Published: October 09, 2009 09:56 pm      

Berea awards early alumnus

Laine promoted education, fought for equality

BEREA — Henry Allen Laine dedicated his life to education and the fight for equal rights for African Americans.

On Thursday, during the 10th Annual Founder’s Day Convocation at Berea College, Laine was honored with the John G. Fee Award, given posthumously to alumni from 1866-1904 who displayed distinguished service to their community, especially in education.

“He was a man who grew up in Madison County and dedicated his whole life to education in formal and informal ways,” Berea College President Larry Shinn told a packed house of mostly students at Phelps-Stokes Chapel.

“He lived his life living out the vision we share in our motto,” said Shinn, referring to the school’s motto, which states “God has made of one blood all peoples of the earth.”

Laine was born in 1870 and received a teaching degree from Berea College in 1899.

He taught in Madison County for 21 years and founded the Madison Colored Teachers Association in 1910, serving as the group’s chairman for 20 years.

Laine was the first African-American county extension agent and in 1915 organized a club for the African-American farmers in Madison County.

He formed the Colored Chautauqua, an event designed to bring cultural, religious and social opportunities to the community.

In 1914, Laine published a book of poetry entitled “Footprints.”

Laine, who died in 1955, was heavily involved in fighting school segregation laws, which helped lead to his induction into the Kentucky Civil Rights Hall of Fame in 2003.

“When we look back to our past we can recover much that is good as we face the future,” Shinn said during the presentation of the award to a large contingent of Laine’s descendants.

Laine’s oldest living grandchild, Clara Mae Broyles, spoke for the family.

“It is with great pleasure that I accept this award on behalf of the Laine grandchildren and all descendants,” Broyles said.

The award was significant to the family, not just for Laine’s service to the community, but also for the recognition he received as a distinguished African American scholar, Broyles said.

She added that their grandfather took pride in a thirst for learning, having a strong work ethic and his faith in god, which she said are attributes Berea College strives to uphold.

The “Laine Family Singers,” comprised of family members, sang two songs to honor Laine.

Shinn pointed out that many of Laine’s descendants have followed in his footsteps and become teachers, or leaders in other fields.

“They have really been representative of Henry Allen Laine, in carrying on his tradition, but you can see from their singing that also have his heart,” Shinn told the audience. “May you have his heart as you leave today.”



Tim Mandell can be reached at tmandell@richmondregister.com or 623-1669 ext. 6696.