Black History Month Celebrated

In celebration of Black History Month, the University’s New Jersey campuses have planned a variety of events including an exhibit, panel discussions, presentations, literary readings, film screenings, bus trips and a reception honoring black faculty and staff.

College at Florham

An exhibit of African-American photographs and a sampling of books by African-American writers and photographers, are on display at the Orangerie, College at Florham Library, until Friday, March 6. These photographs, which were printed from a group of glass negatives, were found in the studio of a Philadelphia artist by Carol Wald (1935–2001), a New York-based artist and graphic designer. The books, all of which are first printings, are drawn from the library’s noncirculating collections of works by African-American authors and photographers. Library hours are Monday to Thursday, 8:30 a.m.–11 p.m.; Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.; and Sunday, 2–10 p.m. For information call 973-443-8516.

A panel discussion on African-American health issues will be held on Thursday, February 19, 4:30 p.m., in Lenfell Hall, Hennessy Hall. Robert Fechtner, ophthalmology and director, glaucoma division, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, and Tonya Joyner, research scientist, Office of Minority and Multicultural Health, New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, will discuss specific health issues that affect the African-American community, such as diabetes, hypertension, glaucoma and cancer. The issue of health disparities will also be covered. The event is sponsored by the Maxwell Becton College of Arts and Sciences. Registration is necessary. For registration and information call 973-443-8750 or e-mail mmcmahon@fdu.edu.

On Tuesday, February 24, a literary reading by Jeffrey Allen, poet, novelist and critic, will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Bottle Hill Room in the Student Center. The campus’s African-American literature and creative writing students will also read their works and those of others. For information e-mail Katie Singer, college writing (Flor), at ksinger@fdu.edu.

A film screening of “Burn,” will be held at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, February 25, at the Twombly Lounge, Twombly Residence Halls. The film, which stars Marlon Brando, is about a professional mercenary who instigates a slave revolt on the Caribbean island of Queimada to help improve the British sugar trade. The screening, which will be followed by a discussion, is open only to the FDU community. The event is sponsored by the Maxwell Becton College of Arts and Sciences. For information call 973-443-8750.

Other Black History Month events at the College at Florham included: a gala and dinner titled “Reflections of the Past — Focus on the Future,” which featured jazz pianist Aaron Diehl; a reading by alumna Chineesa “Chee” Gates, BA’03 (Flor), features writer/editor, Meredith; performances by the FDU Melodies of Heaven Choir; a Hot Topics discussion titled “The Black Church in America: Fools or Freedom Fighters”; and a panel discussion with Dominic Carter, author of No Momma’s Boy: How I Let Go of My Past and Embraced My Future with panelists Anthony Tasso, psychology (Flor); and graduate students Ayeisha Robinson and Melanie Gibbons.

The events are organized by the Black History Month Committee, which is chaired by Monifa Brinson-Mulraine, sociology (Flor). Other members are Howard Libov, film/animation and assistant dean, Becton College; Patricia Melloy, cell biology; Katie Singer, college writing; Anthony Tasso, psychology; and Alexey Teslja, chemistry (all Flor). Sponsors include the Black History Month Committee, Dean of Students Office, Maxwell Becton College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Office and student life.

Metropolitan Campus

The Office of Alumni Relations is hosting “Network, Learn, Change and Grow,” a networking event with successful black alumni and members of the FDU Black Alumni Chapter on Tuesday, February 17, 8:30 p.m., in the Rutherford Room of the Student Union Building, Metropolitan Campus. Registration is necessary. To register call 201-692-7013 or e-mail blackalumnichapter@fdu.edu.

On Wednesday, February 18, a reception honoring black faculty and staff will be held in the Rutherford Room of the Student Union Building. For information about the event, which is by invitation only, call 201-692-2231.

A trip to Amy Ruth’s, a soul-food restaurant in Harlem, N.Y.C., is planned for Thursday, February 26. The bus leaves the Student Union Building Circle at 6 p.m. Those interested can sign up at the Information Booth at the Student Union Building. The bus ride is free but the cost of dinner is attendee’s responsibility. For information call 201-692-2231.

Black History Month festivities on campus were kicked off with an opening ceremony featuring a presentation by William Rhoden, award-winning New York Times columnist, titled “From the Locker Room to the Classroom: Lessons in Teamwork and Leadership.” The campus community also enjoyed trips to the Studio Museum in Harlem, N.Y.C; and to the Apollo Theater in New York City.

The Metropolitan Campus events are sponsored by the Multicultural Council, the Student Programming Board and the Black History Month Committee, student life, athletics, the Inspirational Gospel Ensemble and the Student Athletic Advisory Committee.