Society who had graduated from Oberlin College. In 1865 the school was offering not only a traditional curriculum but also advanced classes in Greek, Latin, and mathematics. Students at the school at this time had limited career options open to them. Male students could pursue training as ministers to serve the AME church. Female students could train to work as teachers in a Christian education setting, as the school did not yet have licensing to graduate teachers who could teach in the public schools.
From the beginning, Payne's tenure was marked by a two-pronged approach to curriculum with one prong emphasizing religion and the other culture. Students were required to attend chapel services and religion classes twice daily. This practice was in place at WU until June 17, 1891 when the school board reduced the amount of religious instruction to only one chapel service daily. There were also two weekly prayer meetings on campus; one of which was compulsory for students.
==== Reconstruction era: 1865-1877 ====
In …
