Black American Studies acknowledges McLean, Davis-Robinson, Ware
James M. Jones, left, director of Black American Studies, congratulates UD junior Shakir McLean, recipient of the 2010 James E. Newton Student Award.
James M. Jones, left, presents Cheryl A. Davis-Robinson the Ujima Award.
James M. Jones, left, presents Leland Ware the Ubuntu Award.

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8:47 a.m., June 14, 2010----During its 2010 Convocation, the Department of Black American Studies at the University of Delaware presented awards to three members of the University community.

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The James E. Newton Student Award was given to junior Shakir McLean for his outstanding academic and community accomplishments. McLean is pursuing dual degrees in Black American studies and chemistry, and has a 3.81 grade point average. He is a coordinator for the Network for Undergraduate Collaborative Learning Experience for Underrepresented Scholars (NUCLEUS), and is the president of the Xi Omicron chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.

The James E. Newton Award is given annually to a BAMS major or minor who exhibits the qualities of excellence in community service and scholastic achievement embodied by its namesake, UD Professor Emeritus James E. Newton.

The other awardees are distinguished individuals in their own right. The Ujima Award was given to College of Arts and Sciences adviser Cheryl A. Davis-Robinson for her extended work with underrepresented students in the UD academic community, and in particular for her advisement of BAMS majors. Ujima is one of the seven principles of Kwaanza and represents “collective work and responsibility” within the spectrum of humankind.

The Ubuntu Award was given to Leland B. Ware, Louis L. Redding Professor of Law and Public Policy, for his innovative work in helping to establish the Redding House, childhood home of legal scholar Louis L. Redding, as a museum and a space for community activities in Wilmington.

Ware was also acknowledged for his efforts to build ongoing and productive relationships between the UD campus and African American communities in the greater Newark and Wilmington areas, and for his service and scholarly contributions to Black American Studies. Ubuntu is an aged-old African term for humaneness -- for caring, sharing, and being in harmony with all creation. As an ideal, it promotes cooperation between individuals, cultures and nations.

Article by Carol E. Henderson, Michael Yancey and James M. Jones
Photos by Kevin Quinlan

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