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Another Disgrace For AlabamaFor some reason, the story of the abrupt of Drake’s enforced leave of absence wasdismissal of Alabama AM President J. F. Drake has not reached the more southern regions of the state. In Huntsville, where AM is located, The Huntsville Times reported the situation more thoroughly than any of the papers circulated in Auburn:“The State Board of Education'lias decided to put Dr. J. F. Drake, ailing president of Alabama AM College at Huntsville, on a leave of absence until the time of his official retirement in July . . .“Drake, president of the Negro college for almost 35 years, first heard of plans to put him on a leave of absence over the radio at his home on the college campus . . .“Gov. John Patterson, ex-officio chairman of the board, attended the meeting and called for strengthening the AM administration in light of recent Negro sit-in demonstrations at Huntsville.“The governor praised Drake for the ‘wonderful’ job he had done as president through the years. He added, however, that it is urgent to get a college president ‘who will require discipline, make the students behave themselves and make them study’..“Dr. Drake came to AM College on July 1, 1927 when it was a normal school with only 27 college students . . . During his tenure, the institution grew into a four-year college by 1941 . . .“During his presidency at AM he turned down many offers from larger, richer colleges in other parts of the United States.“Frequently during his presidency, Drake was singled out for honors . . ..“There was an immediate reaction at Huntsville from many quarters when newsmade public ...The paper went on to quote several of Huntsville’s leading citizens who expressed their great admiration of Dr. Drake. Editorially, under the apt head “Utter Stupidity,” the Times said:“Gov. John Patterson and the State • Board of Education injured both the cause of education and Alabama’s good name by the ill-timed and heavy-handed announcement of a leave of absence for Dr. Joseph F. Drake.“In a long and distinguished career Dr. Drake has served this state exceedingly well . . .“He heard of the action not from the governor or the board, but from a news program. This was a poor reward for 35 years of devoted service to his state.“More than any other man, he is responsible for the growth and development of AM. He accomplished this development in the face of numerous handicaps and with the support of the entire community.“We believe no man in Huntsville is held in greater esteem than Dr. Joseph F. Drake. This needless affront to him has angered this community and it will not be forgotten.”This action is not only degrading to Alabama education, but also to race relations, academic freedom and human dignity. It was made even more reprehensible by the rather crude method used.How long will the people of this state continue to tolerate, and even demand such actions? We can’t know; we can only guess, and hope.metfoiselYoha,heha,ofateNe]Coonna!be.’m£gaicieerr]di{mimitiocidTOtertrccoiunbo]a : thi ne ;De forhPrroiAIzoiGcbe:thlt;meAIarlt;withlt;
Newspaper Details
Auburn Plainsman
Auburn, Alabama, US
Wed, Feb 21, 1962
Page 4
Full Page
Clipped by
Wylheme R.
NA, 24 Apr 2025
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