Cheyney University

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Cheyney University
1837 University Circle P.O. Box 200
Cheyney, PA 19319

610-399-2275 or 1-800-CHEYNEY

About CU

Founded in 1837 as the Institute for Colored Youth, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania is the oldest of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities in America. The founding of Cheyney University was made possible by Richard Humphreys, a Quaker philanthropist who bequeathed $10,000, one tenth of his estate, to design and establish a school to educate the descendents of the African race.

Born on a plantation in the West Indies, Richard Humphreys came to Philadelphia in 1764. Having witnessed the struggles of African Americans competing unsuccessfully for jobs due to the influx of immigrants, he became interested in their plight. In 1829, race riots heightened and it was that year Richard Humphreys wrote his will and charged thirteen fellow Quakers to design an institution: "...to instruct the descendents of the African Race in school learning, in the various branches of the mechanic Arts, trades and Agriculture, in order to prepare and fit and qualify them to act as teachers...."

The school began in Philadelphia as the Institute for Colored Youth and successfully provided free classical education for qualified young people. In 1902, the Institute moved to George Cheyney's farm, 25 miles west of Philadelphia. In 1913, the name was changed to Cheyney State Teachers College; in 1921, the State Normal School at Cheyney; and in 1959, Cheyney State College. In 1983, Cheyney joined the State System of Higher Education as Cheyney University of Pennsylvania.

Today, Cheyney University students represent a variety of races, cultures, and nationalities who receive education instruction beyond the vision of Richard Humphreys. Cheyney graduates still become teachers, but students also enter careers such as journalism, medicine, business, science, law, communication, and government service. The university offers baccalaureate degrees in more than 30 disciplines and the master’s degree in education.

Cheyney University is proud of its more than 10,000 graduates. Well known alumni include journalist Ed Bradley of the CBS program “60 Minutes;” Robert W. Bogle, publisher and CEO of the Philadelphia Tribune, the oldest newspaper continuously owned an operated by an African American; Gladys Styles Johnston, Chancellor of the University of Nebraska at Kearney; Congressman Curt Weldon who represents the 7th Congressional District (which includes Chester and Delaware Counties); State Representative Michael Horsey who represents the 190th district in Philadelphia County; State Representative Thaddeus Kirkland who represents the 159th district in Delaware County; Robert L. Woodson, Founder and President of the National left for Neighborhood Enterprise (NCNE), Washington, D.C.; Samuel J. Patterson, CEO of Shepard Patterson Systems and Information Consulting Firm; and Ambassador (retired) Joseph M. Segars.

For detailed information about Cheyney University's formation, please visit our History page.

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