Newspaper Page Text
Vol. 36, No. 2
MORRIS BROWN COLLEGE
January, 1967
The Dying Wolverine Observer
by Syble Avery
It Was A Very Good Year
Being the editor for the past two years, I have become con
cerned over the erratic pattern in which the Wolverine Observer
has appeared. My concern here is not you, the student body, be
cause I have received more than adequate support from you. Your
response since the last issue has shown that you are interested and
that you do want a student publication.
If you will recall, there has been only one issue of the Wolverine
Observer published this semester. The reason for this is the lack
of money. I have been told that we will not be able to publish a
newspaper next month, so do not expect one. You are probably
wondering why this is so when the catalogue states that each stu
dent pays twenty dollars for student publicaion. There are over
one thousand students attending Morris Brown College. This
means that there is more than twenty-one thousand dollars appro
priated for student publication. Now, why can’t we have a news
paper every month?
It is a definite fact that we need a newspaper. In what other
way can the students express themselves or be informed of the
happenings around campus? We could install an intricate telephone
system, but that would be even more expensive. Personally, I see
no other practical or convenient solution other than publishing
a newspaper, at least, once a month. So, I appeal to you, the
student body of Morris Brown College, to speak out and let
the administration know what you want.
What Harvard Did For Me
by Timothy Solomon
Last summer about fifty (50) students from predominantly
Negro colleges and universities and I had the good fortune of
being selected to participate in the Harvard Special Summer
Project. It is a program designed to alleviate the acute shortage
of Negro lawyers in this country by interesting Negro students in
the legal profession.
From the time I was notified by the Harvard Law School
that I had been selected to participate in the S.S.P. until the
time that I arrived in Cambridge, I couldn’t believe that I was
going to attend Harvard. I really can’t believe it now. But be
that as it may, the fact remains that I did go and that I am very
pleased about the experience.
For I am eternally grateful to Harvard for two (2) things:
(1) it made me aspire to do more, and (2) it inculcated within
me a feeling of self-confidence and overflowing pride in Morris
Brown.
Before I went to Harvard, I was a victim of that virus so prev
alent on Morris Brown’s Campus that compared to other schools
in the United States Morris Brown's students are somewhat under
par. Because I wrongly felt that though I have a decent average
at Morris Brown, it was because Morris Brown is just a little
“Colored” school, and Colored schools are always under par.
But I was never more wrong in all my life. For at Harvard,
I attended classes with students not only from Harvard, but from
schools across the United States and performed well.
After the first session of my Political Theory class, my diffi
dence became confidence and my apprehension, anxiousness to
attend the next class. For I discovered that the academic back
ground that I had acquired at Morris Brown, "a little colored
school,” was of such high quality that I was able to compete with
students from other schools across the United States and the world.
When I returned to Morris Brown last summer, I returned
determined to drink deep of what Morrfs Brown has to offer me.
Lest I cheat myself and Morris Brown, which I realize now is
indeed the “Pride of the Earth."
Of equal, if not more importance for me was the “escalation”
of my aspirations which was an inevitable result no doubt, of being
instructed to visit Boston’s best law firms, and competing and
studying in Harvard's cosmopolitan atmosphere.
My friends at Harvard reflect this cosmopolitanism: James
MacPherson, my best friend, is a Morris Brown graduate attending
Harvard Law School: Ceopar Mabunde. is the son of a Liberian
Paramount Chief; and Sehichiro Otsuka, my Karate instructor, is
an attache of the Japanese Embassy on leave. These were the
kinds of people whom I met last summer and with whom I
studied and “partied.”
Never in my life has an experience done so much to change my
outlook on life as the experience that I had at Harvard last summer.
I aspire to do more now because I saw what I could do in Harvard's
international setting. I expect more of myself now because I realize
that Morris Brown is the board from which I must spring upon
the world—and as a Brownite, I will be prepared.
by Nathaniel Sheppard, Jr.
Yes, for our “MARCHING WOLVERINE BAND” 1966 was
a very good year. The band, under the superb guidance of Mr.
Cleopus R. Johnson, band director, and with the diligent efforts
of assistant band directors Mr. William Revere and Mr. Henry
Gilliam, was able to complete another year of putting on electrify
ing and exciting shows for its
audience's enjoyment.
The band, after having re
ceived the band of the year
award, really had their work cut
out for them in that they had to
show people that they were de
serving of the award, and I’m
sure that those who were able
to see the band in action will
agree that they did deserve it.
As what you might call rewards
for their excellent performances
the band was invited to perform
on television which exposed
them to millions of viewers thus
aiding more people to realize
that Morris Brown exists and
Chapel Attendance
Required
by Julius Stiggers
In my opinion students should
attend chapel exercises, due to
the fact that it increases their
knowledge and interests in many
fields, it lets them know what's
going on around campus, it
gives you a chance to meet dig
nitaries and understand them
better. After all, students are
required to attend Chapel only
once a week whereas last year
for some of us it was twice a
week. I’m sure you can give 30
minutes of your time, once a
week, to your school.
Recently in chapel there has
been the Language Arts Depart
ment presenting songs or read
ings from Spain, France and Ger
many. Dr. Mwkwanazi - African
Role in the World and there will
be many more interesting exer
cises in chapel, so attend. And
besides when you don’t attend
and get numerous amounts of
cuts, points will be deducted
from you. And once you are in
chapel, pay attention to what is
being said, all books and papers
should be put away and all eyes
focused toward the front, think
about it and see if you don’t de
serve going to chapel.
that it has, among other things
an outstanding music depart
ment.
The band owes a great deal
of thanks also to our college
president, Dr. John A. Middle-
ton, without whose support
much of the progress made by
the band would not have been
possible.
Well, the marching band has
finished another year and put
the uniforms away until next
season but exciting things will
continue to happen to the band
because in the making is one of
the best concert bands you will
hear this year. Yes, Mr. Johnson
has big plans for the concert
band this year including several
concerts which I’m sure you will
enjoy.
Let us keep an eye on the
band which is destined to be
come the greatest band in the
land.
Wolverine Notes
On Monday, January 30,
1967, Doctor Abraham I. Katsh,
the Director of the Institute of
Hebrew Studies of New York
University will be in the Atlanta
University Center to speak in
formally at a luncheon for the
faculty and students in the De
partments of Religion Under
graduate schools and other stu
dents interested in religious vo
cations. Dr. Katsh is appearing
under the auspices of the Uni
versity Center in Georgia.
Dr. Blakely has been asked
by Professor Leslie Garber to
assist in arranging for this
meeting. Since this is the first
day of registration for the second
semester, Dr. Blakely feels that
this ought-to be a relatively free
luncheon period for both stu
dents and faculty if plans are
made now.
Your suggestions as to how
we can most effectively involve
Morris Brown’s students in this
opportunity would be most ap
preciated. If you have any sug
gestions please report them to
Dr. Blakely’s office in the Ad
ministration Building.
* * *
The Great Books Discussion
Program directed by Dr. Blake
ly will have its next meeting
February 2, 1967. The book
that will be discussed is John
Milton’s Arcopagitica.
* * *
The Graduate Record Ex
amination will be given Satur
day, February 18, 1967 in the
Chapel at-7:45 a.m. All seniors
who are expected to graduate
before February, 1968 are urged
to take the examination. You
may secure application forms
from Dr. Blakely.
Where Can I Co
By John Gilbert and Jarret Thomas
Housing conditions at Morris Brown have been inadequate for
the past year and a half. The college has three dormitories; two
for women and one for men. Grant Hall, a male dormitory, was
demolished in late 1966 to make way for a new Science and
modem Foreign Language Building. Wilkes Hall, the remaining
male dormitory was built in 1959 to house 76 men, but today
this number has almost doubled.
Moreover this problem is prevalent in Sarah Allen Quadrangle,
which was built in 1954, consisting of apartments and accommo
dating five persons each. Today these apartments accommodate
eight, and in some cases, nine, ten, and eleven.
Recognizing that its students had to have sufficient housing,
many steps were taken earlier in the fall to provide space for
ousted students. Three pre-fabricated trailers were purchased, a
large house was leased, and homes which were near, and conducive
to college living were sought for students. Although much was
done in this respect, some students were still forced to move in
the city.
With this ever present problem facing the college community,
the President of the college, Dean of Students and other responsible
persons can now visualize better housing at Morris Brown.
Plans for (2) two new six story dormitories, one male and
one female housing 215 with an adjoining Dining Hall is on the
architect’s drawing board. This new complex will be built on a
tract of land bounded by Tatnall and Griffin Streets, with actual
construction planned for the spring of 1967.