The arts were a major component of the weekend's activities. Besides
Brooks's performance, the roster included a concert by the student
singing group Voices for Christ, a production of senior Kyo Freeman's
play, If I Should Die Tonight, about the last day of Marvin Gaye's
life, and a traditional Afrikan Heritage House Soul Session elicited
impromptu offerings from alumni and students alike. African-Americans'
use of the arts to elevate their condition in the United States
was the subject of a discussion, with a faculty panel and audience
members, led by Caroline Jackson-Smith, a professor of African-American
studies and theater at Oberlin.
Individual alums from the '20s, '40s, '50s, and '80s spoke about their years at the College during the discussion Through the Generations: The Black Experience at Oberlin. And at Saturday night's dinner and reception, at which Oberlin College trustee William L. Robinson '63 gave the keynote address, the group inducted the African-American Alumni/ae Hall of Fame's first class: Mary Jane Patterson, Class of 1862; George A. Walker, Jr. '41; Albert McQueen '52; and Charlene Cole-Newkirk '74.
This year, as during past reunions, alumni welcomed student involvement
in all of the weekends' activities. Tammy Dowley-Blackman '90
devised a career and networking session in which alumni discussed
with students career interests and issues they'll confront in
the work world.
They also helped students polish their resumes and develop interview
skills. Flyers that proclaimed "The Real World Awaits! Be Ready
for It," succeeded in attracting many people, says African-American
Alumni/ae Committee chair-person Alicia Jacobs '77. The notices
were so successful, in fact, that the three-hour-long session
proved too short a time to make maximum use of all the expertise
available, she says.
--CN
Photographs courtesy of Charlene Cole-Newkirk