Lecture, Reflections, Fun, Food and Field Trips Top Agenda for Annual Celebration
Wilmington College’s annual observance of Black History Month will offer the campus community and general public numerous opportunities to gain greater knowledge and appreciation for the contributions of African Americans.
Activities commence Feb. 6 and 9 with two days of reflections by students that visited the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington DC in December. These are from noon to 12:50 p.m. in Pyle Center C&D. Persons, including members of the general public, can purchase their lunch in the adjacent Student Dining Hall.
Dr. Julius Bailey, lecturer and author, will present the Black History Month Lunch Lecture Feb. 13, from noon to 12:50 p.m., in Pyle Center C&D. Bailey, a Christian existentialist, teaches in the Department of Philosophy at Wittenberg University. He is a philosopher, cultural critic, social theorist and diversity lecturer. Persons, including members of the general public, can purchase their lunch in the adjacent Student Dining Hall.
On Feb. 15, WC will hold its first ever Soul Food Jam featuring cuisine prepared by members of the College community. Those wishing to prepare a dish for the event, which is from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in the McCoy Room of Kelly Center, should contact Chip Murdock, director of multicultural affairs, at (937) 481-2335. The general public is invited to attend and participate.
Students and other members of the campus community have an opportunity to visit the National Afro-American Museum & Cultural Center at Central State University and the National Underground Railroad Museum and Freedom Center in Cincinnati Feb. 18. Those interested should contact Murdock.
Black Student Initiative (BSI) will present the film, Race, Feb. 22, at 7:30 p.m., in the McCoy Room, followed by WC’s Hip Hop Showcase Feb. 24, at 8 p.m., in the Top of Pyle Center. These events are open to the public.
BSI’s always popular African Village program featuring music, dance, readings and often thought-provoking speakers will be Feb. 28, at 7:30 p.m., in the Top of Pyle Center. This event is open to the public.
This year’s Black History Month will exceed the monthly boundary of February with two bonus activities for the campus community in early March.
Based on the enthusiastic response from an appreciative audience when Dayton Contemporary Dance Company (DCDC) visited WC this fall, students, faculty and staff have an opportunity to see the company perform March 5, at 4 p.m., at Dayton’s Victoria Theatre. The program, “Vantage Points,” features three dances on the theme of triumph over persecution.
Finally, students have an opportunity to spend Spring Break, March 10 through 14, on a Southern Civil Rights Tour with visits to historic sites in Memphis, Selma and Birmingham.
