Fisk’s Reputation Extends Far Beyond Nashville
Published Apr 30, 2009
In 2007, the U.S. Embassy invited the Fisk Jubilee Singers to the 50th anniversary of Ghana’s independence, just another chapter in more than 130 years of international appearances by the famed student singing group.
But the Jubilee Singers are far from the only mark of distinction for Fisk, the first U.S. university to offer a liberal arts education to “young men and women irrespective of color” and the first university in Nashville of any kind.
Founded in 1866, the 1,000-student Fisk has played a prominent role in African-American history ever since.
Fisk was the first private, black college accredited for its music programs by the National Association of Schools of Music.
In 2008, U.S. News & World Report ranked Fisk as the nation’s fifth-best historically black college.
Fisk was recognized by the National Science Foundation for graduating more African-Americans who go on to earn doctoral degrees in natural sciences than any other college in the nation, says Ken West, communications and public relations vice president at Fisk.
About 70 percent of entering students at Fisk are ranked in the top fifth of their high school classes. More than 70 percent of the university’s alums go on to graduate or professional school, Fisk officials say.
Story by Sam Scott
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