Newspaper Page Text
Clark Atlanta
University
PANTHER
Volume II Number IV Atlanta, Georgia October 4, 1990
PHOTO BY NANNETTE L. WILSON
A tlanta hosts parade to celebrate winning Olympics bid.
Atlanta To Host Olympics
By TOYIA G. NASH
Staff Writer
Atlanta, Georgia is the home
of the 1996 Olympics and Clark
Atlanta University was instru
mental in helping the dream
become a reality.
When the final decision was
announced by the Internati
onal Olympic Committee
(IOC), that Atlanta won the
Olympic bid, thousands of
people had cause for celebra
tion. Two members of the
Atlanta Olympic Committee
(AOC), which was responsible
for preparing the bid to present
to the IOC, are Dr. Thomas W.
Cole, president of Clark
Atlanta University (CAU) and
Johnnetta B. Cole, president
of Spelman College. The posit
ions they hold are Co-Chair
persons to the Summer Youth
Opportunities Committee,
which falls under the Public
Support Committee. According
to Mr. Getchel Caldwell,
assistant vice-president of
development at Clark Atlanta
University, one of the responsi
bilities of the committee was to
develop programs for promot
ing greater opportunities for
children and young adults for
mental and physical develop
ment through participation in
amateur sports.
“There is no other single
activity that could bring
Atlanta together more so than
the Olympics,” said Mr.
Caldwell after discussing the
details of the venue’s that have
been proposed for Clark
Atlanta University and the
Atlanta University Center
Area. The Olympic Village
that will be located on the
campus of Georgia Institute of
Technology, will be the home
to approximately 15,500
athletes and officials. It has
been the subject of much dis
cussion in Atlanta. According
to the proposed bid devised by
the AOC, twin towers will be
constructed that will provide
housing, dining, entertain
ment, training, medical and
other facilities necessary for
the comfort of the Athletes.
“After the games are all
completed and everyone has
left, the Olympic Village will
be used to house students from
the Atlanta University Center,
Georgia TEC., and Georgia
State,” said Mr. Caldwell.
Most of the sports and
facilities of various campus’
will be used for practice and
other functions, according to
Mr. Caldwell who is the
resource person to Dr. Cole.
“It’s really going to be neat. I
think that all of the Atlanta
University Center is going to
benefit, but we (CAU) are
trying to position ourselves to
be a major force in the
Olympics,” stated Mr.
Caldwell. According to the
proposed bid, several of the
major events will be held on or
near CAU. The water polo
competition will be held at the
new stadium that will be
constructed next to the present
pool located in the Vivian
Wilson Henderson Gym on the
campus. The indoor pool will
serve as a practice facility
while the stadium will be used
as the site for the events.
“There has been discussion of
formulating a formal swim
team for CAU, after the comp
etitions, however it is still on
the table,” said Mr. Caldwell.
Although the new graduate
dorms are already under
construction, it is strategically
placed by accident, close to the
area that wil house the new
practice field. The area be
tween Holly Hill and
Bumstead Ware Hall is going
to be an official practice field
that will become CAU’s after
Dr. Cole Challenges Students
By PA ULETTE V. WALKER
Editor-in-Chief
Dr. Thomas Cole, president, Clark Atlanta University,
challenged students to become more concerned with global
issues in the opening convocation last week.
Speaking to a crowd of more than 1,000 faculty, students and
staff in the Vivian W. Henderson Center, the president stressed
that students should examine the problems of homelessness,
unemployment, illiteracy, teen-pregnancy, violence, crime,
poverty, drugs, apartheid and the impending doom in the
Middle East.
“We are here today to celebrate,”announced Dr. Cole. “Not
because we have worked out all of our problems, or that we
have all of the answers. We are here to celebrate because Clark
Atlanta University is alive and well today.”
Alive and well it might be, but Clark Atlanta has been
criticized by parents, students and the Atlanta media. Despite
this, Dr. Cole expressed hopes for better days.
“The time since Clark College and Atlanta University
consolidated has been a test,” said Dr. Cole. “The tough times
are inevitable. They are not over, but we have passed the first
test.”
Dr. Cole stressed that to pass these tests would require
patience, hard work and an understanding that people are
accustomed to working in different ways.
“We have learned from our expreiences, and the 1990-91
school year will be a better year,” promised Dr. Cole. “We will
work harder to give you the best education that our resources
can provide.”
Dr. Cole spoke of the identity of Clark Atlanta University.
“Our identity is in process, it is revolving — being shaped
through sharing, cooperating and an occasional difference of
opinion.”
As part of this identity-shaping process, Dr. Cole mentioned
three areas that would enhance the tangible identity of CAU.
There are plans to increase the library resources, improve the
quality and appearance of the dormitories, and to increase the
efficiency of the registration and financial aid processes.
Dr. Cole expressed pleasure at the increasing enrollment at
CAU.
One of the most glorious reasons to celebrate, said Dr. Cole,
is the approximately 2,462 undergraduate, and 900 graduate
students.
“More students have returned and are defying the statistics, 1
salute you!”
In a rap style, that surprised and delighted the students, Dr.
Cole set out demands and expectations for the students.
“Y ou can dance, rap and step, but work just as hard. Get high
on knowledge and not on drugs. You can listen to ‘As Nastyas
They Wanna Be’, but don’t use the profanity in these songs.”
“Be special, confident, articulate and proud,’’demanded Dr.
Cole. “Mediocrity has no place in this university.”
The president concluded his address by giving meaning to
the colors of Clark Atlanta University.
“Red signifies hard work, Black is the intensity, and Grey is
for creativity and imagination.”
Dr. Cole explained that it is not enough to be in college and
receive an education.
“The importance lies in what we do with what we receive.”
the gamec according to Mr.
Caldwell. The existing Alonzo
F. Herdon Stadium, located on
the campus of Morris Brown
College will not miss the path
of reconstruction. The stadium
will undergo major renovation
and reconstruction in prepar
ation for the Olympics. At this
site, the primary field hockey
competition will be held.
Within walking distance will
Continued On Page 2
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