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PANTHER NOVEMBER* 1977
EDITOR'S
MAILBOX
Homecoming
Concerns
Dear Editor,
I would like to express my
concern about the SGA’s lack of
concern during the
Homeromino activities.
The Concerned Students of
Leadership party promised a lot
of things during their cam
paign. One of the major
promises involved homecoming.
We were told they would work
hand in hand with Miss Clark to
ensure a better coronation.
Instead, the Coronation started
an hour and a half late, the SGA
president, who is a Religion and
Philosophy major, allowed this
long delay for the college
minister before he decided to
say a prayer. The sound system
was ineffective, the stage
was not up to par, and the
spotlight was taken off Miss
Gark immediately after she was
crowned.
Promise numoer iwo was 10
have a popular group whose
music we could all party to. We
go 1 a popular group, at least one
we had all heard of, but we
couldn't party. I think its a real
shame to have payed several
'housand dollars to hear one
song-not that the group only
played one song, bu' only one
'hat impressed the s'udents.
Then 'here was the Red and
Black Affair. The SGA provided
a jazz band for our enjoyment.
The only problem was students
wanted to dance and couldn't
because the music was inap
propriate.
The final disaster spon
sored by the SGA was the
parade. Besides 'he many gaps,
Miss Clark’s floa’ was not
prepared un'il after the parade
s'ar'ed. Wi'h such fast
prepara’ion, Miss Clark’s float
happened'o be one of'.he most
unprepared floats in the parade.
Homecoming is an event
'ha' 'ne s'udent body, as well as
’he adminis'ra’ion look forward
'o. I would 'hink that 'he SGA
would make a special effort to
make sure 'ha' everything is
organized and a' its best. This is
■he 'ime of year when the
Alumni re’urn, 'he President of
'he college may bring in special
gues's, and many students
invi'e 'heir parents to the
college. The manner in which
Homecoming is carried out
reflects the school.
If this is not a time for the
SGA, the students, and the
student advisors to be con
cerned, then 1 think we need to
readjust our values.
Concerned Student
Greeks Lose Meaning,
MY VIEW / Thomas Torrence
Spirit of Founders
Around this time of year, one of the most interesting
happenings in the Atlanta University Center is pledging.
Pledging is the different procedures that individuals go
through in their quest for what many consider “the ultimate.”
Although many students go through the motion of pledging,
'hey rarely realize the true, original meaning of the words fraternity
and sorority.
These students forget that the founders and original members
of the various fraternities and sororities founded them for a specific
purpose. The most important purpose was to unite Black people.
They founded them so Black people could have a common bond.
However, today’s sororities and fraternities seem to have lost
the true meaning. There is a rivalry between the different greek
organizations. For example, one fraternity member doesn’t
befriend another fraternity member because he is a member of a
different fraternity. He only wants to hang with “his kind.”
This kind of attitude tends to seperate rather than unite Black
brothers.
Many individuals become members of Greek organizations in
order 'o become popular. Many have the idea that people in Greek
organizations are the “in crowd”.
This idea is totally distorted. One should undertake this en
deavor with the earnest desire of becoming a member of a
sis'erhood or brotherhood.
Also, the Greek organizations around the Atlanta University
Center need to spend more time doing community oriented projects
rather than social entertainment.
The fraternity-sorority systems needs to go back and reevaluate
the true meaning of what they stand for.
G Bqkke (*>qse
SGA President’s Message
Last week a group of students asked me a question about
apa'hy. As president, what are you doing about the apathy on this
campus? My answer to this question (a relevant question of the
'imes) was not an immediate one because apathy is a very difficult
problem to deal with.
Webs'er defines apathy as a lack of feelings or emotion and
lack of interest or concern. Apathy affects not only this campus, but
college campuses throughout the nation. Apathy is also a national
problem 'hat effects our jobs, political system, the military, school
and in general our way of life.
So how does one deal with apathy on a campus the size of Clark
College? This year the Student Government Association has
adop'ed a new policy of “Putting the students back in the SGA.”
How can we do 'his? By giving students a part in the decision
making process of the SGA, encouraging student participation in
ac'ivi'ies and by creating programs for students based on their
concerns.
Las' week the Clark College family observed its annual
Homecoming activi'ies. The theme was “Save The Black Colleges".
The SGA for the first time in its history sponsored a week of ac
'ivi'ies (OCT. 9-5th) with the student body in mind. The activities
ranged from a Gospel show to aGreek stepout. We also spent one
day of 'hat week honoring Black leaders.
Bu' some of the complaints from the student body were that we
had too many activities or we scheduled activities at the wrong time.
The SGA scheduled activities at the times we felt convenient to the
en'ire s'udent body. But what about school spirit? We go to a game
bu' won’ 1 cheer, we go to an assembly but won't clap, we join
organiza'ions but won’t participate, we have many abilities that
could help Clark College but won’t apply these abilities.
There is no administrator or SGA official who can generate
school spirit; it must come from each student on the campus. No one
can make you participate in school activities (Homecoming, football
games, assemblies etc., you must have the motivation, drive, and
concern along with school pride to want to take an active role in
campus activities.
1 challenge each and every Clark College student to examine
himself and what Clark means to him, to determine whether the
apathy that exists lies within you.
Maddix D. Moore III
>•
SGA’S Awards Show
Simple, Dignified
WE HAVE COME TOO FAR,
WE CAN’T STOP NOW, WE MUST EXCEL
MIMartin Luther King
These inspiring words by the late civil rights leader set the tone
for 'he 1st Annual PUSH For Excellence Awards ceremony held
recently at Davage Auditorium on the Clark College campus.
Six Blacks-five men and one woman-were honored by the
Clark Student Government Association for their achievements in the
fields of business, sports, civil rights and communications during a
brief and low key ceremony that lacked the phony hype and hoopla
of many o'her ceremonies.
Monica Kaufman, anchorwoman for Atlanta’s WSB; Bill Lucas,
Vice President of Personnel for the Atlanta Braves; Leonidas Epps,
Clark College basketball coach; Jesse Jackson, the noted civil rights
leader; Jesse Hill, a prominent Atlanta businessman; and Hank
Aaron, the all-time major league baseball homerun hitter were
recognized by the SGA for their contributions in the respective
fields.
“They have demonstrated what black people are about,” said
Maddix D. Moore, the Clark SGA president. “They have demon
s'rated 'heir excellence. They have given positive images for black
children.”
Moore, his voice growing more intense as he spoke, noted that
each of the recipients “bring positive and respectful images to
blacks.”
Although only two of the honorees were able to attend
(Kaufman and Epps), the ceremony was not without its bright
moments.
Anna Brown, a music major from Gark, aroused the sparse
crowd of about 150 with her spirited rendition of “The Greatest,”
'heme song from the movie of the same name. She sang so well that
Bob Hope, a public relation executive from the Atlanta Braves
jokingly announced that he was going to award her with the “Bob
Hope Award For Music.”
Hope, accepting awards for Lucas and Aaron, who could not
attend because of prior committments, drew chuckles from the
crowd with his sharp but playful barbs at the Braves and his boss,
eccentric millionaire owner Ted Turner. But Hope did become
serious long enough to praise Lucas, one of the few blacks to hold an
executive position in professional sports. “Bill’s a brilliant man,”
Hope said. “He’s done a fine job.”
Hope also praised Miss Kaufman for her work in com-
munications. Miss Kaufman, the first black and first woman an-
chorperson in Atlanta, was not only recognized by the SGA for her
work in broadcasting, but for her civic work also. Miss Kaufman is a
tutor at the Atlanta Reading Academy, and when accepting the
award, urged students to volunteer their time to help tutor some’of
the academy students.
The presentation of the award to Epps took longer than any of
'he others par y because of a long introduction by a young male
presenter who stuttered through most of the introduction, and
partly because of the minute and a half standing ovation Epps
received. Obviously moved by the gesture, Epps said, “I’m humble
1 shall always cherish the award.”
Hill, president of Atlanta Life Insurance Co. and head of the
A'lan'a Chamber of Commerce and Jackspn, head of ^Operation
Push were,altip unable to attend because of prior engag’emenrs, but
Jackson sent Modre a telegram thanking the SGA for the award and
promised <o return to Clark at a later date to receive the award.
“For the amount of money this thing cost,” joked Moore,
“He’s go' to be here.”
Clark College President Elias Blake, observing the far less than
capaci'y crowd, chided the missing students for their apathy and
'old s'uden's in the audience to “Tell them (the missing students)
wha' 'hey missed.” Blake also urged the audience to “Keep on
keeping on.”
The ceremony was not like the Emmy or Academy Awards
shows. No, there were no long speeches, no recipients thanking
everybody from their grandmothers to their dogcatchers. Just a
simple and dignified gathering honoring six special people, who as
Moore put it, "If for no other purpose, because they are
somebody."
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We regret the error in
the October Panther which
misspelled Earl Milloy’s name
and incorrectly identified
Channel 36, with which Milloy
^SSSSSSSSSSMSWWSSiSJSWi
works as a newscaster. Channel
36’s correct call letters are-
WATL and Milloy can be heard
each Saturday at 6:45 p.m.
~>;v 'oo