Robert Russa Moton, The Second President Of Tuskegee University Was A Member Of Phi Beta Sigma
Did you know that Robert Russa Moton was a member of Phi Beta Sigma? Moton pledged the Gamma Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma.
Robert Russa Moton was an American educator and author. He served as an administrator at Hampton Institute. In 1915, he was named principal of Tuskegee Institute after the death of founder Booker T. Washington and held that position for 20 years until retirement in 1935.
Robert Russa Moton was born on August 26, 1867, in Amelia County, Virginia. He grew up in nearby Rice and Prince Edward Counties. He was the grandson of a slave trader who had become wealthy by engaging himself in the trade. He later became enslaved after his grandfather’s fortune dwindled to nothing during the Civil War. This led to him establishing his family name here shortly thereafter (Moton).
After the death of Booker T. Washington in 1915, Moton succeeded him as the second principal at Tuskegee Institute. He supported the work-study program while also emphasizing education and liberal arts within its curriculum, awarding degrees in agriculture and education at the bachelor’s level.