UpDate - Vol. 15, No. 23, Page 4
March 7, 1996
Center for Black Culture to mark 20th anniversary

     The University's Center for Black Culture will celebrate its 20th
anniversary in April with a variety of events, as part of the annual
Black Arts Festival.
     The center is looking for photos, slides, videos and posters that
reflect its 20 years of programming and history. Alumni are being
asked to send such material to the center, with a return address
attached.
     The center opened at 192 South College Ave. on the Newark campus
in 1976. Originally called the Minority Center, its purpose was to aid
minority students in their academic, cultural and interpersonal
development. In 1985, minority student center staff and students took
steps to rename the facility the Center for Black Culture.
     Today, the busy center remains committed to fostering academic
and cultural excellence by providing services for African-American
students and the surrounding community.
     "The history of African-American students at the University of
Delaware parallels the settling of the U.S. western territories,"
center director Vernese Edghill, Delaware '92M, said. "The students of
the 1950s were the brave, adventuresome trailblazers, clearing the way
for others to follow. The students of the 1960s were the pioneers,
bravely fighting for territory to establish their community. The
students of the 1970s settled the territory, identifying community
needs and developing strategies for satisfying them.
     "These three decades of African-American students [whose
accomplishments will be celebrated during the anniversary] paved the
way for the existence of many of the opportunities that today's
African-American students take for granted," she said.
     Special events planned in conjunction with the celebration
include an art show and panel discussion on "The Value of African-
American Art in Our Community," scheduled from 5-8 p.m., Wednesday,
April 10, in Clayton Hall. Admission is free.
     A concert, with a guest artist yet to be announced, is planned
for Friday, April 12, at the Bob Carpenter Center.
     On Saturday, April 13, the Black Alumni Organization will hold a
general meeting from 10:30-11:30 a.m. in the Rodney Room of the
Perkins Student Center.
     A luncheon celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Center for
Black Culture and marking the 15th annual luncheon meeting of the
Black Alumni Organization will feature a guest speaker, and is
scheduled from noon to 2 p.m. in Clayton Hall. Cost is $15. A
postanniversary luncheon reception is planned at the center
immediately afterward.
     Also planned for April 13 is the annual Richard Wilson Step Show,
scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. in the Bob Carpenter Center. The show
will be followed by the traditional postshow party, planned from
midnight to 4 a.m. in the Carpenter Sports Building. Costs for the
evening are $8 in advance for the show, $10 for the show at the door
and $12 for combination admission to the show and party. Cost of the
party only is $5 at the door.
     The celebration continues on Sunday, April 14, with the annual
Gospelrama, featuring the University of Delaware Gospel Choir and
James Hall Worship & Praise of New York. The concert begins at 6 p.m.
in Mitchell Hall. In advance, tickets will be $8 for the general
public and $5 for students. At the door, all tickets will be $10.
     Other events planned for the Black Arts Festival include the
annual Variety Show, scheduled for 7:30 p.m., Friday, April 19, in
Pearson Hall. Cost is $3 in advance and $4 at the door. Also being
planned is a Black Student Theatre fashion show for Sunday, April 28.
     For more information on any of the events, call UD1-HENS or the
Center for Black Culture at 831-2991.
     The 20th anniversary celebration and Black Arts Festival is
sponsored by the Center for Black Culture, in cooperation with the
Black Alumni Organization, the Cultural Programming Advisory Board and
the National Panhellenic Council.
     In addition to Edghill, members of the anniversary committee
include Seandra Sims, a senior journalism major, Cultural Programming
Advisory Board; Cheryl Truxon, Delaware '94, Blue Cross/Blue Shield;
Emma Amuti, development office and a master's degree student at UD;
Oliver Parker, Delaware '73, Blue Cross/Blue Shield and president of
the Black Alumni Organization; Wayne Crosse, Delaware '75, city of
Wilmington; Janice Jordan, Delaware '75, student development; Nina P.
Harris, Delaware '87 and '92M, publications; Gwen T.S. Anderson,
Delaware '86, Delaware Department of Health and Social Services; Neysa
Gaines-Smith, Delaware '76, Christina School District; and Anquinette
Quin Delaney, longtime supporter of the center.
                                                          -Beth Thomas