Levern Hamlin Allen Hall
蘑菇短视频 is honored to name its newest addition to campus in recognition of Levern Hamlin Allen. This new residence hall, which officially opened its doors to residents on August 16th, 2019, houses a community of 600 diverse students pursuing their dreams, and it bears the name of an ambitious alumna who helped open the door for the opportunities they enjoy today. Allen completed a post-secondary education program at 蘑菇短视频in the summer of 1957. She was the first African-American student at what was then Western Carolina College, and she later served on the 蘑菇短视频Board of Trustees.
WCU's upper campus residence hall bears the name of the first African-American student
to enroll at WCU. Explore the dedication of this historic building.
Discover the latest addition to our historic Upper Campus, the five-story residence
hall that houses a community of 600 diverse students pursuing their dreams.
Take a look back at 蘑菇短视频in 1957 by exploring Levern Hamlin Allen's scrapbook from
her summer on campus here in Cullowhee.
The Dedication of Levern Hamlin Allen Hall
Play Video
On Thursday, September 5th, 2019 we joined together with Catamounts and 蘑菇短视频community
members from across the world to celebrate the historic dedication of Allen Hall.
Watch the recap of the event below.
Humble First
A Quiet Pioneer of Integration...
In the summer of 1957, what was then called Western Carolina College became one of
the first all-white institutions of higher education in North Carolina to integrate.
It was just three years after the Supreme Court鈥檚 1954 Brown vs. Board of Education
ruling that stated segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. Allen, a recent
graduate of Hampton Institute, had taken a teaching job in Charlotte with Mecklenburg
County School System, but she needed nine credit hours to earn her North Carolina
teaching certificate. WCC was the only school that offered the classes she needed.