Friends
and supporters of Dr. Henry Givens Jr. know exactly what would make
a perfect send-off gift, as his 32 years of leading
Harris-Stowe State University
“font-family: Verdana;”>come to a close last month.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>They are holding a reception and dinner on Nov. 4 at the Chase Park Plaza to fund a permanent scholarship in Givens’ name. The cocktail reception begins at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m. The evening will include a tribute to commemorate the work of Givens, the longest-serving president of any university in Missouri.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>The steering committee for the celebration includes Donna Wilkinson, Greg Boyce, Dr. William Danforth, Debra Hollingsworth, David Steward, Donald M. Suggs and Douglas Yaeger.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Under Givens’ leadership, the university (an Historically Black College or University, or HBCU) has nearly tripled its student population. It has grown from one building with only one degree to eight facilities and 14 degrees.Â
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>David Steward, founder of World Wide Technology, Inc, said, “I view him as much as an entrepreneur as an educator can possibly be. I know what it takes as an entrepreneur myself. I have such admiration for him.”
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Givens has a knack for reeling in students on the fringe. About 90 percent of the university’s student population are first-generation college students.Â
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“So once we get them, we work with them,” he said.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>One of the biggest ways he does that is through scholarships. Last year he headed the most successful fundraising campaign in the university’s 152-year history, reaching $45 million.Â
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>From 1979 to 1993, HSSU only had one degree to offer students. Now there are 14, including criminal justice, business administration and urban studies. In spite of the university’s limited degree offerings, 3,746 students have graduated from the university since 1978.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>The list of Givens’ achievements is exhausting, but Givens said every bit of it has always been for the students.Â
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“Without the students we serve, there is absolutely no reason for Harris-Stowe State University to exist,” he said.Â
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Givens endured and overcame many challenges, particularly in keeping higher education affordable. Historically, Harris Teachers College prepared white elementary school teachers for the City’s public schools and Stowe prepared the black public school teachers. The two schools merged in 1954, and Givens left his position as the assistant commissioner of education in the Missouri Department of Education to run Harris-Stowe.Â
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>It takes someone with great vision, passion, belief and steadfastness to build such a remarkable institution from an almost hopeless base, said Donald M. Suggs, publisher and executive editor of The St. Louis American newspaper.Â
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“His skillful leadership has been indispensable in bringing to fruition the dreams he almost singularly had for Harris-Stowe three decades ago,” Suggs said. “He has been tireless and totally focused.”Â
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Givens started his career as a teacher at Webster Groves School District, and then he became a principal at the first prototype of a magnet school in the nation. He became the first African-American assistant commissioner of education in Missouri, where he served for five years. In 1979 he became president of what would become Harris-Stowe State College some years later and a university in 2005.Â
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“He has been a pioneer for our state’s work in education,” said Gov. Jay Nixon.Â
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>For information regarding tickets or sponsorships available, call 367-8118.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Â
