Wiley College stars on Screen and in Real Life

A little-known “David and Goliath” story is coming to life on the silver screen in the Christmas 2007 release “The Great Debaters.”

Denzel Washington portrays Melvin B. Tolson, a Wiley College professor who in 1935 inspired students to form the school’s first debate team and challenge the University of Southern California (shown as Harvard in the film) in a national championship. Despite
incredible odds, Wiley beat Southern California - and a score of other oratorical powerhouses.

Lent is a time to prepare for Easter. It is a necessary prelude. The death and
resurrection of Christ are true whether or not you prepare for Easter. However, without
your heart and life being ready, you may not experience the depth and power of Christ’s death and resurrection. With the aid of the following you can make commitments to discipline and growth for the next six weeks. As well you may think of other ways.

Wiley, located in Marshall, Texas, is one of United Methodist’s eleven historically Black colleges and universities which graduates about a fourth of all African-American college students. For more than a century, these institutions have enriched minds and led the way in education, medicine, politics, religion and science.

In 1971 enrollment dropped so low that plans to close the college began. Rev. Robert Hayes, Sr., Bishop Hayes’ father was appointed President “to give the college a decent burial.” However he raised the necessary funds to keep the college open. At that time Bishop Hayes served as the chaplain for the school. As Bishop Hayes states “it was the United Methodist connection that really kept Wiley open - the grace of God at work, and United Methodism at its finest.”

The Black College Fund is critical to the survival and growth of United Methodism’s historically Black colleges and universities. You can support leadership for life by encouraging your congregation to pay its Black College Fund apportionment 100 percent. Help Wiley College and other historically African-American institutions to meet the challenges of the 21st century - contribute to the legacy.

To get the latest information on “The Great Debaters” and to learn more about Wiley and other institutions supported by the Black College fund, go to www.umc.org/greatdebaters and www.gbhem.org/bcf.