William Tecumseh Vernon
William Tecumseh Vernon (July 11, 1871 – July 25, 1944) was an American educator, minister and bishop in the African Methodist Episcopal Church who served as president of Western University beginning in 1896 and Register of the Treasury from 1906 to 1911. Biography William Tecumseh Vernon was born to former slaves north of Lebanon, Missouri. Formerly held by the Vernon family, his father and the family took their surname. His parents likely named their son after the Union general William Tecumseh Sherman, a hero during the Civil War. William went to school in Lebanon. Career After graduation, Vernon taught at the Institute for several years. In 1896 at the age of 25, he was ordained as a minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. That year he was appointed president of Western University, a historically black university near Kansas City supported by the A.M.E. Conference. He brought new energy to the school, gaining legislative support to add industrial education to the school. To support the new programs in training for agriculture and mechanical trades, he had facilities constructed, including new dormitories. Vernon was a lifelong proponent of education: Vernon achieved prominence as a Republican as president of Western University, and