Fort Valley State University legacy highlights resilience and empowerment in Georgia’s American Journey series
Fort Valley State University’s history stretches back to a time when formerly enslaved African Americans sought new opportunities through education just decades after the Civil War. “I’ve always been impressed by the founders of this institution,” said Dr. Issac Crumbly, associate vice president of career and collaborative programs. “If you really think about it, 1895 you’re talking about not very many years that they were in slavery, and so as a matter of fact, some of the founders were actually born in slavery at that particular time.” Crumbly said the university was founded during a period when African Americans viewed