March 19 …

The Combined Normal and Industrial Department of Wilberforce University — the precursor to Central State University (CSU) — was established by the Ohio General Assembly on March 19, 1887, to train African American teachers and provide industrial education for Black students.

The two-year training program expanded into a four-year college in 1941, formally separated from Wilberforce in 1947, and became Central State College in 1951. Central State achieved university status in 1965 and, in 2014, was designated a federal land-grant institution, strengthening its role in agricultural research and community outreach.

The university’s development reflected broader trends in African American higher education, particularly the balance between industrial training and liberal arts instruction advocated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Despite facing chronic underfunding, Central State persisted and grew.

A defining moment came in 1974 when a devastating tornado struck nearby Xenia, Ohio, destroying much of the campus. The institution rebuilt and continued expanding its academic programs in education, business, and the sciences, reinforcing its mission of access and advancement.

Central State offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs. Among its most popular are:

• Business Administration, particularly concentrations in management and marketing;
• Education, reflecting the university’s historic roots in teacher training; and
• Criminal Justice, which attracts students interested in public service and law enforcement careers.

In recent years, the university has also expanded and promoted programs in STEM fields, including Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, and Biology, as part of its land-grant mission and focus on workforce development. Agricultural sciences and environmental studies have likewise grown in prominence, especially following their 2014 designation as a federal land-grant institution.

Central State alumni have made significant contributions to American society. Notable individuals in arts and entertainment include:

• Nancy Wilson (1959) — Internationally acclaimed jazz singer;
• Tom Joyner (1973) — Nationally syndicated radio personality and a leading advocate for historically Black colleges; and
• Hugh Douglas (1994) — All-Pro defensive end in the National Football League and later a sports analyst.

Other graduates in government and academia include:

• Stephanie Tubbs Jones (1971) — First African American woman elected to Congress from Ohio;
• Robert L. Lucas (1952) — Long-time mayor of Dayton, Ohio; and
• Wesley L. McDonald (1963) — Veterinarian and later president of Tuskegee University.

Today, Central State University remains a vital institution within the network of historically Black colleges and universities. Its legacy is marked by resilience, particularly in the face of natural disasters and systemic inequities, and by its continued commitment to educating students who go on to impact diverse fields across American society.

Footnotes:

• Central State University. Our History and Traditions. Wilberforce, OH: Central State University, n.d. Accessed April 26, 2026.
• Central State University. About Central State University. Wilberforce, OH: Central State University, n.d. Accessed April 26, 2026.
• “Central State University.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Last modified April 2026. Accessed April 26, 2026.
• “Nancy Wilson (jazz singer).” Encyclopaedia Britannica. Chicago: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc., n.d. Accessed April 26, 2026.
• “Tom Joyner.” Encyclopaedia Britannica. Chicago: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc., n.d. Accessed April 26, 2026.
• National Football League. Hugh Douglas Player Profile. NFL.com, n.d. Accessed April 26, 2026.
• United States Congress. Stephanie Tubbs Jones. Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. Accessed April 26, 2026.