User:Pluggs21/Miles Washington Connor

Dr. Miles Washington Connor (1888-1957) was an African-American educator, administrator, religious and civic leader in the early to mid 20th century. Born in Norfolk County near Portsmouth, Virginia, he received his early and high school education at the Norfolk Mission College. He received his Bachelors in Art in 1908 From Virginia Union University in Richmond, Va. He was then awarded a Masters of Art degree from Howard University in 1913 and another by Columbia University in 1926 along with his Doctor of Philosophy degree in 1934 from New York University. Miles Connor began his teaching career at Selma University in Selma, Alabama. After three years he became a professor of education, teaching history and geography at Virginia State College as well as three years teaching at Virginia Union University in Richmond. In 1926 after a move to Baltimore, Dr. Connor was appointed principal of the Colored Teachers Training School. Under his Leadership the Colored Teachers Training School grew to the Coppin Normal School (named for: Fanny Jackson Coppin) and then in 1950 Coppin State Teachers College (now: Coppin State University). Dr. Miles Washington Became the first officially appointed president of the College in which capacity he served until his retirement in 1956.

Dr. Connor served on the boards and councils for many organizations. For several years he served as Chairman for the Board of American Teachers Association as well as Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Virginia Union University. He also found time to serve on the Council of Churches of Maryland and Delaware, The Boy Scouts of America, the YMCA, and many more.

Miles Connor was married to the former Mrs. Mattie L. Martin a former teacher at Dunbar High School, Baltimore, Maryland. They had one Foster Daughter Miss Bertha M. Connor, a professor at Howard University.

In 1959 the first Building of Coppin State Univeristy permanent home was named the Miles Washinigton Connor Building.