by Cathy Gastelum
Staff Writer
In the month of February, African-American history is celebrated throughout the nation. The University of La Verne has also created a variety of events to take part in the celebration.
Alexis Scott, director of cross-cultural programs and service, and other members of the ULV faculty have put together 10 events for the celebration of African American history. The first event took place on Sunday, Feb. 4, was a welcome back social for the students who took January interterm off, with the introduction to African History Month. The second event took place on Feb. 5, and was Snap Snap Poets, activity of spoken poetry, as well as singing musicians and dancers. On Feb. 7, Dr. J. Spectar, professor of the University of La Verne College of Law presented “Legal Issues and People of Color.”
“Dr. J. Spectar did a dialog on people of color and the law, and he talked about issues that are not only happening here but everywhere in the country and around the world,” said Scott.
The Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity spoke to ULV students about its organization Feb. 9. “This Fraternity is one of the nine African-American Greek organizations for which there isn’t any in ULV,” said Scott. If Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity own its own chapter at ULV it will be the first African American Greek organization in the history of ULV. There will be another Greek event on Feb. 22, the National Panhellenic Council Fraternity and Sorority mixer. This is the group that head of the nine black fraternity and sorority national organization, which will get together at ULV. There were several fun night events for students this week with another one tonight. Th events included Roller skating at the Skate Junction in West Covina and a dance at Cal Poly Pomona
Scott said that “this month it not only fun,” on Feb. 21 and 26 there will be educational workshops. On Feb. 21 Catherine Henley-Erickson will help students learn how to improve their writing skills and work out any writing problems that student have. On Monday, Feb. 26 the last event will take place in the Career Development Center. This event is intended for the students to come and talk to a real professional in their vocation students can have more information about their career and really decide if it is what they really desire to pursue.
Several students at ULV were not aware about the celebration of African-American History Month. Daniel Aviles was one of them.
“As an international student, I would like to know what it’s all about, so I can give a better opinion,” he said.
Marcy Garcia, ISO adviser and international student adviser, said, “I think it is a wonderful idea to celebrate Black History Month but our students need to know more about why we celebrate it. We need more ULV Black students and faculty getting involved too. So many don’t know their own history.”
Dayita Datta a sophomore said, “It is really great to have Black cultural festival. Because it will aware people about African American history. I saw some celebrations going on at the post office.”
Many other students thought African-American History Month was a great idea so that students could become aware about it and enjoy it but at the same time honor Black History for being a great example to our society and making a difference on our freedom and civil rights. Many students expressed their interest in Black History Month and that they did not hear about the events going on at ULV, but many became they aware after listening to KULV public service announcements they would have liked it better if the ULV would have had more people involved in the celebration to get the whole University aware about the events and involved.
Journalism operations manager at the University of La Verne. Production manager and business manager of the Campus Times.