First Native American Students Admitted

Nine Native American pupils were admitted, three women and six men, including Caroline, Nicholson, and Newton Parker, all of Pembroke; Lucia Green and Mary Jemison of Cattaurugus; Levi Williams of Collins; Thomas Webster of Lenox; and Honues Neddy of Onondaga. Between 1850 and 1853 a total of 25 Native American students attended the Normal School or its Experimental School. None were listed as graduates of the school and on July 21, 1853 the Legislature passed a bill, at the urging of the Executive Committee, providing for the education of Native Americans at academies instead of the Normal School. The first known Native American graduate was Harriet Twoguns, class of 1865.

Subjects

Notable Students

Source Details

Appendix B, Annual Report of the Executive Committee, January 3, 185[1], p. 21; French, p. 94-95; Annual Report of the Executive Committee of the State Normal School, Dec. 31, 1853, p. 6-7. See also chronology entry for Harriet Twoguns, class of 1865.