History
Founded as the African Institute in February 1837 and renamed the Institute of Colored Youth (ICY) in April 1837, Cheyney University is the oldest African American institution of higher learning, though degrees were not granted from Cheyney until 1914, when it adopted the curriculum of a normal school (teacher training). 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 people of African descent.
Born on a plantation on Tortola, an island in the British West Indies, Humphreys came to Philadelphia in 1764, where he became concerned about the struggles of free African Americans to make a living. News of a race riot in 1829 prompted Humphreys to write his will. He 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...."
Founded as the African Institute, the school was soon renamed the Institute for Colored Youth. In its early years it provided training in trades and agriculture, as those were the predominant skills needed in the general economy. In 1902 the Institute moved to George Cheyney's farm, 25 miles (40 km) west of Philadelphia; the name "Cheyney" became associated with the school in 1913. The school's official name changed several times during the 20th century. In 1983, Cheyney joined the State System of Higher Education as Cheyney University of Pennsylvania.
The university offers baccalaureate degrees in more than 30 disciplines and master’s degrees in education and public administration.
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