Originally Published by the Dayton Daily News
By Wayne Baker, Staff Writer
WILBERFORCE —
In 1895, the department of theology separated from Wilberforce University becoming Payne Theological Seminary, named in honor of AME Bishop Daniel Alexander Payne.
Today, Payne Theological Seminary in Wilberforce is the oldest free-standing African American seminary in the United States.
Like many education institutions, the seminary is preparing to reopen its campus and continue operations following the recent closure during the coronavirus pandemic. Because of its unique educational model, Payne did not furlough staff in the past three months. In fact, the institution plans to make a few hires over the next three months.