Yale University is giving an honorary degree to the first known Black person to study at the institution, the New Haven Register reported. Rev. James W.C. Pennington, who escaped slavery to seek education 186 years ago, attended Yale from 1834-37 and studied theology.
Along with Pennington, the Yale board of trustees voted to award an honorary degree to the Reverend Alexander Crummell, who attended the university from 1840- 1841.
According to the university, the two men weren’t allowed to register formally for classes or matriculate for a degree at that time because they’re Black. They were also prohibited from participating in classroom discussions or accessing library resources.
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