Students and members of Black Student Union met in the Memorial Union yesterday to address questions and debunk stereotypes about African Americans as BSU hosted their annual “Ask A Black Person” event.
“It is basically a time for students to come and ask questions that they wouldn’t normally ask someone,” said Chastity Wadley, junior marketing major and publicity chair for BSU. “It’s supposed to be anonymous. It’s a time for people to come together and get to know more about the African Americans in a laid back way.”
Wadley said that BSU set out a table to collect questions from students that would then be read and discussed at the event. The point was to ensure that no one would be embarrassed or shy to ask a question.
“There (was) be a chance for people to add their own input, so it’s not just from an African American standpoint, but also from different viewpoints as well,” said Taylor Bullock, senior sociology major.
Bullock said that in past years they have gotten questions asking why black males are more athletic than other athletes, if there really an issue between lighter and darker skinned individuals, as well as questions about the differences with black women’s hair.
“I think BSU’s goal is to answer those wandering questions that people have and to get people to understand more about African Americans, so they don’t feel afraid to come up to somebody and have a conversation with them,” Wadley said. “Also to create diversity so that everyone knows about everybody.”
Bullock said BSU hoped to educate others about the African American community.
“We all may look the same, but everyone has different issues,” Bullock said. “I am from the suburbs, middle class, so what I go through in life as an African American may not be the same as our president of BSU, who is from Dallas, Texas.”
Erin Bleich, sophomore secondary education major, said that she thinks “Ask A Black Person” is a good idea.
“We build up stereotypes in our heads about people, and then we don’t really ask to see if it is true or not, so we really don’t have any idea,” Bleich said.
BSU hosts several events throughout the semester. Their next event is “Karaoke Live” from 7-10 p.m. on Feb. 28 in Albert Taylor Hall.
EAST CENTRAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE HALL OF FAME, ADDITIONAL AWARD WINNERS RECOGNIZED
US Fed News Service, Including US State News May 6, 2008 East Central Community College issued the following news release: see here east central community college
Recipients of Hall of Fame and other honors were recognized during the annual Awards Day program held May 1, 2008, at East Central Community College in Decatur.
Selection to the Hall of Fame is considered the highest honor a student can receive at the College, according to Dr. Phil A. Sutphin, ECCC president, who presented the awards.
“To be considered for the prestigious honor,” Dr. Sutphin said, “students must demonstrate exemplary character, superior scholarship, worthy leadership and contribute to the betterment of East Central Community College.” Hall of Fame inductees for 2007-08 include Beth Alexander of Little Rock, Dru Anderson of Decatur, Noah Cook, Ashley Henley and Jonathan Jackson, all of Hickory; and Julie Gaines of Philadelphia.
Alexander, a home-schooled student, is the daughter of George and Cindy Alexander of Little Rock.
A Dean’s List scholar, she serves as president of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society of the two-year college, secretary of the president’s council and was selected for Who’s Who Among Students in American Community Colleges.
She was selected for the 2008 Phi Theta Kappa All-USA Academic Third Team for Community and Junior Colleges, the 2008 All-Mississippi Academic First Team and was named a New Century Scholar for achieving the highest score among Mississippi students in the All-USA Academic Team compeitiion.
In addition, she is a member of The Tom Tom newspaper staff, ECCC Players, EC Environmental Club, Baptist Student Union, concert choir, Warrior Corps and the Scholars Bowl team.
She received the EC Players and the Scholars’s Bowl awards.
Those nominating Alexander wrote, “She is a great student that has been very involved in campus activities during her time at ECCC.” Anderson, a graduate of Newton County High School, is the daughter of Max and Pat Anderson of Decatur.
A President’s List Scholar, she serves as president of the Student Body Association, co-president of the Warrior Corps student recruiting organization, and was vice president of her freshman class.
She was selected a freshman homecoming maid and was elected the 2007 Homecoming Queen.
In addition, she is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the cheerleading squad, Lady Warrior tennis team, Ac’cents show choir, Baptist Student Union, Wesley Foundation and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Those nominating her wrote, “Dru is a student that is very involved in campus organizations, respected by all her peers and has maintained a great GPA. She is a young lady that has it all, but I’ve never seen any sign of an ego.” A Newton County High School graduate, Cook is the son of Sidney and Stacy Cook of Hickory.
A President’s and Dean’s List scholar, he serves as vice president of Alpha Alpha Epsilon engineering club and was selected for Who’s Who Among Students in American Community Colleges.
In addition, he is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the cheerleading squad, Baptist Student Union, concert choir, chamber choir, the Collegians, Warrior soccer team, tennis team and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
He was selected Most Improved on the cheerleading squad and received the Hustle Award for men’s soccer.
Those nominating Cook wrote, “He is a very outgoing student who always has a smile on his face. He is very creative and always strives to reach his potential.” Henley, a home-schooled student, is the daughter of Ken and Kim Henley of Hickory.
A President’s List Scholar, she serves as vice president for scholarship for Phi Theta Kappa, was selected a Coca-Cola Scholar and was named to Who’s Who Among American Community College Students.
In addition, she is a member of Students in Free Enterprise, Baptist Student Union, Wesley Foundation, EC Environmental Club, Scholars Bowl, Diamond Darlings, EC Players and the Lady Warrior tennis team.
Those nominating her wrote, “She is a student with an outstanding academic record as well as an active participant in numerous campus organizations.” Jackson, a graduate of Newton County High School, is the son of Rita Jackson of Hickory.
A President’s and Dean’s List scholar, he was selected for the Phi Theta Kappa All-Mississippi Academic Second Team and serves as membership co-chair for Theta Xi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa. He was selected for the Mississippi Community College All-State Band and was named to Who’s Who Among Students In American Community Colleges.
In addition, he is a member of the Wall O’ Sound Marching Band, concert band, Mu Alpha Theta, Sigma Sigma Mu Tau, Warrior Corps and Wesley Foundation.
Those nominating Jackson wrote, “He is a very humble individual who has maintained a very high GPA while being involved in campus activities. He does everything he attempts to do to the best of his abilities.” Gaines, a Neshoba Central graduate, is the daughter of Keith and Rita Gains of Philadelphia. here east central community college
A President’s and Dean’s List Scholar, she serves as secretary of the Student Body Association and was president of her freshman class. She was also named to Who’s Who Among Students in American Community CollegesIn addition, she is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, Baptist Student Union, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Warrior Corps, Lady Warrior tennis team, Sigma Sigma Mu Tau and the Tom Tom newspaper staff.
Those nominating her wrote, “She is a superb student that is highly motivated, very involved in school activities, extremely conscientious, academically talented and very deserving of this honor.” Additional honors presented during Awards Day include the following:
Vocational award recipients include Mindy Parker of Decatur, cabinetmaking; Kendrick Nichols of Carthage, carpentry; Courtney Stingley of Forest, cosmetology; and Kyle Keady of Union, welding and cutting and “Career Student of the Year.” Technical awards were presented to Jaimie Brown of Meridian and Travis Jordan of Pelahatchie, collision repair; Justin Vernon of Louisville, automotive; Lillie Wash of Newton, early childhood education; MacKenzie Kangas of Collinsville, computer; James Johnson of Madden, electrical; Kyle Wolfe of Lake, electronic; Joseph Downing of Philadelphia, heating and air conditioning; Angela Carter of Philadelphia, hotel/restaurant management; Justin Rushing of Union, machine shop; Austin Gamblin of Lena, network support; and Dollye Packer of Lake, “Technical Student of the Year.” Recipients of healthcare education awards included Ashley May of Conehatta, ADN Outstanding Achievement; Stacy Svihla of Philadelphia, “Healthcare Assistant Student of the Year;” Tanesha Barham of Philadelphia, practical nursing; and Jessica Ashley of Raleigh, paramedic.
Those receiving special awards were Brookes Mayes of Newton, citizenship and the ECCC Players award; Kylie Rigdon of Union, The Tom Tom award; Kyle Barrett of Decatur, concert choir; Amber Griffin of Carthage and Rashan Jackson of Newton, Gospel Choir; Annie Strohm of Morton, East Central Environmental Club; Whitnee White of Philadelphia, Richard Fisher Organic Chemistry Award; Megan Munn of Decatur, Kappa Kappa Iota, Alyne Simmons Recruitment Grant and Lucille Wood Scholarship; Robin McBeath of Union and Annie Strohm of Morton, freshman mathematics; Daniel Johnson of Union, freshman mathematics and S. Lebrun Hutchison Engineering Award; Alexandra Harris of Carthage, sophomore mathematics and secondary education; Tyler Walters of Forest, sophomore mathematics; Angela Pires of Philadelphia and Patricia Vasquez of Lena, Mississippi Community College Creative Writing Association award; Mallory Thompson-Young of Louisville, Myrtle R. Hutchison Elementary Education Award; Shaun Cooper of Decatur, Margaret Mosal Award for Leadership and Ann Burkes Phi Theta Kappa; Sabra Fortenberry and Tammy Plaisance, both of Union, Brooke Barrett of Sebastopol and Kimberly Hearn of Meridian, Mississippi Business Educators Association student awards;
McClain Mullins of Tupelo and Skye Tindall of Newton, Roy Pete Award for Soccer; Desmond Morales of Lake, Anthony Coleman Men’s Basketball Award; Robby Pierce of Lawrence, Alford J. Deaton Physics Award; and Dru Anderson of Decatur, Joseph Cieglo of Forest and Whitnee White of Philadelphia, Walter Arno Vincent Award for Academic Excellence in Athletics.
Alumni Memorial Awards were presented to Joshua Lafferty of Quitman, Billy Wayne Baucum Secondary Education; Dollye Packer of Lake, Ruth Carr-Vincent Award for Academic Excellence in Nontraditional Education; Sandra Whitman of Louisville, Opal McMullan Dickerson Elementary Education; Reagan Joyner of Philadelphia, Alatha Chaney English; Heath Street of Lake, W.A. Coursey, Jr., Engineering; Kim Foy of Philadelphia, Sara Carr Deaton Business Technology; Tyler Hansford of Union, Sue Yarbrough Fulgham Speech; Justin Boone of Louisville, William S. Giffin Men’s Intramural;
Bryan Davis of Newton and Queena Gage of Forest, Homer F. Hunter Award for Athletic Managers; Noah Cook of Hickory, Danny Ray Killens Engineering; Beth Alexander of Little Rock, Jack B. Mayo Phi Theta Kappa; Courtney Elkins of Lena, Dr. Edwin Miller Medical Services; Karl Robinson of Jackson, Howard Sessums Men’s Basketball; Tenesha Brown of Jackson, Earline Wood Women’s Basketball; Fredrick Lyons of Decatur, Andrew F. Webb Football; and Sidney Gutierrez of Chunky, Thomas W. Thrash Memorial.
Faculty Memorial Awards were presented to Candace Long of Union, J. Wallace Bedwell Business and Ruth Hull Wo-He-Lo yearbook; Britni Wright of Louisville, Ruth Hull Wo-He-Lo yearbook; Annie Strohm of Morton, Frank M. Cross Freshman Chemistry; Amber Eaves of Louisville, Aaron R. Davis Memorial; Aaron Mann of Carthage, Robert G. Fick Memorial; Daniel Johnson of Union, Shelby L. Harris Memorial; Jordan Clark of Decatur, Frankin Edwin and Nena Holt Leatherwood Biology Science; James D. Smith of Forest, J. Andy Miller Freshman Engineering;
Andy Ishee of Louin, O.L. Newell Drafting; Dollye Packer of Lake, Charles E. Pennington Business Technology; Shaun Cooper of Decatur, General William Patrick Wilson Academic and L.B. Simmons History; and Emily Thrash of Sebastopol, Leon Eubanks Kaljyc-Peers.
