The Ebony Tower
Title
The Ebony Tower
Subject
Black Student Union
Description
A pamphlet for BSU graduates in 1977.
Creator
Black Student Union
Source
Special Collections, FHG Library, West Chester University
Publisher
Black Student Union
Date
1977
Contributor
Angela Grabosky
Format
Scan of paper
Language
English
Type
Pamphlet
Text
BLACK STUDENT UNION
WEST CHESTER STATE COLLEGE
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
THE EBONY TOWER
EDITORIAL
Good-bye West Chester State College. Goodbye faculty, staff and students. Last, but certainly not least of all, good-bye Black Student Union. No, I'm not graduating; I'm transferring to Temple University. I'm leaving to take advantage of all the opportunities Temple offers a young, ambitious, black female Accounting major. After securing my degree at Temple and my certificate in the field of accounting (C.P.A.), I may continue my education in the field of corporate law. By now you may be able to see that Temple will better serve my needs than West Chester. This is no way degrading West Chester, but it is in no way degrading West Chester, but it is a personal opinion to which everyone is entitled. This I hope explains why I did not run for the presidency position of the Black Student Union. During my stay, I love it and I loathed it, and I would do it all over again: because I couldn't have done what I did without it!
I would like to wish the new Executive Board all the luck and success in the world. The entire board looks pretty strong; I think this should be a good year coming up for your B.S.U. --join in and lend a hand. To quote the words of a past BSU president... "The B.S.U. is only B.S. without U." Remember That.
Wanda Daniels
Editor - X-2902
1976
Blacks celebrate their Centennial 113 years of freedom
1965
Freedom March from Selma to Montgomery
1909
NAACP Founded
1900
First Black to graduate from West Chester St.
1870
Blacks were given the right to vote
1865
13th Amend. Abolished Slavery
1863
Lincoln signs Emancipation Proclamation
1492
First Slave Ship to America
May 9, 1977 Vol. 1 No. 3
Announcements
CONGRATULATIONS AND BEST WISHES TO THE NEW EXECUTIVE BOARD OF THE B.S.U.!!!!!
They are:
President, Renee Buillory
Vice President, Nate Gadsden
Treasurer, Wanda O’gilvie
Recording Secretary, Linda Thomas
Corresponding Secretary, Sylvia Tyler
Activities Chairperson, Jody Hill
Publications Chairperson, Dot Clark
BSU Rep to IGA, Alice Turner
Senior Class Rep, Naomi Shephard
Junior Class Rep, John Thomas
****************************************************************
May 9-13: Finals begin and end
14: Commencement; Julian Bond speaking
June 6: Pre-Session begins
27: Regular Session begins
Aug. 8: Post Session begins
****************************************************************
EBONY TOWER STAFF
Wanda Daniels………………...Editor
221 Ramsey
Dorothy Clark…………………..Asst. Editor
310 Schmidt
Wanda O’gilvie………………..Poetry Reporter
608 Tyson
Robert Reynolds……………...Reporter
409 Ramsey
Guest Reporters……………...Jody Hill
……………....Renee Musgrave
******************************************************************
What are you if you don’t know the word for what you are?
******************************************************************
All Three R.D.’s
In September 1977, there may be three less higher ranking blacks on west Chester’s campus. I am referring to the three black Resident Directors of Sanderson Hall, Nate Gadsden, McCarthy Hall, Alive Hunt, and Schmidt Hall, Hattie Foster. When this piece of information was brought to the surface, concerned students decided to investigate the matter to ask why, instead of assuming the worst. In interviewing the aforementioned resident directors, Nate and Alive responded on a personal level (non-campus related) as to why they were leaving. Realizing that neither of the two had secured jobs elsewhere, we felt impelled to seek out some type of explanation. Bot Nate and Alice have worked closely with the B.S.U. at one time or another and are always available to confer with. You can always rely on them whenever anything comes up. However, since the majority of this reasoning is personal we have to accept their unfortunate departure and make it known that we want other minority representatives to replace them. Let Rod Todd, Director of the Resident Directors, know that we feel it is essential to our existence on this campus to have minority replacements. Ask Ms. Todd who will be replacing Nate and Alive. I believe turnover is great in this type of job; however, let’s not have a continuous exiting of black faculty and staff members with no, or few ones, coming in!
Last, but not least, there is Hattie Foster. Hattie has the quietest and cleanest dorm on West Chester’s campus-- not to mention the most attractive. Why, then, was Hattie given an all unsatisfactory evaluation? Why is Hattie being “harassed” by Roda Todd? There is no doubt that Hattie runs the best dorm on campus. Why should she have to undergo this harrassment? Ask questions! See or call Ms. Todd. I’m sure Hattie has her faults, but being a few minutes late for a meeting(s) is no legitimate reasoning to harass an individual--obviously, Ms. Todd thinks so. Find out why! Hattie doesn’t want to leave West Chester, but it seems she’s being forced to… It can only happen if we let it.
April Black Arts Festival
SUNDAY, April 17
The evening opened with an intimate conversation with Pat Exum on the Black Woman, Her Family, and Her Education. The female dominated audience freely expressed their opinions on life while Ms. Exum responded and reflected on her personal life. The few in attendance became a part of the enlightening experience with personal attention given to everyone.
MONDAY, April 18
Sounds in Motion staged an outstanding performance in Philips Auditorium at 8:00 p.m. The interpretative dancers and musicians delightfully entertained entertained the approximately hundred students and visitors who experienced this evening of festivities.
TUESDAY, April 19
Tuesday evening with Nikki Giovanni was, in the least, “entertaining.” Ms. Giovanni was well accepted by the five hundred in attendance presenting her brief lecture and even briefer “poetry.” Nikki’s fellow poets criticized her recent poetry as being commercial--rather than carrying with it a message for her audiences. Listen and read her poetry for yourself and be the judge.
WEDNESDAY, April 20
The play “Mojo” performed by two members from the acting company, “Freedom Theatre” ran at Sykes Union Building on Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. It was a very enjoyable performance, which was based on a story about a young black couple facing life’s troubles which included marital problems and a serious case of cancer. Although there were only two performers, the performance seemed very rich. It was truly an outstanding play.!
Jody Hill
THURSDAY, April 21
I would like to react to the fashion show which was held Thursday evening in Swope Hall Auditorium. This event was opened to two selections by our Gospel Choir which were fantastic! They looked, I might add, as well as they sang. After the performance, the work, practice, and effort of the participants of the fashion show came through in their elegance and style of the models. Their clothes were well chosen and some were even made by our own Diane Mitchelle. The dancers, Naomi and Patrice and then Renee, were exquisite and moved with a fluency and flexibility which left me amazed and impressed.
Dot Clark
FRIDAY, April 22
“Mahogany”, the story of a young black female fashion designer who made it big ultimately “settled down” to a marriage to a community politician portrayed by Billie Dee Williams and starring Diana Ross was shown in the Philips Auditorium at 8:00. The film, which was fairly attended, suffered a loss.
SATURDAY, April 23
At noon a picnic with all the trimmings was held down South Campus for everyone attned. There was outdoor cooking and lunch meats for all. We continued the outdoor affair with games and cards until 4:00 that afternoon when the gang cooled off in the pool while E-Man jammed in the stands until 7:00 p.m. From 9 til 1, “Breakwater” played in Erhinger Gym (which proved to be more of a get together than a jam!).
Renee Musgrave
SUNDAY, April 24
Despite the rain and strain of arising at 7 a.m. to catch the 8 o’clock bus, 43 students went cruising off to see Broadway’s hit, “Bubbling Brown Sugar” for a mere dollar which went towards the pastry and drinks everyone received on the way. The day was dreary, but the play was DY-NO-MITE!!!
Letter to the Graduates
You have loved your work, you have loved people and you play, but your always have been uplifted by the thought that what you have done well--will live long and justify your life; that what you have done ill or never finished can now be handed on to others for endless days to be finished, perhaps better than you could have done.
And that peace will be your applause.
One thing alone I charge you. As you live, believe in life. Always human beings will live and profess to a greater, broader, and fuller line.
The only possible death is to lose belief in this truth simply because the great end comes slowly, because time is long
Goodbye,
Wanda O’Gilvie
1977
(An image of two graduates)
...AND NOW THE TIME HAS COME!
WEST CHESTER STATE COLLEGE
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
THE EBONY TOWER
EDITORIAL
Good-bye West Chester State College. Goodbye faculty, staff and students. Last, but certainly not least of all, good-bye Black Student Union. No, I'm not graduating; I'm transferring to Temple University. I'm leaving to take advantage of all the opportunities Temple offers a young, ambitious, black female Accounting major. After securing my degree at Temple and my certificate in the field of accounting (C.P.A.), I may continue my education in the field of corporate law. By now you may be able to see that Temple will better serve my needs than West Chester. This is no way degrading West Chester, but it is in no way degrading West Chester, but it is a personal opinion to which everyone is entitled. This I hope explains why I did not run for the presidency position of the Black Student Union. During my stay, I love it and I loathed it, and I would do it all over again: because I couldn't have done what I did without it!
I would like to wish the new Executive Board all the luck and success in the world. The entire board looks pretty strong; I think this should be a good year coming up for your B.S.U. --join in and lend a hand. To quote the words of a past BSU president... "The B.S.U. is only B.S. without U." Remember That.
Wanda Daniels
Editor - X-2902
1976
Blacks celebrate their Centennial 113 years of freedom
1965
Freedom March from Selma to Montgomery
1909
NAACP Founded
1900
First Black to graduate from West Chester St.
1870
Blacks were given the right to vote
1865
13th Amend. Abolished Slavery
1863
Lincoln signs Emancipation Proclamation
1492
First Slave Ship to America
May 9, 1977 Vol. 1 No. 3
Announcements
CONGRATULATIONS AND BEST WISHES TO THE NEW EXECUTIVE BOARD OF THE B.S.U.!!!!!
They are:
President, Renee Buillory
Vice President, Nate Gadsden
Treasurer, Wanda O’gilvie
Recording Secretary, Linda Thomas
Corresponding Secretary, Sylvia Tyler
Activities Chairperson, Jody Hill
Publications Chairperson, Dot Clark
BSU Rep to IGA, Alice Turner
Senior Class Rep, Naomi Shephard
Junior Class Rep, John Thomas
****************************************************************
May 9-13: Finals begin and end
14: Commencement; Julian Bond speaking
June 6: Pre-Session begins
27: Regular Session begins
Aug. 8: Post Session begins
****************************************************************
EBONY TOWER STAFF
Wanda Daniels………………...Editor
221 Ramsey
Dorothy Clark…………………..Asst. Editor
310 Schmidt
Wanda O’gilvie………………..Poetry Reporter
608 Tyson
Robert Reynolds……………...Reporter
409 Ramsey
Guest Reporters……………...Jody Hill
……………....Renee Musgrave
******************************************************************
What are you if you don’t know the word for what you are?
******************************************************************
All Three R.D.’s
In September 1977, there may be three less higher ranking blacks on west Chester’s campus. I am referring to the three black Resident Directors of Sanderson Hall, Nate Gadsden, McCarthy Hall, Alive Hunt, and Schmidt Hall, Hattie Foster. When this piece of information was brought to the surface, concerned students decided to investigate the matter to ask why, instead of assuming the worst. In interviewing the aforementioned resident directors, Nate and Alive responded on a personal level (non-campus related) as to why they were leaving. Realizing that neither of the two had secured jobs elsewhere, we felt impelled to seek out some type of explanation. Bot Nate and Alice have worked closely with the B.S.U. at one time or another and are always available to confer with. You can always rely on them whenever anything comes up. However, since the majority of this reasoning is personal we have to accept their unfortunate departure and make it known that we want other minority representatives to replace them. Let Rod Todd, Director of the Resident Directors, know that we feel it is essential to our existence on this campus to have minority replacements. Ask Ms. Todd who will be replacing Nate and Alive. I believe turnover is great in this type of job; however, let’s not have a continuous exiting of black faculty and staff members with no, or few ones, coming in!
Last, but not least, there is Hattie Foster. Hattie has the quietest and cleanest dorm on West Chester’s campus-- not to mention the most attractive. Why, then, was Hattie given an all unsatisfactory evaluation? Why is Hattie being “harassed” by Roda Todd? There is no doubt that Hattie runs the best dorm on campus. Why should she have to undergo this harrassment? Ask questions! See or call Ms. Todd. I’m sure Hattie has her faults, but being a few minutes late for a meeting(s) is no legitimate reasoning to harass an individual--obviously, Ms. Todd thinks so. Find out why! Hattie doesn’t want to leave West Chester, but it seems she’s being forced to… It can only happen if we let it.
April Black Arts Festival
SUNDAY, April 17
The evening opened with an intimate conversation with Pat Exum on the Black Woman, Her Family, and Her Education. The female dominated audience freely expressed their opinions on life while Ms. Exum responded and reflected on her personal life. The few in attendance became a part of the enlightening experience with personal attention given to everyone.
MONDAY, April 18
Sounds in Motion staged an outstanding performance in Philips Auditorium at 8:00 p.m. The interpretative dancers and musicians delightfully entertained entertained the approximately hundred students and visitors who experienced this evening of festivities.
TUESDAY, April 19
Tuesday evening with Nikki Giovanni was, in the least, “entertaining.” Ms. Giovanni was well accepted by the five hundred in attendance presenting her brief lecture and even briefer “poetry.” Nikki’s fellow poets criticized her recent poetry as being commercial--rather than carrying with it a message for her audiences. Listen and read her poetry for yourself and be the judge.
WEDNESDAY, April 20
The play “Mojo” performed by two members from the acting company, “Freedom Theatre” ran at Sykes Union Building on Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. It was a very enjoyable performance, which was based on a story about a young black couple facing life’s troubles which included marital problems and a serious case of cancer. Although there were only two performers, the performance seemed very rich. It was truly an outstanding play.!
Jody Hill
THURSDAY, April 21
I would like to react to the fashion show which was held Thursday evening in Swope Hall Auditorium. This event was opened to two selections by our Gospel Choir which were fantastic! They looked, I might add, as well as they sang. After the performance, the work, practice, and effort of the participants of the fashion show came through in their elegance and style of the models. Their clothes were well chosen and some were even made by our own Diane Mitchelle. The dancers, Naomi and Patrice and then Renee, were exquisite and moved with a fluency and flexibility which left me amazed and impressed.
Dot Clark
FRIDAY, April 22
“Mahogany”, the story of a young black female fashion designer who made it big ultimately “settled down” to a marriage to a community politician portrayed by Billie Dee Williams and starring Diana Ross was shown in the Philips Auditorium at 8:00. The film, which was fairly attended, suffered a loss.
SATURDAY, April 23
At noon a picnic with all the trimmings was held down South Campus for everyone attned. There was outdoor cooking and lunch meats for all. We continued the outdoor affair with games and cards until 4:00 that afternoon when the gang cooled off in the pool while E-Man jammed in the stands until 7:00 p.m. From 9 til 1, “Breakwater” played in Erhinger Gym (which proved to be more of a get together than a jam!).
Renee Musgrave
SUNDAY, April 24
Despite the rain and strain of arising at 7 a.m. to catch the 8 o’clock bus, 43 students went cruising off to see Broadway’s hit, “Bubbling Brown Sugar” for a mere dollar which went towards the pastry and drinks everyone received on the way. The day was dreary, but the play was DY-NO-MITE!!!
Letter to the Graduates
You have loved your work, you have loved people and you play, but your always have been uplifted by the thought that what you have done well--will live long and justify your life; that what you have done ill or never finished can now be handed on to others for endless days to be finished, perhaps better than you could have done.
And that peace will be your applause.
One thing alone I charge you. As you live, believe in life. Always human beings will live and profess to a greater, broader, and fuller line.
The only possible death is to lose belief in this truth simply because the great end comes slowly, because time is long
Goodbye,
Wanda O’Gilvie
1977
(An image of two graduates)
...AND NOW THE TIME HAS COME!
Original Format
Typed and Handwritten Paper Pamphlet
Files
Reference
Black Student Union 1977, The Ebony Tower, Black Student Union