Stillman College: a tradition and trajectory of transformation

Among Stillman’s graduates is the grandfather of a former secretary of state

by the Rev. Dr. Joseph Scrivner | Special to Presbyterian News Service

Dr. Condoleezza Rice

Former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice tells the story of her grandfather, John Wesley Rice, in the second decade of the 20^th century, coming from rural Greene County, Alabama, to an educational institution in the former state capital, Tuscaloosa. This school began as the Tuscaloosa Institute, established by the Presbyterian Church in 1876 for the training of African American clergy, under the direction of its founder, the Rev. Dr. Charles A. Stillman, pastor of Tuscaloosa’s First Presbyterian Church. In 1895, it was renamed the Stillman Institute, offering a general education in addition to a ministerial curriculum. By the time John Wesley Rice arrived about two decades later, he had very limited resources and was unsure of his educational focus. In fact, he paid for his first year with cotton. Then he learned that he could receive a scholarship for becoming a Presbyterian minister.

John Wesley Rice took advantage of that opportunity, earned his degree, and became a Presbyterian minister. About two decades later, in 1944, he initiated the founding of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Birmingham. His son, John Wesley Rice, Jr., followed him into ministry, and became the pastor of Westminster after Rev. Rice, Sr. passed away in 1954. In 1966, Rev. Rice, Jr. returned to Tuscaloosa to serve as the Dean of Students at his father’s alma mater, which became Stillman College in 1948. Rev. Rice, Jr. eventually departed for a position at the University of Denver, where his daughter earned a bachelor’s degree and a Ph.D. Of course, she would become the first black woman to serve as national security advisor and as secretary of state.

When people hear this story, they often understandably focus on Dr. Condoleezza Rice’s historic firsts. Yet, this story also illustrates the role Stillman College has played in transforming the lives of students from meager means, helping them find new opportunities for themselves, their children, and their grandchildren. In addition, they attain positions from which they can advocate for others. The Rev. John Wesley Rice, Sr. is one important example. Many other notable illustrations abound. In fact, before Rev. Rice, Sr. arrived on campus, another famous alumnus found education and inspiration on the campus of Stillman, the Rev. William Henry Sheppard. Sheppard traveled to Congo in central Africa with his wife, Lucy Gantt Sheppard, and fellow minister the Rev. Samuel Lapsley. When Rev. Sheppard arrived in Congo, he witnessed colonial atrocities, which he loudly denounced. He is now rightly celebrated as a trailblazing, prophetic voice. The College’s library is named in his honor. Likewise, the Presbytery in central Alabama bears the title Sheppards and Lapsley, to remember Rev. Sheppard, Mrs. Sheppard and Rev. Lapsley.

Rev. Sheppard and Rev. Rice are early 20^th century examples of transformation at Stillman. They were followed by impressive alumni after World War II, as the institute became a full four-year college. For instance, Professor Trudier Harris earned her bachelor’s at the college, on her way to becoming one the nation’s most respected scholars of African American literature. Similarly, Haywood Strickland matriculated at Stillman College before moving into higher education administration, culminating in the presidency of Wiley College, which was made famous by the movie, “The Great Debaters.” James Anderson is another example of a student from a rural, low-income background who earned his degree at Stillman College, which inspired him to pursue graduate work in history. In fact, he produced one of the most highly regarded accounts of education for African Americans in the South. Likewise, Devarieste Curry took her Stillman education to Georgetown Law School and became a well-respected attorney in Washington, D.C.

The Rev. Gregory Bentley

These impressive alumni paved the way for more recent graduates, some of whom followed well-worn paths, while others have branched out into a variety of fields. These include ministers and professors, such as the Rev. Gregory Bentley, a Presbyterian pastor in Huntsville, Alabama, who served as Co-Moderator for the 224^th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the Rev. Dr. Tyshawn Gardner, a Baptist minister and scholar on the faculty at Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University, and Dr. Anthony Heaven, a professor of philanthropy and justice at the University of Indiana. There are also alumni who continue to lead in the field of law, such as Shalyn Watkins in Los Angeles; others lead in corporations, such as Joe Hampton, president of Spire Alabama; some serve in health care, whether it be a physician, like Dr. Keisha Lowther, or as identical twin dentists, like Belinda and Melinda Rhodes; while still others are advocates for state-level legislative reform, such as LaTrell Clifford Wood at Alabama Arise; and a few have also become star athletes, like Jeff Henderson, an Olympic gold medalist in track and field, and Junior Galette, a former player in the National Football League.

The illustrative success of these alumni testifies to Stillman College as an educational institution that is “Deeply Rooted, Future Driven,” as it continues its best traditions, while also moving into new opportunities. It maintains its roots as a Presbyterian institution, requiring every student to take four courses in religion and theology and holding regular Chapel services at the church adjacent to the campus, Brown Memorial Presbyterian Church. It has recently deepened its commitment to its Christian mission by winning a million-dollar grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. for a thriving congregations project. In addition, it has expanded its reach for students with partnerships with junior colleges, near and far, while it has also created a dual enrollment program for high school students. In addition, it is now on the forefront of institutional internet protections with a unique cyber security clinic.

Dr. Yolanda W. Page

Dr. Yolanda W. Page, Stillman’s 8^th president, began her tenure in July 2023. A native of Louisiana, she is a person of deep Christian faith and a rigorous work ethic. In fact, her Christian kindness even extends to the bitter rivalry between LSU, her doctoral alma mater, and that other educational institution in Tuscaloosa, the University of Alabama. Obviously, this kind of charity confirms that the college is in capable hands under President Page, as she leads with a focus on “Relationships, Reputation, and Resources.”

Stillman College persistently pursues the transformation of its students through the development of their hearts, souls, and minds. It endeavors to inspire them by instilling in them that they are fearfully and wonderfully made by God, and that neither an original lack of resources nor societal prejudices necessarily limit what God can do in them and through them. They can do all things through Christ who strengthens them. Yet, they also know that education is not only about individual accomplishments. Indeed, many of them employ their experiences at Stillman as a point of departure in advocating for others, as Jesus calls all of us to do.

In this institutional mission, the college’s leaders are grateful for the support of so many in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). We pray it will continue and increase, through service, advocacy, and giving, either directly to the college or through the denomination’s Christmas Joy Offering. May God bless this tradition and trajectory of transformation.

The Rev. Dr. Joseph Scrivner is Dean of Chapel at Stillman College and the pastor of Brown Memorial Presbyterian Church in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.