Lane College
Motto	Esse Non Videri
Established	1882
Type	Private
President	Dr. Wesley C. McClure
Faculty	46
Undergraduates	1766
Postgraduates	0
Location	Jackson, Tennessee, USA
Campus	Urban, 25 acres
Mascot	Dragons
Colors	Cardinal Red and Royal Blue
Website	[1]

Lane College is a four-year, accredited historically black college located in Jackson, Tennessee, just east of the downtown area. It is primarily a liberal arts institution associated with the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. Athletic teams nicknamed the "Dragons" are sponsored and compete in Division II of the NCAA.

Purpose

Lane College is a small, private, co-educational, church-related institution which provides a liberal arts curriculum leading to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences. The College accepts persons regardless of race, color, gender, religion, age, or national origin.

Founded in 1882 by Bishop Isaac Lane, a former slave, Lane College is proud to be one of the nation’s oldest Historically Black Colleges, and the first four-year institution established by the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. Consistent with its tradition of providing educational opportunities for those who may not otherwise have the opportunity to attend college, Lane College is committed to preparing students, through its liberal arts curriculum, to assume meaningful positions in their chosen occupations or professions and/or to pursue graduate studies. Consistent with its history and tradition, the College has a particular interest in preparing professional educators.

Lane College guides students through programs of intellectual experiences which enable them to identify and develop their “Power of Potential” to meet the demands of decision-making situations through thoughtful, rational, and creative thinking. Students are exhorted to continuously pursue their potential by becoming lifelong learners.

With strong ties to the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, the College’s mission is to develop the “whole student.” In addition to its priority of academic excellence, the College is also concerned about the student’s spiritual, social, and ethical development. The College believes that spiritual growth is an important part of the development of the individual. Spiritual life at the College is viewed as a quality-filled experience rather than a specific and narrow range of separate activities. Spiritual programs of learning, worship, and service have the purpose of illuminating life and making life more meaningful.

Students are encouraged and assisted in developing inner strengths and resources needed to follow through and complete tasks, to fulfill responsibilities, and to live by a workable system of values. The College seeks to help all students achieve self-discipline.

Lane College offers a balanced liberal education and seeks to continue adding to the variety of its curricular offerings in order to become even more innovative in organization and methodology and to continue to develop the mature, educated individuals needed in an ever-changing society. The College encourages students to:

(1)develop their communication skills and their use of the English language; (2)participate in campus, civic, and religious activities which broaden their concepts of social awareness; (3)make ethical judgments through counseling and advisement; and (4)improve their learning skills through the enrichment programs designed for those who have had limited opportunities.

Lane College is grounded in the belief that improvement is continuous and ongoing. Further, it believes in democratic participation in the American society in an intelligent manner designed to improve the society and its members’ opportunities. In a world of continuous change, the College endeavors to offer programs that develop the attitudes and understandings necessary for leadership and effective participation in a democratic society. The College helps its students become open-minded and tolerant individuals while developing sensitivity for and commitment to ways of improving the human condition.

History of the college

In 1882, Lane College, then the “C.M.E. High School,” was founded by the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church in America. Looking to the establishment of this enterprise as early as November 1878, Reverend J.K. Daniels presented a resolution to establish a school at the Tennessee Annual Conference held in the old Capers Chapel C.M.E. Church in Nashville, Tennessee, and presided over by Bishop William H. Miles, the first Bishop of the C.M.E. Church. The resolution was adopted amid much applause. The Conference at once appointed a committee to solicit means with which to purchase grounds and to inaugurate plans to carry forward the proposed work. Reverends C.H. Lee, J.H. Ridley, Sandy Rivers, and J.K. Daniels constituted this committee.

Owing to the great yellow fever epidemic of 1878, the committee was handicapped and did not accomplish very much. Meanwhile, Bishop Isaac Lane came to take charge of the Tennessee Conference as presiding Bishop. He met with the committee, gave advice, and helped to formulate plans for the founding of the school. On January 1, 1880, Lane purchased four acres in the eastern part of the City of Jackson for $240. Thus began a work that has been a powerful factor in the uplift of people throughout the south, the nation, and the world. The institution began its first session in November 1882, as the “C.M.E. High School,” with Miss Jennie E. Lane, daughter of the Founder, as the first teacher. In January 1883, Professor J.H. Harper of Jackson, Tennessee, took over the work and carried out the unexpired term of Miss Lane after her marriage to Mr. Nelson Caldwell Cleaves, a C.M.E. minister. The Reverend Charles Henry Phillips, later to be elected a Bishop in the C.M.E. Church, succeeded Reverend Harper in September 1883.

It was during the administration of Reverend Charles Henry Phillips that the school was chartered under the laws of the State of Tennessee, and its name changed to Lane Institute on June 22, 1884. This action was one of the first significant changes in the development of the School. The curriculum focused primarily on preparing “preachers and teachers.”

In May 1887, the first class graduated from Lane Institute under the Leadership of Professor T.J. Austin who served from 1886-1887. The names of the five-member graduating class were: N. Caldwell Cleaves, Isaiah C. Davis, Ida Lane Burrows, Marie E. Payne, and Edward E. Smith. Also in 1887, Reverend T.F. Saunders, a member of the Memphis, Tennessee Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, was appointed the first President of Lane Institute and made numerous contributions to the School. It was during this period that the need for a college department was discerned. The College Department was organized in 1896, and at that time, the Board of Trustees voted to change the name from Lane Institute to Lane College. The College Department broadened the curriculum by its organization into the classical, the natural and physical sciences, and mathematics.

In 1903, Reverend James Albert Bray, later to be elected a Bishop in the C.M.E. Church, was elected President. He held that position until 1907. During his tenure, the present Administration Building was erected. President Bray was succeeded by Dr. James Franklin Lane, the son of the Founder. Dr. Lane served with distinction for thirty-seven years. During his administration, the College improved its educational facilities and its physical plant. In addition, the College attracted the attention of several philanthropic agencies such as the General Education Board of the Rosenwald Foundation and the Board of Missions of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. These agencies and boards gave liberal contributions to the educational program of the College.

In 1936, Lane College was approved by the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools and given a “B” rating. Lane College was given an “A” rating by this Association in 1949. In December 1961, Lane College was admitted into full membership in the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. With the passing of President J.F. Lane on December 11, 1944, Reverend Peter Randolph Shy, who was later to be elected a Bishop of the C.M.E. Church, was elected as the Acting President until Dr. D.S. Yarbrough was elected President in 1945. Dr. Yarbrough served until 1948. He was succeeded by Professor James H. White. Professor Richard H. Sewell, Dean of Instruction, was elected the Acting President in 1950 and served until Reverend Chester Arthur Kirkendoll was elected President in July of the same year. Dr. Kirkendoll served with distinction for twenty years until his election as a Bishop of the C.M.E. Church in May 1970. During his tenure, the College became fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Smith Hall, Graves Hall (formerly known as Jubilee Hall), Hamlett Hall, and the Student Union Building were erected.

Dr. Herman Stone Jr., who served as the Dean of the College for ten years, was elected President in July 1970. He assumed office on September 1, 1970. During his presidency, Lane College’s accreditation was reaffirmed twice by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In addition, the J.F. Lane Health and Physical Education building was added to the facilities of the College. After serving for sixteen years as President, Dr. Stone retired in May of 1986. He was succeeded by Dr. Alex A. Chambers, who was elected President in May 1986, and took office on June 1, 1986.

The College’s accreditation was reaffirmed by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in 1991, under the leadership of Dr. Chambers. The College also received a grant from the United States Department of Interior as a part of the Historical Preservation Program to restore Cleaves Hall, Saunders Hall, the J.K. Daniels Building, and the Old President’s Home to their original appearance. These buildings, in addition to the Bray Administration Building and the Old Central Heating Plant, comprise the Lane College Historic District. This designation was given by the Department of the Interior in 1988. On March 18, 1992, after a short illness, Dr. Chambers passed away.

Dr. Arthur L. David, a 1960 graduate of Lane College who was serving as Dean of the College, was appointed Interim President by the Lane College Board of Trustees. Dr. David served from March 1992, until his successor, Dr. Wesley Cornelious McClure, was named on August 20, 1992. Dr. McClure, a 1964 alumnus, assumed the position of President on September 1, 1992.

Under Dr. McClure’s leadership, the College has experienced significant growth in enrollment, financial stability, an increase in faculty strength, an expanded curriculum, strengthened management, a significantly improved physical plant, and a student-centered campus climate, including heightened student morale. In addition, construction of the Academic Center, housing the Library/Learning Resource Center, an auditorium, several classrooms, seminar rooms, skills laboratories, and a telecommunications center was resumed in 1996 and completed in 1997. In February 1997, this $5.2 million building was named the Chambers-McClure Academic Center (CMAC).

In April 1996, the College purchased the former Budde & Weiss Manufacturing Company, a company that designed and made furniture. Budde Street, which is adjacent to the original properties, is named in its honor. Their successor in title was Tennessee Dimensions, Inc. This purchase of 6.7 acres, plus the June 1996 acquisition of the property at 536 Lane Avenue, formerly the home of Ms. Essie Mae Golden Perry, increased the size of the campus to approximately 25 acres.

An extensive campus beautification initiative was undertaken in 1998, which included: a New Football Practice Field; Recreational Center; The Archives, housing a Computer Student Center, Bookstore, Communications/ Copy Center, and Study Lounge/ Café; Spiritual Life Center; the Health Services Center; and remodeling of the Heating Plant.

In 1997, the College began renovation of the Bray Administration Building. This edifice, built in 1905, and known as the “Crown Jewel” of the campus, received a complete interior overhaul, costing $2.2 million. Funds for this project were acquired through the U.S. Department of Education as the result of a proposal written by Dr. McClure. The renovation was completed in July 2000. Under Dr. McClure’s leadership, the College’s accreditation was reaffirmed in 2002, with commendations for Library Resources and Information Technology.

Lane College, from its beginning, has served as a source of inspiration for the youth of the C.M.E. Church. Today it stands as a symbol of Christian education for youths of all faiths, creeds, colors, and nationalities.

Academic divisions and programs

Business and Social & Behavioral Science

Majors Business-Criminal Justice-History-Sociology

Minors Accounting-Business-Criminal Justice-Finance-Government-History Marketing and Sociology

Liberal Studies and Education

Majors English-French-Interdisciplinary Studies-Mass Communication-Music-Physical Education-Religion

Minors Art-English-French-Mass Communications-Music-Physical Education-Religion-Spanish

Natural and Physical Sciences

Majors Biology-Chemistry-Computer Science-Engineering*-Mathematics-Physics

Minors Biology-Chemistry- Computer Science-Mathematics-Physics

__ *Dual degree program with Tennessee State University

External links

• Lane College
• US News and World Report Rankings 2005

•  • [ e] Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Alabama A&M • Alabama State • Albany State • Alcorn State • Allen • Arkansas Baptist • Arkansas, Pine Bluff • Barber-Scotia • Benedict • Bennett • Bethune-Cookman • Bishop • Bluefield State • Bowie State • Central State • Cheyney • Claflin • Clark Atlanta • Concordia, Selma • Coppin State • Delaware State • Dillard • Edward Waters • Elizabeth City State • Fayetteville State • Florida Memorial • Fisk • Florida A&M • Fort Valley State • Grambling State • Hampton • Harris-Stowe • Howard • Huston-Tillotson • Interdenominational Theological Center • Jackson State • Jarvis Christian • Johnson C. Smith • Kentucky State • Knoxville • Lane • Langston • LeMoyne-Owen • Lincoln, Missouri • Lincoln, Pennsylvania • Livingstone • Maryland, Eastern Shore • Medgar Evers • Meharry Medical College • Miles • Mississippi Valley State • Morehouse • Morehouse School of Medicine • Morgan State • Morris Brown • Morris • Mount Hermon Female Seminary • Norfolk State • N.C. A&T • N.C. Central • Oakwood • Paine • Paul Quinn • Philander Smith • Prairie View A&M • Rust • Saint Paul's • Savannah State • Selma • Shaw • Simmons • South Carolina State • Southern • Southern (New Orleans) • Southern (Shreveport) • Southwestern Christian • Spelman • St. Augustine's • Stillman • Storer • Straight • Talladega • Tennessee State • Texas College • Texas Southern • Tougaloo • Tuskegee • UDC • UVI • Virginia State • Virginia Union • Virginia, Lynchburg • Voorhees • West Virginia State • Wilberforce • Wiley • Winston-Salem State • Xavier (Louisiana)

•  • [ e] Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Albany State • Benedict • Clark Atlanta • Fort Valley State • Kentucky State • Lane • LeMoyne–Owen† • Miles • Morehouse • Paine† • Stillman • Tuskegee † non-football member

•  • [ e] Tennessee Private Colleges and Universities

American Baptist College • Aquinas College • The Art Institute of Tennessee- Nashville • Baptist Memorial College of Health Sciences • Belmont University • Bethel College • Bryan College • Carson-Newman College • Christian Brothers University • Crichton College • Cumberland University • Fisk University • Free Will Baptist Bible College • Freed-Hardeman University • Hiwassee College • Johnson Bible College • King College • Knoxville College • Lambuth University • Lane College • Lee University • LeMoyne-Owen College • Lincoln Memorial University • Lipscomb University • Martin Methodist College • Maryville College • Meharry Medical College • Memphis College of Art • Memphis Theological Seminary • Milligan College • Nashville School of Law • O'More College of Design • Rhodes College • • Southern Adventist University • Tennessee Temple University • Tennessee Wesleyan College • Trevecca Nazarene University • Tusculum College • Union University • Vanderbilt University • Watkins College of Art and Design