Bishop Payne and the AME Church established Wilberforce University as the first HBCU owned and operated by African Americans. Wilberforce the first HBCU of college grade, included classical liberal arts and science courses. This was opposite to the oppressive industrial curricula advocated by white philanthropists, which preserved the hegemonic view of social order. Holding steadfast to its educational philosophy, in 1894, Wilberforce established a Department of Military Science. Because this was the first time such a program was implemented on a black campus, Wilberforce, needed someone with experience and charisma to lead the program. Second Lieutenant Charles Young took the reins and led the department from 1894-1898. Having risen above racial prejudice as a cadet at West Point, its third Black graduate who later became the services first Black colonel and posthumously promoted to general; Young was well qualified to show the students that it was possible to become an officer in the white man's officer corps. Young was a staunch advocate of higher education and believed it to be the most expedient means by which Blacks could obtain social equality.

In recognition of General Youngs' service as faculty and our chapter's centennial anniversary, were establishing The General Charles Young Endowed Faculty Development Fund for the training and development of faculty. The goal: $65,000. The professoriate creates the institution's academic blueprint and establishes its reputation. If Wilberforce is to preserve its distinctive place in higher education, it must ensure its faculty are skilled and trained in the best educational practices of the profession. Unfortunately, external factors such as the persistent underfunding of HBCUs relative to predominantly white institutions inhibit the University from making such investments at the desired level. Our efforts will help ameliorate this issue.

We met because of Wilberforce; we became friends because of Upsilon.

Let us build a testament to that friendship.