ROBINSON continued CHARTER DAY continued Robinson was inducted into the Baseball The Old Administration Building, once Wright and typical of the urban Hall of Fame. He died on October 24, described as “statuesque but dilapidated,” Southwest during the early 20th century. 1972. “abandoned but not forgotten,” and one The interior of the building displays the of three buildings remaining from pressed tin ceilings, hardwood floors, Major League Baseball declared April 15, Tillotson College, reopened with a new prominent wooden staircases, and door 2007, Jackie Robinson Day in name and purpose. Constructed between trims reflecting the past. commemoration of the 60th anniversary 1913-1914, Tillotson College students in of Robinson’s Brooklyn Dodgers debut. the Industrial Arts program made the “We thank God for all of you and for this His wife Rachel Robinson, was presented cinder blocks from which the structure day,” Earvin concluded before cutting the the Commissioner’s Historical was built. These students also assisted ribbon, allowing everyone to enter the Achievement Award for the Jackie with the construction of the building. building. Robinson Foundation. Robert G. Stanton, Class of 1963, and References and Photo Credits: immediate past director of the National • “Jackie Robinson Breaks Baseball’s Color Barrier, Park Service, United States Department of 1945,” EyeWitness to History, the Interior, who facilitated a $525,000 www.eyewitnesstohistory.com (2005) restoration matching grant that jump • “A Legacy Remembered” by Eric Enders, Austin LEONARD continued started the $3.1 million campaign, shared American-Statesman, April 15, 1997. with the crowd on a picture perfect day the Brown vs. Board of Education Equity • Huston-Tillotson University Downs-Jones Library Commission. He participated on a panel Archives. that the eyes of Washington, D.C. were upon Huston-Tillotson University. “These during Charter Day 2004 at Huston- funds don’t come easy, and you Tillotson that examined the landmark performed!” Stanton said. Brown v. Board of Education case. He returned the following year as the Charter Once the center of campus activities with Day speaker. its administrative offices, library, and classrooms, the building sat vacant from Although the jobs in the nation’s capital 1969 to August 2004 when the have been different the “pace has been Institutional Advancement offices very similar and very quick.” His days are occupied the edifice. During the grand long but Leonard gives his full attention opening the Wachovia Business Resource and devotion to the person or issue before and Training Center, Bertha Sadler Means him when he stops. His start at Huston- African American Heritage Resource Tillotson and “my knowledge of history Center, Dell Computer Laboratory, Austin prepared me for the work of the CBC,” Community Foundation Conference he concluded. Room, Coe-Robinson Alumni Conference Center, and a Heritage Wall of Investors were showcased.

Baseball teams throughout the league celebrated the The 93-year old, three-story structure is 60th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the listed in the National Register of Historic color barrier on April 15, 1947, by wearing No. 42 Places and designated with a Texas on their uniforms. Historical Marker as a Texas Historical Site. The exterior contains its initial subtle, but majestic splendor depicting the distinctive “Modified Prairie” school of architecture developed by Frank Lloyd

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