Edward Waters College News January 2016 EWC Celebrates Its Sesquicentennial Edward Waters College kicked-off its 150th anniversary with a balloon release and celebratory cake-cutting during a Sesquicentennial Celebration January 20th. President Nathaniel Glover, EWC faculty, staff, students and alumni gathered to honor the rich history of Florida's oldest historically black college and private institution of higher learning. There were spirited performances by the Triple Threat Marching Band and EWC Concert Choir. The program also concluded with the release of 150 biodegradable purple an orange balloons and a cake-cutting. EWC's 150th Anniversary Celebration will continue with events throughout the year. Formerly named Brown's Theological Institute, EWC was founded in 1866 by the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church to educate newly emancipated slaves. The school met the needs of its community by offering courses at the elementary, high school, college and seminary levels. Construction on the first building began in 1872 on ten acres of land in Live Oak, Florida. In 1892 the school's name was changed to Edward Waters College in honor of the third Bishop of the AME Church. The school moved to Jacksonville, Florida in 1893 where the campus was destroyed by the Great Fire of 1901. In 1904 the Board of Trustees purchased the present site of the school on Kings Road where it was rebuilt. Decades later, Edward Waters College continues to educate students of all races and religions. The College continues its mission of advancing students in a global society through excellence of scholarship, research and service for the betterment of humanity. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-592-4820 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.