6/2/98
ATHENS, Ohio -- More than 350 alumni are expected to return to the Athens campus Friday for a weekend of reflection, recognition, discussion and celebration at the 1998 Ohio University Black Alumni Reunion.
Dexter Bailey, the Office of Alumni Relations' assistant director for communications, said a soul food cookout, student variety show, presidential reception, riverside gospel concert and more await participants in events slated this Friday through Sunday (June 5-7).
The theme, "Holding onto our Heritage, Building for the Future," recognizes the university's rich African-American history and the challenges that lie ahead. This year marks the 170th anniversary of former slave John Newton Templeton's graduation from Ohio University in 1828. Templeton was the university's first African-American graduate and the nation's fourth.
At 1:30 p.m. Saturday in Grover Center, a panel comprised of four prominent African-American leaders will examine how the black community can meet its challenges in the near future. The discussion, titled "Issues for the New Millennium," will feature Leon Harris, co-anchor of Cable News Network's "Morning News" and a 1983 graduate of Ohio University; Kenneth Irby, an award-winning photojournalist and associate at the Poynter Institute for Media Studies in St. Petersburg, Fla.; Barbara Ross-Lee, dean of the Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine; and Sharon Pratt Kelley; community activist, educator and former mayor of Washington, D.C. The moderator will be Brian McIntyre, consumer reporter for WEWS-TV in Cleveland and a 1991 graduate.
The soul food cookout will take place on the banks of the Hocking River at 6 p.m. Friday, a student variety show at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, a president's reception and banquet beginning at 7 p.m. Saturday and a Gospel Voices of Faith concert along the river at 9 a.m. Sunday with a religious celebration to follow at 10.
Ohio University hosts the Black Alumni Reunion every three years to strengthen alumni-university relationships, Bailey said.
"The goal is to host Ohio University's African-American alumni during a weekend that provides opportunities for our alumni to interact with students, faculty and staff and to reconnect with the university," he said.
This year's reunion is sponsored in part by Follett's Bookstore, the Black Students Cultural Programming Board, the Office of the President, Milestone Marketing, the College of Health and Human Services, and the College of Communication's Telecommunications Center.