HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - On this date in 1959, noted educator Byrd Prillerman was born.

He grew up to be one of the founders of the West Virginia Colored Institute. That became what we know today as West Virginia State University.

He was a public school teacher in Charleston in his early career, but he realized the need for higher education for blacks.

By 1891, he had convinced Governor A.B. Fleming to create the school.

Prillerman was named the school president in 1909 until he retired in 1919.

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