SR 92 (161st Virginia General Assembly)

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 92 Celebrating the life of Luther Hilton Foster.

Agreed to by the Senate, January 21, 2021

WHEREAS, Luther Hilton Foster, a respected teacher, counselor, and school administrator, who was a champion for African American students in the Commonwealth in the early 20th century, died on July 6, 1949; and

WHEREAS, a native of Clover, Luther Foster was born in 1888 and attended public schools in Halifax County; he subsequently graduated from Saint Paul’s Polytechnic Institute, now Saint Paul’s College, in Lawrenceville and the University of Chicago School of Commerce and Business Administration; and

WHEREAS, Luther Foster began his career in education as a public school teacher, then worked as a bookkeeper at Saint Paul’s Polytechnic Institute for several years, before becoming the treasurer and business manager of Virginia Normal and Industrial Institute, now Virginia State University, in 1913; and

WHEREAS, in 1943, Luther Foster was selected as the fourth president of Virginia Normal and Industrial Institute, having previously served as acting president, and served in that capacity until his death; and

WHEREAS, Luther Foster was the founder or member of several organizations designed to help African American students achieve a good education and become successful leaders in their professions and communities; and

WHEREAS, Luther Foster offered his expertise to the Boy Scouts of America as an advisor, was a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and enjoyed fellowship and worship with the Episcopal Church; and

WHEREAS, Luther Foster also served as a member of the executive board of the Protestant Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia and a trustee and board member of Bishop Payne Divinity School; and

WHEREAS, in 1950, Nottoway County Public Schools named Luther H. Foster High School in Luther Foster’s honor; the student activities building at Virginia State University also bears his name; and

WHEREAS, among numerous awards and accolades, Luther Foster received honorary degrees from Morris Brown College at Atlanta University and Virginia Union University; and

WHEREAS, Luther Foster married Daisy Octavia Poole of Surry County in 1913, and the couple had three children, Luther, Jr., Virginia, and Mary; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of Virginia hereby note with great sadness the loss of Luther Hilton Foster, a highly admired educator who fought to ensure equity in education for African Americans; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Luther Hilton Foster as an expression of the Senate of Virginia’s respect for his memory.