Memorial Day, May 27, 2013,alumni and friends of the University of Arkansas at
Pine Bluff, Forest Park Historical Society members, and area residents gathered
at the historic Forest Home Cemetery in Forest Park, Illinois to dedicate the newly
erected headstone for Dr. Joseph Carter Corbin.
The headstone, erected by the Joseph Carter Corbin Headstone Project, co-sponsored
by the Black History Commission of Arkansas, and alumni and friends of the
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is a memorial to Dr. Corbin, an Ohioan, who
was the founder and first president of Branch Normal College, now the University
of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.
Presiding was Dr. Gladys Turner Finney, alumna and chairperson of the headstone
project who discovered Dr. Corbin's gravesite, and raised money for a headstone
for Dr. Corbin, his wife, Mary Jane and two sons, John W. and William H. Corbin.
The speaker was Congressman Danny Davis, U. S. House of Representatives,
Illinois 7th District, an alumnus of the University. Other program participants were
the nationally acclaimed genealogist, Tony Burroughs and Commissioner Carla Coleman,
Chair of the Black History Commission of Arkansas. Kitti Jackson substituted for
Henri Linton, Director of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Museum and
Cultural Center who could not attend. Christine Parker, Jackey Cason, and
Frederick McNeal, Jr. represented the Chicago Alumni Chapter of UAPB.
Anthony Calderone, mayor of the Village of Forest Park, presented a Resolution
from the Council, commemorating the dedication.
Jackey Cason, President of the Chicago Alumni Chapter, presented a $500.00
check to the Joseph Carter Corbin Headstone Project from the National UAPB
Alumni President, Calvin Booker. Roland G. Price of RG Price & Associates
of Chicago presented a check for $300.00.
Tributes were received from Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown, Ohio Governor,
John R. Kasich, Ohio House of Representatives, Roland Winburn, 34th District,
Arkansas House of Representatives, Mike Holcomb, and Arkansas Senate-
Senator Stephanie Flowers, 25th District.
Masonic Resolutions were received from The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand
Lodge of Arkansas, and The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Illinois.
Congressman Danny Davis and Arkansas Senator, Mark Pryor placed tributes
in the 113th Congressional Record.
After the dedication, there was a Meet and Greet at Shanahan's Restaurant.
