Hampton University: A Legacy of Education and Empowerment
Hampton University, a private historically Black research university located in Hampton, Virginia, stands as a testament to the enduring power of education and the resilience of the African American community. Founded in 1868, in the wake of the American Civil War, the institution has played a pivotal role in providing educational opportunities to freedmen and shaping generations of leaders. With a rich history, a commitment to academic excellence, and a focus on research and community engagement, Hampton University continues to be a beacon of hope and opportunity.
From Plantation to University: The Early Years
The story of Hampton University begins during the tumultuous years of the Civil War. As Union forces occupied Fortress Monroe in southeastern Virginia, it became a haven for fugitive slaves seeking freedom. General Benjamin F. Butler, the Union commander, declared them "contraband of war," preventing their return to slaveholders. This influx of formerly enslaved people led to the establishment of the Grand Contraband Camp nearby.
Amidst this backdrop of war and emancipation, Mary S. Peake, a dedicated educator, began teaching freedmen under the landmark Emancipation Oak in Elizabeth City County in 1861. Her efforts laid the foundation for what would become Hampton University.
Following the war, the American Missionary Association (AMA), an organization of Black and White leaders representing Congregational and Presbyterian churches, formalized a normal school (teacher training school) in 1868. Former Union brevet Brigadier General Samuel C. Armstrong was appointed as its first principal. The school was established on the grounds of a former plantation named "Little Scotland," overlooking Hampton Roads.
A Model of Education: The Hampton Style
Under the leadership of Samuel Chapman Armstrong, Hampton Institute developed a unique educational philosophy that combined cultural uplift with moral and manual training. Armstrong, the son of missionaries in Hawaii, drew inspiration from his father's work in educating the Polynesians. He envisioned a school that would equip Black Americans with the skills necessary to become self-supporting in the impoverished South.
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The "Hampton-style education" emphasized practical skills, vocational training, and character development. Students were taught trades such as carpentry, farming, and domestic service, alongside academic subjects. This approach aimed to prepare graduates for both economic independence and responsible citizenship.
Financial Support and Early Growth
Like many historically Black colleges, Hampton University relied on the generosity of the American Missionary Association, church groups, and former Union Army officers and soldiers for financial support in its early years. General William Jackson Palmer, a Union cavalry commander from Philadelphia, was among the many Civil War veterans who made substantial contributions to the school.
Within its first decade, Hampton reported a total admission of 927 students, with 277 graduates. The majority of these graduates became teachers, and many purchased land and established themselves in homes. By the late 1880s, the school had produced over 600 graduates, with three-fourths of them working as teachers.
Booker T. Washington: A Transformative Figure
One of Hampton's most influential alumni was Booker T. Washington, who arrived at the school in 1872 at the age of 16. Washington worked his way through Hampton, later becoming a teacher there after attending Wayland Seminary in Washington, D.C.
Inspired by Armstrong's philosophy, Washington went on to found Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. He built Tuskegee into a renowned institution and became a national figure as an educator, orator, and fundraiser. Washington collaborated with philanthropist Julius Rosenwald to create a model for rural Black schools, leading to the construction of over 5,000 schools for Black children in the South.
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Serving Native American Students
In 1878, Hampton established a formal education program for Native Americans. The program initially accommodated men who had been held as prisoners of war. The United States Army sent seventy-two warriors from the Cheyenne, Kiowa, Comanche, and Caddo Nations to imprisonment and exile in St. Augustine, Florida, in 1875 at the end of the American Indian Wars.
At the end of the warriors' incarceration, seventeen of the younger men enrolled at Hampton Institute for additional education. Overall, seventy Native Americans, young men and women from various tribes, joined that first class. However, due to growing controversy over racial mingling and discriminatory practices, the Native American program ended in 1923.
Evolving into a University
Over the years, Hampton Institute continued to evolve and expand its academic offerings. In 1930, the institution's name was simplified to Hampton Institute. The George P. Phenix School for all age groups opened in 1931, along with a new nurses' training school.
In 1945, Viktor Lowenfeld, an Austrian-American psychologist and art educator, joined the Hampton faculty, eventually becoming chair of the Art Department. In 1951, Benjamin Leroy Wigfall, a 20-year-old student, became the youngest person to have a painting purchased by the Virginia Museum of the Fine Arts.
With the addition of new departments and graduate programs, Hampton Institute achieved university status in 1984, becoming Hampton University.
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A Comprehensive Academic Institution
Today, Hampton University offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various disciplines. The Undergraduate College comprises schools of business, liberal arts and education, engineering and technology, nursing, pharmacy, science, and journalism and communications. The Graduate College offers master’s degree programs in business, nursing, education, and science, as well as doctoral programs in physics, pharmacy, and physical therapy.
With a total enrollment of approximately 5,700 students, Hampton University maintains a diverse student body. In 2023, nearly two-thirds of Hampton students were women and the other third men. Approximately 97% of them identified as Black and 20% were Virginia residents. Furthermore, 68% of students received need-based financial aid.
Research and Innovation
Hampton University is home to 16 research centers, including the Hampton University Proton Therapy Institute, the largest free-standing facility of its kind in the world. The university is actively involved in research across various fields, including science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
In recent years, Hampton University has faced challenges related to funding and accreditation. In 1920, the university was stripped of its land grant status, cutting it off from potential federal funding for research. More recently, in 2020, the School of Pharmacy lost accreditation due to failure of compliance to standards.
Commitment to Athletics and Extracurricular Activities
Hampton University's sports teams, known as the Pirates, compete in NCAA Division I (FCS for football) in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA). The university joined the CAA in 2022 after leaving the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and the Big South Conference.
In 2016, Hampton became the first and only HBCU to field a Division I men's lacrosse team. The university's basketball team achieved a historic victory in 2001, when they upset Iowa State in the NCAA tournament. The "Lady Pirates" basketball team has also made numerous appearances in the NCAA tournament.
Pirate athletics are supported by various groups, including "The Marching Force" Marching Band, which has performed at notable events such as a Barack Obama Presidential Inauguration parade.
Notable Alumni
Hampton University has produced a long list of distinguished alumni who have made significant contributions in various fields. These include:
- Booker T. Washington: Educator, author, orator, and founder of Tuskegee Institute.
- Robert S. Abbott: Founder of the Chicago Defender newspaper.
- John H. Johnson: Founder of Ebony and Jet magazines.
- Ruth E. Carter: Costume designer for the film Black Panther.
- Mary W. Jackson: NASA mathematician and engineer.
- Katherine G. Johnson: NASA mathematician.
- Alberta Williams King: Mother of Martin Luther King Jr.
Leadership and Legacy
Hampton University has been led by a series of dedicated presidents who have shaped the institution's growth and development. William R. Harvey served as the 12th president of Hampton University for 43 years, becoming the longest-serving president in the university's history and one of the longest-serving college presidents in the nation. He retired in June 2022 and was succeeded by Darrell K. Williams.
In July 2020, philanthropist MacKenzie Scott donated $30 million to Hampton University, the largest single gift in the university's history. This donation will provide significant resources to support the university's mission and programs.
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