Luminaries

Harper Councill Trenholm

Harper Councill Trenholm, one of our country's outstanding Black educators, received his bachelor's degree from Morehouse College in 1920 and his master's from the University of Chicago in 1925. In 1926 he succeeded his father as president of Alabama State University at Montgomery, a position he held until his death in 1963. His tenure was one of tremendous growth and development for the university. He oversaw its change from a junior college to a full four-year institution, a process that was completed in 1928 and which enabled the college to convey its first baccalaureate degree in teacher education in 1931.

Trenholm served 21 years (1938-1959) as executive secretary and one year (1932) as president of the ATA, and was a life member who served on numerous committees of the NEA. He helped build ATA's membership and strength and worked tirelessly for the merger between ATA and NEA.

After years of lobbying, Trenholm successfully challenged Southern Association of Colleges and Schools on its segregated accrediting system. By 1963, the organization provided full membership rights to Black schools and colleges.

In his honor, each year NEA presents a dual Harper Councill Trenholm Memorial Award to one Black and one non-Black educator.