DIY History | Transcribe | Campus Culture | University of Iowa Afro-American Cultural Center, 1968-2009 | 1993-10-04 Iowa City Press-Citizen Article: "African-American center celebrates"

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University of Iowa Afro-American Cultural Center, 1968-2009

1993-10-04 Iowa City Press-Citizen Article: "African-American center celebrates"

[handwritten]
10/4/93

African-American center celebrates

By Joanne Word
The Press-Citizen

The University of Iowa Afro-American Cultural Center was filled with former staff members, alumni, current students, faculty and friends Saturday to celebrate 25 years of history. 
   The Afro-American Cultural Center was started in the fall of 1968 as part of a proposal to the UI Student Senate to increase African American enrollment at the University. Saturday's ceremonies at 303 Melrose Ave., served both as an open house, and a re-dedication to the center's role of supporting African-American students. 
   " If these walls could talk," Diane Hightower said to the audience, " they would speak of visits by Spike Lee, Yolanda King, and African-American theater troupes; of laughter, sweat and tears; of many students who gathered at the house. 
  " This center has certainly changed some people, ad the people have changed the center," said Hightower, assistant to the dean of the Graduate College. 
  When the cultural center was proposed, the Committee on Human Rights said it was to function as a social gathering spot, as well as a place for academic and personal assistance. 
   Living in a community where there aren't many African Americans required an adjustment for African American students, Willyerd Collier said. He is a past manager of the AACC and is currently EEO monitor with the Office of Affirmative Action. 
   " This place has been a real important support for people making that adjustment," Collier said. 
     When students of color come to the university, they often feel alientated, isolated, inside and outside of the classroom, Hightower said. The AACC is a community center, somewhere they can gather for social, recreational and educational events. 
  " You need a place where you can be who you are," Kesho Scott, professor of American Studies at Grinnell College, said. 
    Scott said when she received her doctorate in 1988, she was the only African American to do so at the graduation ceremony. She said she told university President Hunter Rawlings III then she felt both happy and sad - sad to be the only African American recieving a doctorate.
   It should never happen again, she said then. 
   And it hasn't, she added Saturday.

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[handwritten] 10/4/93 African-American center celebrates By Joanne Word The Press-Citizen The University of Iowa Afro-American Cultural Center was filled with former staff members, alumni, current students, faculty and friends Saturday to celebrate 25 years of history. The Afro-American Cultural Center was started in the fall of 1968 as part of a proposal to the UI Student Senate to increase African American enrollment at the University. Saturday's ceremonies at 303 Melrose Ave., served both as an open house, and a re-dedication to the center's role of supporting African-American students. " If these walls could talk," Diane Hightower said to the audience, " they would speak of visits by Spike Lee, Yolanda King, and African-American theater troupes; of laughter, sweat and tears; of many students who gathered at the house. " This center has certainly changed some people, ad the people have changed the center," said Hightower, assistant to the dean of the Graduate College. When the cultural center was proposed, the Committee on Human Rights said it was to function as a social gathering spot, as well as a place for academic and personal assistance. Living in a community where there aren't many African Americans required an adjustment for African American students, Willyerd Collier said. He is a past manager of the AACC and is currently EEO monitor with the Office of Affirmative Action. " This place has been a real important support for people making that adjustment," Collier said. When students of color come to the university, they often feel alientated, isolated, inside and outside of the classroom, Hightower said. The AACC is a community center, somewhere they can gather for social, recreational and educational events. " You need a place where you can be who you are," Kesho Scott, professor of American Studies at Grinnell College, said. Scott said when she received her doctorate in 1988, she was the only African American to do so at the graduation ceremony. She said she told university President Hunter Rawlings III then she felt both happy and sad - sad to be the only African American recieving a doctorate. It should never happen again, she said then. And it hasn't, she added Saturday.