50th Anniversary Celebration: Black Student Association/Umoja
October 17-19, 2019
The Goucher College Office of Alumnae/i Affairs, Office of Student Engagement, Umoja, and Special Collections & Archives are proud to offer three days of celebration to honor the 50th anniversary of the start of the Black Student Association, now called Umoja. The programming will include educational, cultural, and social events honoring and recognizing this significant milestone in Goucher’s history. We will also honor the women who took the bold step to start the organization in 1969.
Schedule of events
Thursday, October 17: Exhibit Opening
Reception for Paul Henderson: Photographs from the Civil Rights Era | 6 - 8 p.m.
4th Floor, Athenaeum
This event is free and open to all students, alumnae/i, faculty, staff and community
members. Sponsored by The Goucher College Friends of the Library.
Friday, October 18: 50th Anniversary Reception
CEO Coffee Chat | 10:30 a.m. - noon
Exploration Hub, first floor of Van Meter Hall
Join the CEO for a Coffee Chat with Bradley Whitted ’13.
Alumnae/i Welcome Lunch | 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Mary Fisher Dining Center
Alumnae/i can pick up a free lunch voucher in the Alumnae/i House beginning at 9 am.
Special Collections & Archives | 1:30 - 4 p.m.
4th Floor Athenaeum
View the 50th Anniversary of the Black Student Association/Umoja Exhibit and tour the Paul Henderson photography exhibit.
Open Class for Alumnae/i
Join current students and sit in on the following classes:
8:40 - 10:30 a.m.
- Ballet Technique II
Professor Elizabeth Ahearn
TD 104
10:40 - 11:50 a.m.
- Shakespeare on Screen
Professor Michael Curry
Van Meter Hall G50 - Words, Music, and Meaning
Associate Professor Kendall Kennison
Hoffberger Science G10F
Noon - 1:10 p.m.
- Ecology and Evolution
Professor Cynthia Kicklighter
Hoffberger Science 149 - Cell Biology and Biochemistry
Associate Professor Jenny Lenkowski
Hoffberger Science 133 - Advanced Acting
Professor Michael Curry
Meyerhoff Arts Center 118 - Statistical Linear Models
Associate Professor Phong Le
Julia Rogers 128DMC - Maintaining (and Challenging) the Status Quo: Power and Privilege US
Assistant Professor Jen Bess
Van Meter 205
*Max capacity: 3 alumnae/i. Please email alumni@goucher.edu to reserve your space.
2:40 - 3:50 p.m.
- HIS 273 African American History II
Assistant Professor James Dator
Van Meter Hall G11 | 2:40 - 3:50 p.m. - Fundamentals of Music Theory
Associate Professor Kendall Kennison
Hoffberger Science G10F - Calculus through Data and Modeling
Assistant Professor Rachel Grotheer
Julia Rogers 130 - Statistical Linear Models
Assistant Professor Tom Narock
Julia Rogers 121 - Black Psychology
Assistant Professor Nyasha Grayman
Van Meter 213
Center for Race, Equity, and Identity (CREI) | 1 - 4 p.m.
4th Floor Athenaeum, Room 422
Visit the Center, meet the staff and student employees, and learn more about CREI programming and student support services.
Goucher Prison Education Partnership (GPEP) | 1 - 4 p.m.
Hoffberger, Room 124
Based on interest from Umoja alumni, the GPEP office will host open hours for guests to visit and learn more about Goucher’s national leadership in higher education in prison, about volunteer roles, and about how the Goucher community is enhanced and strengthened by the inclusion of students at the two prisons.
50th Anniversary Celebration Reception | 6 - 8 p.m.
Hyman Forum, Athenaeum
Join alumnae/i, students, faculty, and staff to honor and recognize this important milestone anniversary. RSVP required.
Saturday, October 19: A Day of Celebration & Reflection
Coffee & Mingling | 9:30 - 10 a.m.
Hyman Forum, Athenaeum
Opening Session | 10 - 10:45 a.m.
Hyman Forum, Athenaeum
Welcome from President Devereaux, alumnae/i, and Umoja Students
Breakout Session 1 | 11 - 11:45 a.m.
Hyman Forum, Athenaeum
Session Topics
- Black at Goucher: Hear from alumna Yabsera Faris ’17 about her senior capstone project capturing the oral history of nine Black alumnae/i.
- The Hallowed Ground Project: Prior to the abolition of slavery in the state in 1864, the so-called “peculiar institution” dominated much of the Maryland’s landscape, including the ground on which Goucher College now stands. Yet much of this history has been forgotten and overlooked. This session will provide an introduction to the Hallowed Ground Project, the new research and memorial initiative that seeks to tell the story of the enslaved African American men, women, and children who once labored on the land in the 18th and 19th centuries.
- Umoja Then and Now: Hear from alumnae who made the bold decision to start the Black Student Association in 1969 as they partner with current Umoja students facing today’s challenges.
Lunch & Show Sponsored by Umoja | Noon - 1:15 p.m.
Hyman Forum, Athenaeum
This will be an open mic opportunity for students and alumnae/i to share their talents during lunch.
Breakout Session 2 | 1:30 - 2:15 p.m.
Hyman Forum, Athenaeum
Session Topics
- Black at Goucher: Hear from alumna Yabsera Faris ’17 about her senior capstone project capturing the oral history of nine Black alumnae/i.
- Life After Goucher: A career conversation for students to hear about the professional and personal experiences of alumnae/i after they graduated from Goucher.
- Self-Care and Self Confidence: Led by Goucher alumna and life coach Uneeda Brewer '70. Whether you are a student, alumna/us, faculty or staff, take time to take care of your well-being and build your confidence through discussion and reflection.
Closing Session | 2:30 - 3 p.m.
Hyman Forum, Athenaeum
Come together for a final reflection on the past three days and past 50 years!
For more information on these events, please contact the Office of Alumnae/i Affairs at 410-337-6180 or Jennifer Pawlo-Johnstone at jennifer.pawlojohnstone@goucher.edu.
Registration deadline: October 15, 2019.