Escondida: History of the Morgan School in Alpine, a chapter in The Journal of Big Bend Studies.The chapter on the Morgan School details the education of Al-pine[ students of African-American descent.According to Baeza’s article, the Moi^an School whs built by Louis ;Bly, Neil Perryman, the Rev. John :White, Bill Gordon and Morgan Gordon, who owned the property and for whom the school was hamed.Lewis Gordon, youngest son of Morgan Gordon, provided a copy of the deed that showed that Morgan sold the lot in 1929 to the Black Methodist Episcopal Convention of Texas for $10. The site became the location for the building, which was used as a school during the week and as a place of worship on Sundays.Lewis Gordon, who still lives in Alpine and operates the Ponderosa Restaurant, was taught in the Morgan School by Ora Lee Bullock who now lives in San Antonio. Baeza’s article describes the difficult times and hardships African-Americans experienced prior to the Civil Rights Movement.The article also details the education of Christine Young, the first black student to serve as president of Alpine High School’s FHA chapter. She received her high school diploma in 1960 and applied for admission at Sul Ross. Her application was turned down because the university did not accept black students.A group of Alpine citizens joined forces to help Young gain admission to Sul Ross in 1963. She was allowed to register for both 1963 summer sessions after intervention by Dr. Delbert Dyke, Gene Hen-dryx, Dr. W.E. Lockhart, Pete Gal-lego and Charles E. Wade.Hendryx, long-time Alpine businessman and former state representative, is quoted in the article, I was impressed with Christine and her struggle to gain an education. She has come a long way from her days at the Morgan School. She is living proof of what a person can do when he or she really has the desire and will power.Young was admitted to Sul Ross the same year that eight African-American males registered for the fall term and were awarded full athletic scholarships.The first paper on Alpine minority schools appeared in the 1992 issue of the journal. La Escuela del Barrio: A History of the Alpine Centennial School, 1936-1939 detailed Hispanic education in the community.The Journal of Big Bend Studies is circulated by subscription to people who are members of the Center for Big Bend Studies Associations Program. Annual membership dues are $15. Memberships may be obtained by contact the center in Morelock Academic Building room 103 or by calling 817-8179.
Newspaper Details
Alpine Sul Ross Skyline
Alpine, Texas, US
Thu, Apr 28, 1994
Page 6
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
USA 26 Feb 2025
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