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Black History of Tabor by Shea Sutherland
Students, faculty and staff of varying backgrounds
recruiting Black students by serving as the Minority
have come and gone since the founding of Tabor
Service coordinator, calling for their representation
College in 1908.
on Student Senate, and assisting Tabor’s first Multicultural Student Union in 1977.
“The first Black students at Tabor came from the North Carolina Mennonite Brethren District Conference in 1944 and 1945,” said Peggy Goertzen,
“Donald and his wife, Helen, were dearly loved and influential,” said Goertzen.
director and archivist of the Center of Mennonite Brethren Studies. “Some of their names include
Govan’s impact laid a path for future students and
Wyoming Horton, Lily Mae Jackson and Leroy
staff to have influence as well, for example, a student
Hartso.”
named Jim Elam.
In honor of Black History Month, there are several individuals of color that have had great influence
Goertzen said Elam was originally recruited to play football and found the Lord his freshman year.
throughout Tabor’s history. Elam later returned to Tabor, where he put his Morris Hatton is one particular individual--a past
calling from God into action. He served as the
music major and singer under the direction of Paul
assistant dean of students, men’s resident director,
Wohlgemuth, Hatton graduated in 1972.
assistant football coach and MSU adviser.
Goertzen said Hatton was later appointed to the Tabor College Board of Directors, serving from 2003
“Jim encompassed a strong testimony that allowed him to relate well to others,” said Goertzen.
to 2007. Jim Elam, Morris Hatton and Donald Govan have Five years after Hatton’s graduation, Donald Govan made history as the first Black faculty member in 1977. Govan played a large role in
left a mark on Tabor’s history, along with so many others, shaping today’s students, faculty and staff.
