2nd Annual Ebenezer D. Bassett Day
Friday, October 16, 2015
5:00 pm ~ Torp Theater, Davidson Hall
Reception immediately following in Davidson Courtyard
5:00 pm ~ Torp Theater, Davidson Hall
Reception immediately following in Davidson Courtyard
Central Connecticut State University
1615 Stanley Street, New Britain, Connecticut
Free and open to the public
Parking will be available in the Student Center Parking Lot & Garage
Please join us in commemorating the first
African American alumnus of CCSU’s parent institution,
the New Britain Normal School
Featuring the presentation of the first annual
Ebenezer D. Bassett Humanitarian Awards
honoring community members who exemplify
the principles of Mr. Bassett’s life and career
www.ccsu.edu/bassett
www.facebook.com/EbenezerBassett
Ebenezer D. Bassett
was born on October 16, 1833, the son and grandson of renowned Black Governors of Derby, Connecticut. In 1852, he became the first African American student accepted to New Britain’s State Normal School, the parent institution of CCSU, and graduated with honors in September of 1853. Mr. Bassett served as principal of Philadelphia’s Institute for Colored Youth, which became Cheyney University, the nation’s first Historically Black College. In 1869, President Ulysses S. Grant appointed Mr. Bassett as Minister Resident to Haiti, making him the first African American ambassador.
The Ebenezer D. Bassett Commemoration Day Ceremony will take place on Friday, October 16, 2015 in the Thorpe Theater, on the historic Central Connecticut State University campus (New Britain, CT). This date marks the 182nd birthday of Ebenezer Don Carlos Bassett, the first African American to serve as a United States Diplomat. Mr. Bassett also has the distinction of being the first African American student accepted (1852) and to graduate from (1853) the New Britain Normal School, the parent institution of Central Connecticut State University. Mr. Ebenezer Don Carlos Bassett’s life as an educator, abolitionist, humanitarian, and public servant allowed him to become one of the most influential individuals of the 19th century. We are honored to have Ms. Myra F. Burton Chief, Africa and Americas Division Office of the Historian, U.S. Department of State as our keynote speaker, and Mr. Stan Simpson, Fox TV will serve as the Master of Ceremonies. This year we will individually honor six Connecticut leaders with the Ebenezer D. Bassett Memorial Humanitarian Award in each of the following categories:
· Mr. John B. Larson, U.S. Congressman – “Alumni Award”
· Ms. Mary Sanders, Social Activist - “Civil Rights”
· Mr. Curtis D. Robinson, Businessman – “Faith & Freedom”
· Mr. Howard K. Hill, Businessman – “Diplomat”
· Mr. John H. Motley, Businessman – “Diplomat”
· Mr. Jonathan Holloway, Educator – “Scholar/Educator”
For event information, please contact
William Fothergill [email protected]
Janet Woodruff [email protected]
Sponsored by:
History Department Anthropology Department
CCSU Foundation, Inc. Center for Africana Studies
Office of Institutional Advancement
1615 Stanley Street, New Britain, Connecticut
Free and open to the public
Parking will be available in the Student Center Parking Lot & Garage
Please join us in commemorating the first
African American alumnus of CCSU’s parent institution,
the New Britain Normal School
Featuring the presentation of the first annual
Ebenezer D. Bassett Humanitarian Awards
honoring community members who exemplify
the principles of Mr. Bassett’s life and career
www.ccsu.edu/bassett
www.facebook.com/EbenezerBassett
Ebenezer D. Bassett
was born on October 16, 1833, the son and grandson of renowned Black Governors of Derby, Connecticut. In 1852, he became the first African American student accepted to New Britain’s State Normal School, the parent institution of CCSU, and graduated with honors in September of 1853. Mr. Bassett served as principal of Philadelphia’s Institute for Colored Youth, which became Cheyney University, the nation’s first Historically Black College. In 1869, President Ulysses S. Grant appointed Mr. Bassett as Minister Resident to Haiti, making him the first African American ambassador.
The Ebenezer D. Bassett Commemoration Day Ceremony will take place on Friday, October 16, 2015 in the Thorpe Theater, on the historic Central Connecticut State University campus (New Britain, CT). This date marks the 182nd birthday of Ebenezer Don Carlos Bassett, the first African American to serve as a United States Diplomat. Mr. Bassett also has the distinction of being the first African American student accepted (1852) and to graduate from (1853) the New Britain Normal School, the parent institution of Central Connecticut State University. Mr. Ebenezer Don Carlos Bassett’s life as an educator, abolitionist, humanitarian, and public servant allowed him to become one of the most influential individuals of the 19th century. We are honored to have Ms. Myra F. Burton Chief, Africa and Americas Division Office of the Historian, U.S. Department of State as our keynote speaker, and Mr. Stan Simpson, Fox TV will serve as the Master of Ceremonies. This year we will individually honor six Connecticut leaders with the Ebenezer D. Bassett Memorial Humanitarian Award in each of the following categories:
· Mr. John B. Larson, U.S. Congressman – “Alumni Award”
· Ms. Mary Sanders, Social Activist - “Civil Rights”
· Mr. Curtis D. Robinson, Businessman – “Faith & Freedom”
· Mr. Howard K. Hill, Businessman – “Diplomat”
· Mr. John H. Motley, Businessman – “Diplomat”
· Mr. Jonathan Holloway, Educator – “Scholar/Educator”
For event information, please contact
William Fothergill [email protected]
Janet Woodruff [email protected]
Sponsored by:
History Department Anthropology Department
CCSU Foundation, Inc. Center for Africana Studies
Office of Institutional Advancement