Out of a desire to address the concerns of African American students at the University of Georgia of University of Georgia, representatives from the Presidential Minority Advisory Committee: Maurice Daniels, Bryndis Roberts, Louise Tomlinson, Norman Harris, Kathryn Davis and staff member Vanessa Williams Smith and two representatives from the Black Affairs Council; Charlita Stephens Walker and Benjamin Roundtree met with then President Charles Knapp to establish the African American Cultural Center. However, with the aid and support of Dr. Dwight Douglas, then Vice-President of Student of Affairs, the Department of Minority Services and Programs was formed with as one of its main goals to open the African American Cultural Center.
The mission statement: to enhance the University’s environment by promoting student leadership and academic achievement, to celebrate the contribution and heritage of UGA’s diverse population and to encourage the full participation of African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, Faculty, Staff and students in campus life, demonstrated the commitment it would have to the University of Georgia and the community.
Click on the "Comment" link below to post your thoughts!!!
posted by celebratemsp | 9:30 PM
3 Comments:
Wow! I'm glad to see that the MSP blog is active. I'll check back frequently.
Glad to see MSP is doing so well. MSP was a home away from home when I transferred to UGA. It was there I met some of the most wonderful people and did things I could only imagine. I hope they continue to inspire and encourage the next generation.
My Reflection:
College is intimidating for even the most confident high school graduate. MSP, the staff, the students, the organizations helped make my experience at UGA welcoming and an easy transition during the first major life transition.
I have wonderful memories of the 4th Floor Memorial Hall, from the shy freshmen looking for a sofa to share the life's dreams that brought me to college, to the confident senior graduating yet humbly realizing this was the 'home base' of UGA years.
I am eternally grateful to UGA for creating this space, it's more than a budgetary item, more than a department within a division, it's more than doors with laughter and cultural activities heard in the distance.
For those who lived it, who grew from it, who tried and succeeded, failed, reached-out on college-age faith, tried to hard, walked head-high, cut across this gigantic campus drenched in the rains of frustration, looked for familiar faces even within familiar faces, found a friend, failed at finding a friend,...
there was one place where who you were, what you dreamed, what was said, what was believed, what was hoped for, what was never achieved,...
there was one place where none of this mattered, where arms were opened and inspiration was encouraged ... this was MSP,
Thank you again,
Sincerely,
Mark Anthony Thomas
UGA 01'
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