Listed on the left are the articles in the newsletter.  Click on the article of interest or simply scroll down.

Diversity Council Executive Committee

This year we celebrate the founding of the North Carolina State Student Diversity Council (NCSSDC). The NCSSDC acts as a student extension of the Office for Diversity and African American Affairs (ODAAA). The council serves as a catalyst for student engagement through enabling the University's diverse student groups to effectively foster cross-cultural communication, advance the educational and cultural philosophical principles of inclusiveness and advocacy, and to collaboratively engender mutual respect for all groups.

The NCSSDC consists of representatives from various student organizations on campus. The representatives help to cultivate a better understanding of diversity among the student body through programs and open dialogues. During the 2005-2006 academic year the NCSSDC worked diligently to promote interaction and collaboration among student groups to build a more inclusive university environment. At the beginning of the fall semester, newly appointed Chair, Sarah Kim, introduced the NCSSDC to students, faculty, and administration during a Kick-Off celebration. Provost Larry Nielsen, Vice Provost Jose Picart, and Assistant Vice Provost Karrie Dixon were in attendance to present the charge and vision to the campus community. In October, the NCSSDC, along with Compassion in Action, sponsored a Candlelight Vigil for International Relief after hurricane Katrina shattered New Orleans. The guest speaker for the event was Mr. Barry Porter, Executive Director of the Wake County Chapter of the American Red Cross.

With interaction and collaboration as the core of the mission for the NCSSDC, this year they established "Think Tanks" to encourage conversations on cultural awareness, cultural events, and service projects. These discussions lead to a cinema discussion on the movie Crash. The NCSSDC also co-sponsored a "Dialogue on Diversity: Town Hall Meeting on Religion" for the campus community with ODAAA and Student Senate Diversity Commission. In March, the Union Activities Board (UAB) Diversity committee co-sponsored "The 2nd Annual Taste of NC State Day" with NCSSDC. The UAB Diversity Committee planned this event in any effort to expose students to the different flavors of diversity on NC State's campus. Students enjoyed free international and cultural food, cultural performances by different student organizations, and an organization information fair.

In April, the NCSSDC ended the academic year with an Inaugural NCSSDC End of the Year Banquet. The banquet highlighted the accomplishments of the NCSSDC as well as recognized the students, faculty, and staff who went the extra mile in celebrating and embracing diversity on campus. The NCSSDC solicited support through nominations from the campus community in identifying individuals who should be recognized and awarded for their efforts.
The recipients of the awards are as follows:
2006 Diversity Award (Student) - John Vance
2006 Diversity Award (Student Organization) - Muslim Student Association
2006 Diversity Award (Staff) - Beverly Williams, Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO)
2006 Diversity Award (Faculty) - Dr. Brenda Alston-Mills, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS)
2006 Diversity Award (Administrator) - Dr. Daniel Solomon, Dean of the College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences (PAMS)

The NCSSDC anticipates great things ahead. The council is growing and the entire campus community is embracing its vision.
2005-2006
North Carolina State Student Diversity Council (NCSSDC)
Executive Board
- Dr. Karrie Dixon, the Assistant Vice Provost for Student Diversity served as the primary advisor
- Jessica Tiller, Residence Director for University Housing served as the secondary advisor
- Sarah Kim, Chair
- Yasmin Sadiq, Vice Chair
- James Burroughs, III, Public Relations
- Justine Kraus, Publicity
- Katherine Harris, Secretary
- Fahad Rahman, Event Coordinator

The African American Cultural Center had a full year, sponsoring, co-sponsoring, and supporting a large number of initiatives, including those led by student organizations.  Some activities have become traditional ones, but several new programs and programmatic ideas were a part of this year, including preparation to meet the University charge of it becoming more academic.  The structure itself was modified, and more changes are in the offing. Finally, the AACC worked synergistically with the Association for Black Culture Centers, a national organization now headquartered at North Carolina State University. The following is a brief summary of our programs and key joint efforts.

The AACC theme for its major programs was African American Roots in Social Movements. Hip-hop culture, education, the Civil Rights Movement, and sports were the primary areas explored where a special speaker was brought in to lead the discussions. Our guests this year were Joan Morgan and Bakari Kitwana, Dr. Heather Williams of the University of North Carolina, Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon, and Dr. Dana Brooks of West Virginia University.  All lectures were well attended, and the Heritage Society, advised by Program Coordinator, Ms. Toni Thorpe, provided introductions to the speakers, performed on the program, and served as ushers. In addition, the National Read-In was a successful event sponsored by the AACC; this year, the fiction of Terri McMillan was given attention. The several Book Clubs during the year, planned by the AACC Librarian, Sandra Dunn, and the Program Coordinator were related activities that went well; one of them was led by Vice-Provost of Equal Opportunity, Joanne Woodard. Finally, the AACC Gallery featured local talent and the Smithsonian traveling exhibit titled, "Creativity and Resistance: Maroon Culture in the Americas."  Starcha Cook, Graduate Assistant for the Association for Black Culture Centers, researched the history of different groups of Maroons, and added a display of materials-including a slideshow presentation that was projected off the wall-to support the exhibit. Chima Emekauwa, AACC Facilities Coordinator, worked with Cook on this project.

Major programs were also co-sponsored with the Office of the Provost, Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, and student organizations. The AACC was authorized by Dr. Jose Picart, Vice Provost of Diversity and African American Affairs, to take the lead in the co-sponsored Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. annual event; this year, Naomi Tutu was the featured speaker.  The AACC and the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs worked together on several projects. We supported Dr. Tracey Ray and her staff in the summer symposia for incoming Black students. We supported the Kwanzaa celebration and the provocative Emmett Till documentary; and we supported the highly successful Ebony Harlem Awards.  Although the AACC supported activities of several student organizations, the Heritage Society's Heritage Day and SAAC's Pan-Afrikan Week ranked among the most significant. We also supported the major program of the NAACP, as well as the special commemorations of the recently deceased Mrs. Rosa Parks and Mrs. Coretta Scott King.  Finally, the AACC was a part of the traditional Brotherhood Dinner, sponsored by the Office for Diversity and African American Affairs.

Other key AACC joint efforts were with D.H. Hill Library, the Athletic Department, Africana Studies, Wake Tech Community College and Duke University's Mary Lou Williams Black Culture Center. (The work with the national Association for Black Culture Centers is described in a separate report in the newsletter.)  The several contacts with the main Library included meetings with top administrators and ongoing exchanges with Rob Rucker regarding increasing the synergy between D. H. Hill Library and the AACC Library, as well as planning for Graduate Assistants in our space with backgrounds in Library Science.  We also had several meetings over the year with Dr. Phil Moses of the Athletic Department and his staff related to student athlete retention.  Beginning with the Director's seven separate lectures to all first-year athletes and culminating in a co-sponsored major event on racism in university sports, the AACC is committed to improving the environment and retention of Black and other student athletes. On campus, the Director represented the AACC on the Africana Studies Program's Advisory Committee, headed by Dr. Craig Brookins, and he taught the Senior Seminar to the first Africana Studies majors at NCSU.  This direct connection with AFS should add to the AACC's academic credibility.  Off campus, the AACC connected with the Directors of the three other largest Black Culture Centers in the state: Duke University, the University of North Carolina, and East Carolina University.  We cooperated with graduate students at Duke to launch their Black History Month, and had two major exchanges with Wake Tech Community College.  The Director was invited to their campus, and later the AACC invited Wake Tech staff, headed by Dean Paul Norman, to meet here. Dr. Lawrence Clark led an all-day dialogue at the latter event.

Several AACC plans that will reach fruition soon are the completing of one-on-one exchanges with the Diversity Coordinators of all colleges, the revival of the AACC Advisory Council, the development of significant bibliographies, the groundwork for the fall student research program on Blacks in North Carolina, and the permanent tribute to Dr. Witherspoon, organized primarily by Dr. Orlando Hankins and Ms. Janet Howard.  Additionally, ABCC Graduate Assistant Akehia Cheek, served as point person for developing a Martin Luther King, Jr. grant for Black health; she was assisted by Charlene Simon and the Director.  Grant awards will be announced on May 15, 2006.  Finally, the AACC looks forward to consolidating projects with the Black Alumni Society, which is headed up by Mr. Marcus Belvin.

The AACC has produced two major publications: the newsletter and a new brochure. ABCC Graduate Assistant, Starcha Cook, organized both efforts, with support from Facilities Coordinator, Chima Emekauwa.  Another publication, The Nubian Message, was revived in January; it is housed in the AACC, and the Director is part of a collective advisory board, along with Dr. Tracey Ray.

Nine months ago, the Association for Black Culture Centers (ABCC) moved its national site from Knox College to NC State University. By any standard, the transition has been a propitious one. The AACC here, under the leadership of Dr. Iyailu Moses, ABCC Secretary, has been recognized nationally for more than ten years, and has made notable contributions to the ABCC. Thus, when the university indicated its interest in becoming the new ABCC headquarters, I had a formal exchange with our Board of Directors, and brought the other staff member, Administrative Assistant Terry Duffy and ABCC resources.  We have virtually completed rescinding our tax-exempt status in Illinois to become an integral part of NC State as an Institute or Center. There has even been preliminary discussion of creating a state culture center, which would highlight the contributions of African Americans to the state of North Carolina.

While Knox College served the ABCC well, sponsoring the inaugural national conference in 1989 and being its formal headquarters since 1994, the shift to this major research university has already increased the organization's visibility and provided it with a new level of resources. Those resources have already enabled me as Director of the AACC here to support student conference travel, student organization requests, and hire Graduate Assistants to assist with AACC aims and some needs of Africana Studies. In addition, the ABCC has been able to launch new national and international initiatives that will, at once, enhance the reputation of the local Center and the benefits the ABCC can deliver to its constituents. With the 16th national conference being held in Raleigh this November 2 - 4, conferees from around the country will be able to see both recent improvements in and additions to the AACC and the incredible level of student-organization involvement. Certainly, the university's decision to move the Center in a more academic direction should be evident by the time the conference is convened, and this emphasis should expedite the AACC becoming one of the early accredited Centers in the nation. 

Central to the aforementioned positive ferments have been Provost Larry Nielsen and Vice-Provost of Diversity and African American Affairs, Jose Picart. In fact, Dr. Picart serves on the ABCC Board and has taken the lead in bringing our projected international interactive database of Culture Centers to fruition.                                        

BFFP participants w/ Drs. Orlando and Gail Hankins

The Building Future Faculty Program was held on 03/16/06 to 03/19/06.  The purpose of this program is to aid the growth of university faculty from diverse ethnic and racial groups.  The program also aids the goal of NC State University in providing a diverse and friendly environment to its students, faculty, and staff.

This program provided presentations on the mechanics of succeeding as a faculty member of a research institution.  Also, attendees had an opportunity to interact with Deans and faculty in discussions concerning their academic work and career interests.  Attendees had an opportunity to share with faculty and department heads the departmental research agenda and to dialogue on future availability of faculty positions at NC State.

The selection criteria included:

- Individuals with the ability to contribute in meaningful ways to the university's continuing commitment to cultural and ethnic diversity
- Within one to two years of receiving terminal degree or in the last one to two years of a Post-Doc position
- Desire an academic teaching career at a research institution
- Desire to pursue independent research as a faculty member
- Demonstrate the potential to fill anticipated vacancies
- Availability during the programs dates

The program was organized and run by Dr. Orlando Hankins, Assistant Vice-Provost for Diversity Programs.  The program was advertised at a conference and through various list serves.   Ten applicants from around the country were accepted.

The program participants arrived on Thursday afternoon, March 16, 2006 and the program proceeded on Friday morning with presentations on teaching, research, and being a faculty member at NC State.The participants were met at lunch by either the department head or his representative, who paired off with the participant during lunch.  The departmental representative then took the participant back to the departments for following activities:  meeting with department head and college administrators; meetings with teaching and research faculty; and meetings with graduate students.  Participants and department heads were instructed to discuss:  research area compatibility and mentoring prospects; initial and future teaching responsibilities; initial and future service responsibilities; and the timetable for future faculty openings.

Following the departmental visits, the participants were brought to the African American Cultural Center for a reception with faculty and staff.  During that period, they met with the officers of several undergraduate African-American organizations in a question-and-answer session concerning university environment ending with an urgent plea from the students to come to NC State is possible.  The participants were then taken to dinner.

During the next day, the participants were taken on a tour of NC State University and of the City of Raleigh by Dr. Orlando Hankins and Dr. Gail Hankins, Assistant Dean for the College of Management.  The tours included all areas of campus and many potential housing areas for young professionals.  Also during this period, the participants were encouraged to ask questions concerning the university, the city, and future job and schooling prospects for spouses.  The participants were treated to dinner that night.  The participants left on Sunday morning.

The Student Success Programs (SSP) component within the Office for Diversity and African American Affairs, even with its recent name change from Programs to Enhance Preparedness (PEP), still strives to attain its mission: To provide supplemental instruction for pre-college middle and secondary school students and transitional instruction for first-year NCSU students, particularly those from under-represented groups in the sciences, engineering, teaching, mathematics, and technology.

Programs within this component include the NCSU Colonel 'Guy' Bluford Saturday Program for Academic and Cultural Education SPACE, the NC Legislative College Opportunity Program (L-COP), and the NCSU Freshman Advancement Seminar, USC (formerly MDS) 101D/102D.  These programs directly address the University's goals and its land-grant mission.  As a land-grant institution, NCSU is charged with the responsibility of serving its citizenry and transferring research-based knowledge from the laboratory and classroom to the citizens of our great state.  Additionally, the Student Success Programs speak to the goals of diversity, partnership formation, efficient management and technology learning infusion.

The programs within the SSP component provide a continuum of services and opportunities for students, especially those from under-represented groups in science, mathematics, technology and teaching, who begin their affiliation with NC State University as a SPACE middle school student. The supplemental instruction provided by SPACE is critical to closing the achievement gap in NC, particularly Wake and surrounding counties and to preparing students to succeed academically and socially in the rigorous NC State University environment. Several campus and external partnerships contribute to the success of SPACE; some of the partners have included the College of Natural Resources, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, more than twenty student organizations, i.e., the Association for the Concerns of African American Graduate Students (ACAAGS), CHASS-MAS, SAAC, and several community organizations. The next step on the continuum is an L-COP award for those who achieve and who matriculate. Upon enrollment at NCSU there is the USC (formerly MDS) 101D/102D transitional course that enhances their skills for successful advancement toward graduation.  Thus SSP services directly impact the numbers, quality and success of students from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds at NCSU.

To complement UNC system pre-college programs such as SPACE the NC General Assembly,  in 1992,  appropriated Legislative College Opportunity Program (L-COP) funding to the UNC colleges and universities.  Each constituent institution received $50,000 to exclusively award first-year grants of tuition, fees and books for students who completed pre-college programs.  This initial appropriation earned interest as the pre-college students engaged various enrichment experiences in preparation for their admission into one of our state's universities. The legislative charge included assistance to ensure successful completion of high school and smooth transition into a state-supported four-year college/university along with these grants.

NC State University made its first award in the 2000-2001 academic year.  NC State depleted its funding with its three 2006-2007 awards for a total of seventeen recipients and  $77,507 awarded.  Several of the awardees have graduated with honors, while the remaining students are progressing toward graduation with honors.  Awardees participated in the following NC State pre-college programs: Upward Bound (Student Affairs), SPACE (Provost Office), Imhotep (PAMS-Science House), MSEN (College of Education), Educational Talent Search (Student Affairs), and the Leadership Academy (College of Education).

Congratulations to the 2006-2007 awardees: Vanessa Marsh, East Wake HS,  Douglass McCullough, St. Stephens HS, Conover, NC, and Sergio Sanders, Apex HS.

Event though the future of this program is questionable, it has provided an excellent enrichment opportunity for its participants and increased equal access for many student.

Greg Williams presents a check to Provost Larry Nielsen

On 7 April 2005, the Office of the Vice Provost for Diversity and African American Affairs held its first gala fundraising dinner for Friends of Diversity @ NC State.  The dinner was held at the Tournament Players Club at Wakefield Plantation in Raleigh.

Over eighty friends of diversity (faculty, students, staff and members of the Raleigh and Durham community) gathered to raise funds for diversity programs at NC State.  Hosted by NC State Alumni Greg Williams, the dinner raised $12,000 and by all accounts everyone enjoyed themselves. 

Live performances by two NCSU alumni,  Joel Morales and Tania Jones, as well as two student performance groups, Soulfire and Grains of Time, provided the entertainment.  Dr. Daniel L. Solomon, Dean of the College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, both inspired and informed us with his keynote address on the importance of diversity in higher education.  Current NCSU student leaders, Nura Shadid and James Burroughs provided the opening and closing remarks. 

The OVPDAAA would like to give a special thanks to our event sponsors Progress Energy and Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc., for their generosity and continuing support of diversity at NC State University.

We look forward to this event again next year and I hope that all of you will be able to join us!

Edward Carson and Irwin R. Holmes Jr., recipients of the Elwood and Diane Becton Distinguished Alumni Award

In it's 27th year, the Black Alumni Society of North Carolina State University has continued to foster opportunities for African American alumni, students, faculty, staff and university friends to proactively enrich NC State.  This year, the Black Alumni Society has held social functions to increase communication between alumni and student participants, creating awareness of the Black Alumni Society and engaging participants in alumni networking. 
This year also marks the second annual Black Alumni Conference.  Hosted by the Black Alumni Society, and built around the theme "Building a Future That Honors Our Past", the conference attracted alumni, students, faculty and staff from around the nation.  Participants gathered at University Club on April 8, 2006 to discuss the advancements of N.C. State and receive presentations from Dr. Karrie Dixon, Assistant Vice Provost for Student Diversity, Dr. Fred Hord, Director of the African American Cultural Center, Louis Hunt, Vice President of Enrollment Management and a host of others.

The Alumni dinner was held at the Brownstone Hotel and featured Guy Marshall, Creative Director of the Frye, Co., as the keynote speaker.  The four black alumni credited with integrating the university in 1956  (Walter Holmes, Irwin Holmes Jr., Manuel Crockett Jr., and Edward Carson) were honored at the dinner and received the Elwood and Diane Becton Distinguished Alumni Award.  In attendance were Edward Carson and Irwin Holmes Jr., former N.C. State athletes who were also the first black athletes in the ACC.

During the three-day conference, the Black Alumni Society hosted a social that gathered a wide range of alumni from the early 1970's to recent graduates.  The conference was held during Pan Afrikan week, hosted by the Black Students Board, which also attracted numerous alumni.  The conference committee was headed by John Chapman.  The third annual conference committee will be led by Faith Pearl Leach.  Visit http://www.marbelinc.com/bas/ for more information about the Black Alumni Society and the Black Alumni Conference.

Dr. Augustus M. Witherspoon was a mentor and role model for many students, faculty, and staff during his tenure at NC State University.  Because of his activities at the university as well as in the community, the church, and multiple organizations, he has the distinct honor of being the first African American to have a building named after him at NC State University.  However, many of the new and current students at the university know very little about him other than his name.  The ODAAA and the African American Cultural Center hope to change that by preparing a permanent memorial to him in the Gallery of the African American Cultural Center, which is located in the Witherspoon Student Center.  This memorial will included some memoriabilia, pictures, and a running video commemorating his life.  This is being prepared under the direction of Orlando Hankins and Janet Howard, with the cooperation of Fred Hord, Director of the African American Cultural Center.

If you have memorabilia (pictures, programs, etc.) that you wish to share, video excerpts from programs that he participated in, or if you would like to express in written form the stories and experiences that you had with Dr. Witherspoon, please forward the information to:

Dr. Orlando E. Hankins
NC State University
207 Holladay Hall
Box 7527
Raleigh, NC  27695-7527
(919)515-8095
orlando_hankins@ncsu.edu