[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 20350]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   BETHUNE-COOKMAN COLLEGE CENTENNIAL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN L. MICA

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 29, 2004

  Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on the 100th anniversary of the 
founding of the Bethune-Cookman College in Daytona Beach, Florida.
  On October 4 , 1904, Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune opened the Daytona 
Literary and Industrial School for Training Negro Girls in Daytona 
Beach with 5 pupils, $1.50 in capital and an unwavering faith in God.
  Today, that initial investment has grown into a diverse student body 
of nearly 3,000, an annual budget of $50 million and an endowment of 
$26 million.
  Today, the Bethune-Cookman College Board of Trustees is comprised of 
national corporate leaders, educators and religious leaders.
  In 1923 the school begun by Dr. Bethune merged with the Cookman 
Institute of Jacksonville, Florida and 1 year later it became 
affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Today Bethune-Cookman 
College enjoys and flourishes in its relationship with the Board of 
Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church.
  In 1931 the school evolved into a junior college and became known as 
it is today, Bethune-Cookman College.
  In its 100-year history the College has had only four presidents: Dr. 
Mary McLeod Bethune; Dr. James E. Colston; Dr. Richard V. Moore, Sr.; 
and Dr. Oswald P. Bronson, Sr. In this 100th year since its founding, 
Dr. Trudie Kibbe Reed has been appointed by the Board of Trustees to 
lead Bethune-Cookman College into its second century as the fifth 
overall and the second female to serve as president.
  During this century of service Bethune-Cookman College has earned and 
maintained institutional and programmatic accreditation. Such adherence 
to high standards has earned Bethune-Cookman College a world-wide 
reputation for academic excellence and compassionate service.
  Bethune-Cookman College now matriculates students in 37 major areas 
through six academic schools: business, education, humanities, nursing, 
science and mathematics, and social sciences. In its 63-year service as 
a 4-year baccalaureate-degree-granting liberal arts college, more than 
12,000 students have graduated to assume leadership roles in their 
communities and in the global workplace.
  Mr. Speaker, as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives 
representing Florida's 7th Congressional District, I am pleased to 
honor Bethune-Cookman College on the occasion of Centennial Founder's 
Day. Today, I join many others in congratulating Bethune-Cookman 
College on its 100th year since the founding of Dr. Mary McLeod 
Bethune's vision that has become a great legacy for all of us to share.

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