Preston Eagleson

First African-American letter winner at IU (football, 1894, also played baseball but no letter given) … first African-American to receive IU master’s degree … son of Bloomington barber, member of family that accumulated more than 20 IU degrees (including great-granddaughter Cora Bridgewaters, first African-American IU trustee . . . married, father of 3 children … 2-year high school principal in Bloomington, later at high school in St. Louis … ordained minister, died at 35 in 1911 … buried in Rose Hall Cemetery . . . IUPUI gives annual Preston Eagleson Award to student whose essay best advances understanding of the African-American experience.