Albany State University (1903-2003)

Albany State University, located in southwest Georgia on the banks of the Flint River, is a four-year unit of the University System of Georgia with five academic schools and degree programs in more than 40 areas of study. Founded in 1903 as the Albany Bible and Manual Training Institute by Joseph Winthrop Holley, the institution-patterned after Booker T. Washington's Tuskegee Institute-provided industrial, normal, and religious education for African Americans. In 1917, it became a state-supported, two-year college (Georgia Normal and Agricultural College), and in 1932 entered the University System of Georgia. In 1943 it became a four-year institution (Albany State College) and experienced tremendous growth from 1943 to 1996, when the name was changed to Albany State University.

Within these pages are some 200 photographs depicting the growth initiated by Dr. Joseph Winthrop Holley and continued through the leadership of five dynamic presidents: Dr. Aaron Brown (1943-1954); Dr. William H. Dennis (1954-1965); Dr. Thomas M. Jenkins (1965-1969); Dr. Charles L. Hayes (1969-1980); and Dr. Billy C. Black (1980-1996). Current president Dr. Portia Holmes Shields began a major renovation program for ASU-complete with new buildings and state-of-the art technology-after the devastating floods of 1994 and 1998. Poised for continued growth in the 21st century, the historic institution and its rich history are celebrated in this engaging volume of images.