Video celebrates Oberlin's African-American history

Cosby narrates new version sent to all new students

Escaping slaves followed the morning star to freedom.

An update of Follow the Morning Star,  a documentary about Oberlin's African-American history, will be mailed out to all accepted students this spring. (see related story)

President Nancy Dye said she felt it was important that all students receive the video.

The update includes moving footage and new interviews.

Many organizations helped and collaborated on the time-consuming project, including the Office of Admssions, the Office of Communications, Afrikan Heritage House and Fred Zwegat and John Lee of the Audiovisual Department.

Entertainer Bill Cosby provides narration, as he did on the original. Though the narration on the most recent copies of the video hasn't yet been updated, a newer version with Cosby will be recorded later.

Among the alums who appear in the video are George Walker OC'41, a 1996 Pulitzer Prize winner for music, Jewel Lafontant-Mankarious OC '43, a former representative to the United Nations and the first female U.S. deputy solicitor general, and Carl Rowan OC '47, syndicated columnist. Recent grads Anna Glass OC '96 and Ryan Maltese OC '96 and current students senior Anthony Calloway, senior Rebecca Renard and Christelene Jack.

Rowan says, in the video, "I have never forgotten that the door was open at Oberlin when it was closed in a lot of other places."

Viewers of the video have responded with standing ovations and been moved to tears.

"It's a wonderful product," Al Moran, director of communications, said, "that just captures the rich history of this school in a very warm and moving way."

Morning Star. (video courtesy of the Office of Communications)