There are not enough words to describe the kind of woman that Beverly Wade Hogan is.
Hogan has served in numerous positions where she has been the first woman to hold these positions. Here are a few positions Hogan has been a part of: White House Conference on Families; Mississippi chairperson and national delegate, 1980; National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Central Mississippi Chapter, president, 1994-98; Tougaloo College, board of trustees, 1991-97; Foundation for the Mid-South, board member, 1999-; Entergy Mississippi, board member, 1999.
The positions might indicate how active and cognizant Hogan has been in the community, but they do not describe who Hogan is as a person. Having once been a student at Tougaloo College, she has some vivid memories of how it used to be and also describes how it compares to the Tougaloo of today.
“Primarily, Tougaloo was smaller and did not have as many buildings nor did we have the technology that connects us with the speed of a button, and not many students had cars which required most of them to stay on campus,” she said. “Today, Tougaloo College is more technology driven and research oriented which positions us for increased competitiveness in the changing climate of higher education.”
Hogan has been more than active with civil rights as she has always been the type to stand up for what was right and speak out against things that she felt were unjust. With Tougaloo College having a great deal to do with civil rights, Hogan elaborated on how relevant the college has been and will continue to be in the community.
“Tougaloo College is considered the cradle of the civil rights movement in Mississippi. While we have moved beyond that transformative and historic moment in time, it is still important that we prepare our students to have a social conscience and value that which is just and fair. We continue to stress to our students that it is not only about their individual educational and business development, but also for the betterment of society and our community as well. It is about using your education to make a difference. ”
Hogan remained active in the uprising of Tougaloo College even after her matriculation. She graduated with her bachelor’s degree in psychology and went on to get her master’s from Jackson State University in public policy and administration and did doctoral studies at Fielding Graduate University. Hogan loves her alma mater, but the idea of one day running this historical institution never crossed her mind.
“I left college with going to graduate school in mind and working in the field of mental health,” Hogan said. “I was invited by the college to serve on the board of trustees. I call myself the accidental president sometimes because this was not my plan. However, it has been a great and rewarding experience and one of the better decisions of my life.”
Being president of a college, and as a woman especially, is a hard task since it is such a male-dominated profession, but Hogan sees neither skin color nor gender when doing a job.
“Well, I have been in a number of positions where I have been the first African-American woman who held that specific title; I feel that it is important to break new ground and open doors for women to serve in less traditional roles. There should not be a barrier placed on us because of gender, religion, ethnicity, etc.,” said Hogan.
“When I worked in state government, I was often asked, ‘How does it feel to be a woman and have so much power?’ I responded, I do not know how it feels because I have always been a black woman. It is about doing the best job you can in whatever role you are called to play. In the end, that is how you will be measured.”
Challenges are brought to the forefront by many hardships a school goes through, but Hogan and her staff persevere through those hardships.
“Resources are one of the challenges that we face as a private school,” she said. “Tougaloo College receives funds through tuition, fees, alumni and friends who donate to the College. These resources are garnered daily by those who work here.
“Students come here today more technologically savvy, expecting the College to provide the latest technology to enhance their learning and living environment. The standards for accountability are more demanding. We are challenged to meet the needs of the 21st century learner and that is what we are trying to do at Tougaloo College.” Excellence is what Hogan strives for and will not stop working for. “I am excited about the future of Tougaloo College,” she said.
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