Tuesday, March 02, 2010
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Posted by: Lauren Mangnall
Penn State's first black graduate was a member of Alpha Zeta.
A
member of the Penn State Class of 1905, Calvin Waller is believed to be
Penn State’s first black graduate, although there are no official
school records from that time to indicate students’ racial identity.
A
native of Macon, Ga., Waller earned his Bachelor of Science degree in
agriculture.
His arrival on campus in 1899 does not seem to have
provoked any disturbances. Rather, he distinguished himself as associate
editor of Penn State’s 1904 La Vie yearbook, a member of Alpha Zeta
agricultural fraternity, the natural history club, association of
athletics marshal for the football team and quarterback for the
intramural football team, the Tumblers.
He also was an
accomplished vocalist who served as president of the Glee Club and a
member of the Cecelian Quartette.
His professional accomplishments
include: head of the agricultural department at Prairie State
University in Texas (now known as Prairie View A&M University),
faculty member at Haynes Institute in Augusta, Ga., and Texas State
Leader of Negro Extension work.
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