One of the longest serving presidents in higher education, Benjamin F. Payton of Tuskegee University, has announced plans to retire. During Payton's tenure, Tuskegee broadened its educational offerings (and changed its name from Tuskegee Institute to Tuskegee University to reflect that shift). Tuskegee has a prominent role in the history of black higher education and a tradition of long-serving presidents, starting with Booker T. Washington. Since its founding in 1881, the university has had only five presidents.