The National Park Service Approves Joseph Carter Corbin Gravesite a National Historic Site

The National Parks Service approves Joseph Carter Corbin Gravesite a National Historic Site Thanks to the work of Dr. Gladys Turner-Finney for locating the gravesite, writing a biography and, once again, bringing the legacy of the late Joseph Carter Corbin to the forefront of our minds. The National Parks Service approved the Dr. Joseph Carter Corbin gravesite a National Historic Site on April 17, 2023. This May 1, 2024 the historic Plaque will be unveiled at Forest Home Cemetery just outside of Chicago, Illinois. All are welcomed. Dr. Turner-Finney was able to obtain this exceptional honor, not usually given to gravesites, because of the fury of activity around her research and the promotion of famous individuals and groups found in the Forest Home Cemetery by the Forest Park Historical Society. Joseph Carter Corbin, born in Chillicothe, Ohio, was elected the first African--American Superintendent of Instruction in the State of Arkansas during reconstruction. He is the father of higher education for African-Americans in Arkansas. He is the founder and first president of Pine Bluff Branch Normal College for the formerly enslaved (now known as the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff). During this Black History Month, let us celebrate the legacy and memory of Professor Joseph Carter Corbin. His dedication to educating ALL students in Arkansas and laying the foundation for higher education that has made an ever-expanding positive impact on that state and this nation!

The National Park Service Approves Joseph Carter Corbin Gravesite a National Monument

The National Parks Service approves Joseph Carter Corbin Gravesite a National Monument Thanks to the work of Dr. Gladys Turner-Finney for locating the gravesite, writing a biography and, once again, bringing the legacy of the late Joseph Carter Corbin to the forefront of our minds. The National Parks Service approved the Joseph Carter Corbin gravesite a National Historic Site on April 17, 2023. This May 1, 2024 the historic Plaque will be unveiled at Forest Home Cemetery just outside of Chicago, Illinois. All are welcomed. Dr. Turner-Finney was able to obtain this exceptional honor, not usually given to gravesites, because of the fury of activity around her research and the promotion of famous individuals and groups found in the Forest Home Cemetery by the Forest Park Historical Society. Joseph Carter Corbin, born in Chillicothe, Ohio, was elected the first African--American Superintendent of Instruction in the State of Arkansas during reconstruction. He is the father of higher education for African-Americans in Arkansas. He is the founder and first president of Pine Bluff Branch Normal College for the formerly enslaved (now known as the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff). During this Black History Month, let us celebrate the legacy and memory of Professor Joseph Carter Corbin. His dedication to educating ALL students in Arkansas and laying the foundation for higher education that has made an ever-expanding positive impact on that state and this nation!

A Street Named for Joseph Carter Corbin: Founder of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff By Dr. Gladys Turner Finney

Second Avenue in Pine Bluff was renamed Joseph C. Corbin by a Resolution by the City Council as part of Professor Joseph Carter Corbin Day celebrating the sesquicentennial founding of UAPB. At the Unveiling Ceremony, September 26, 2023 (1:00 P.M.), at the original site of the college, Second Avenue and Oak Street, the speakers were Dr. Gladys Turner Finney, Caleb Williams, representative of UAPB Student Government, and Senator Stephanie Flowers. Professor Joseph Carter Corbin opened Branch Normal College, the predecessor of UAPB on September 27, 1875 in a rented house at present day Second and Oak Street with seven students, age 9 to 15, none of whom could read beyond the third grade reader. Throughout his twenty-seven year tenure at the college, he maintained a preparatory school along with the collegiate. Professor Corbin changed the course of history in education in Arkansas for African-Americans. He produced the first African-Americans with Bachelor of Arts degrees in the state. He was a leader at both the collegiate and secondary level. He magnified Pine Bluff as a center of learning for African-Americans.

AAGGMV NEWSLETTER ARTICLES BY GLADYS TURNER FINNEY

Professor Joseph Carter Corbin’s Story Continues 150 Years in the Making

From Ohio Conductor on the Underground Railroad to Arkansas Reconstruction Era Superintendent of Public Instruction and founder of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and NOW Illinois Grave Site at Forest Home Cemetery, Forest Park, DESIGNATED as National Historic Place, April 17, 2023 by the U.S. National Park Service. Dr. Gladys Turner Finney was the Nominator. See on-line Weekly List2023.04.21-National Register of Historic Places (U.S National Park Service). For the Professor Joseph Carter Corbin Day Sesquicentennial Event, September 27, 2023 please make a donation to the Professor Joseph Carter Corbin Memorial Scholarship for math and science majors at UAPB- Give on-line, at www.uapb.edu/give (go to Other and write in name). Or mail to: UAPB Foundation Fund University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff 1200 North University Drive #4985 Pine Bluff, Arkansas 71601.

PROFFESOR JOSEPH CARTER CORBIN DAY SESQUICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

DATE: September 27, 2023 PLACE: Pine Bluff, Arkansas Purpose: To commemorate Professor Joseph Carter Corbin, founder of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and Father of Higher Education for African Americans in Arkansas. Community Celebration: Free and open to the public, beginning with a Proclamation and Tribute Ceremony with city and state officials at the original site of the college, 2nd Avenue & Oak Street. Plans include exhibits, speakers, newly released documentary on Professor Corbin.There will be a reception with panelists reflecting on Dr. Corbin's contributions to education in Arkansas. ALL ARE WELCOMED. Joseph Carter Corbin (1833-1911) American Educator of African American heritage, Journalist, Mathematician, Scholar, Linguist, Musician. He was born free in Ohio to formerly enslaved parents, William and Susan Corbin, from Virginia. He became one of the most educated men of his day, eaming an A.B. degree and two master degrees from Ohio University at Athens. During Reconstruction following the Civil War, Professor Corbin migrated to Arkansas and in 1872 was elected Arkansas Superintendent of Public Instruction. Recognizing the need for teachers for the 115,000 "freedmen," he help lay the foundation for a public teacher's college for "the poorer class" that would become Branch Normal College of the Arkansas industrial University, now the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. Branch Normal College, chartered in 1873, is the predecessor of A.M.&N. College, and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Professor Corbin opened Branch Normal College on September 27, 1875 with seven elementary students. During his 27 years tenure as founder and president, he produced the first African Americans in Arkansas with Artium Baccalaureus (AB.) degrees. The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is the second oldest public institution of higher education in the state. It is an 1890 Land Grant HBCU and serves a diverse student population. It contributes greatly to the economy of Pine Bluff. To help establish and endow a memorial scholarship to honor Professor Corbin, you may give On -line Giving: Uapb.taforms.net/ or mail UAPB Office of Development: 1200 N University Drive #4981, Pine Bluff, AR 71601.

Dr. Gladys Turner Finney And Donors Create the Professor Joseph Carter Corbin Memorial Endowed Scholarship at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB)

The Professor Joseph Carter Corbin Memorial Scholarship recognizes Professor Corbin for his extraordinary achievements in Education, the founder of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, and the creator of the first Artium Baccalaureus (AB) degrees for African-Americans in Arkansas. Professor Corbin was an Educator, Journalist, Mathematician, Scholar, Linguist, and Musician. He held AB and two masters’ degrees from Ohio University at Athens. The scholarship will support students in mathematics and the sciences. Ways to Give 1. Give by check payable to UAPB Foundation Fund In memo write: Professor Joseph Carter Corbin Memorial Scholarship Mail to: UAPB Office of Development, 1200 North University Drive Mail Slot 4981, Pine Bluff, Arkansas 71601 2. Give on line at www.uapb.edu/give (go to other and write in name) or call 870-5758701 3. Give by mobile phone.(TextUAPB19 to 41444) THANK YOU FOR GIVING Dr. Gladys Turner Finney, Class of 1957