Newspaper Page Text
‘No Ordinary Day’
at the State Capitol
By Elisa Smith
The papers rustling, the desks
spilling over with documents, the
ceaseless conversation and the blinking
page lights may have indicated that
January 15 was just another day at
Georgia’s State Capitol.
But, this "most special day, a day
of one of Georgia’s and our nation’s
greatest heroes (Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr.) was "no ordinary day" at the
Capitol, said Sister-President Dr.
Johnnetta B. Cole at the Capitol.
Just hours before the session
convened at 10:00 a.m., Spelman had
been cited as "the jewel of the South,"
by Rep. Henrietta Tumquest of the
56th district (South Dekalb) at a
breakfast - the welcoming kick-off to
Spelman College Day at the Georgia
State Capitol.
After an invocation by Dr. Norman
Rates, Spelman’s College Minister and
chairperson of the Department of
Religion, Dr. Cole addressed the crowd
of Spelman alumnae, students and
professors; state employees; senators
and representatives who gathered to
honor Spelman.
"We have a responsibility not only
to continue to educate young
Henriettas," said Dr. Cole, "but to
support all of our African-American
representatives - representatives of our
causes, of our people."
Joined by Rep. "Able" Mable
Thomas of the 31st district. Rep.
Tumquest expressed delight in exposing
Spelman to the Legislature.
"To invite my school to the
Capitol" was a special treat for Rep.
Tumquest, a Spelman alumna, because
it had never been done before.
She dedicated the day to her
mother, also a Spelman alumna, who
insisted that she attend Spelman.
"Today is a testimony to all Black
officials that this is a participatory
democracy," said Tumquest. "We have
a responsibility beyond going into the
ballot box."
After the breakfast, participants
were photographed around the dais of
the House of Representatives.
Student interns, who were hostesses
at the breakfast, attended an orientation
session and became personal pages of
Rep. Tumquest.
Student interns, coordinated by
Toya Nelson of the Political Science
Department included Kianga Lillis,
Arlita Shirland and Jennifer Williams.
At 10:37 a.m., all members of the
House of Representatives were asked to
take their seats and cease all
conversation.
Introduced by Rep. Tumquest, Dr.
Cole received a proclamation
recognizing her excellent leadership of
the College and the Atlanta community.
"Knowing that it is our
responsibility collectively to guarantee
a quality education for everyone in this
state and indeed in this nation . . .
with your cooperation and the
cooperation of our governor - an
educational governor, we intend to
work with the public schools, so that
no child in Georgia will ever want and
not receive a quality education," said
Dr. Cole.
Dr. Cole accepted the proclamation,
citing the African proverb, "When
spider webs unite, they can even tie up
a lion."
There was also a Spelman College
display and a tour of the Capitol lor
participants.
The Spelman College Glee Club
and Jazz Tnscmblc wrapped up the day
with performances in the Rotunda of
the State Capitol Building.
Preparing Our
Sons For Manhood
By Dekia Moore
Today, there are more young
African-American men in prison than
there are in college, and problems such
as homicide, drug abuse, violence and
disease are all additional factors
contributing to our African-American
men becoming an endangered species.
That is why it is imperative for
African-American people to present
strategies to turn these threatening
statistics around.
Through community organizations,
service groups, and other positive
programs, African-Americans are faced
with the challenge of protecting and
preserving our men.
The women of Delta Sigma Theta
Sorority Inc., Eta Kappa Chapter,
recently sponsored a forum on campus
entitled "Summit III: Preparing Our
Sons for Manhood."
In recognition of the many
problems that our African-American
males face, the focus of the forum was
to re-emphasize the importance of role
models in the growth of our
preadolescent/adolescent males.
Movie clips from "Boyz-N-The-
Hood," starring rap artist Ice Cube,
were shown in representation of some
of the dilemmas that African-American
boys encounter. The movie’s message
urges the country to wake up and
realize the astounding conditions of the
"hood."
Mike Simms, a junior at
Morehouse College, was one of the
panelists who is presently taking an
active part in this struggle.
Simms serves as a mentor to
African-American boys in the
community in an effort to make a
positive difference. 'Through Simm’s
mentorship program, college male
students teach important values such as
education, responsibility and respect for
self and others.
Along with Simms, Kwesi James
was also a panelist representing another
mentoring program at the Florence
Jackson Academy located in Southwest
Atlanta. This program also focuses on
the development of African-American
youth through teaching African history
and culture, moral values and the
necessity for African-American
awareness.
James was accompanied by one of
his students, Karega Cooper, an
impressive sixth grader at the Martin
Luther Ling, Jr. Middle school.
Cooper was allowed to give his
own personal views on topics such as
AIDS, sexuality, and the role of the
family in the lives of African-American
boys.
GREAT! WOW! YEAH!
Spelman’s Counseling Services will sponsor small groups led by an
experienced therapist who facilitates the group prrx-ess.
Each group is designed to provide information, guidance and support while
encouraging independence and strategies for continuing personal growth.
ALL GROUPS ARE CONFIDENTIAL!
Register early!!
Groups begin in February and meet every week for a set number of
sessions.
All have a limited enrollment.
Most require an initial interview with the group leader.
Interested?
Get a registration form and send it to Box 324 or to Counseling Services
in MacVicar.
- Submitted by Spelman’s Counseling Services
Spelman Appoints
New Provost
After an extensive national search.
Dr. Glenda D. Price, has been
appointed as Provost and Professor of
Education at Spelman College.
Dr. Price comes to Spelman from
the University of Connecticut where,
since 1986, she has served as Dean of
the School of Allied Health
Professions.
Earning a Ph.D. in Educational
Psychology from Temple University,
Dr. Price held an appointment as
Professor of Clinical laboratory
Science at Temple University, and has
authored publications in the field of
clinical laboratory science and allied
health.
As chief academic officer ol
Spelman College, Dr. Price will be
responsible for the formulation and
implementation of academic planning
and policy; allocation of resources of
academic units; all matters pertaining to
the faculty; leadership to the College’s
continuing academic development, and
helping to maintain an atmosphere of
free communication and interaction
among faculty, students and staff.
Dr. Price expects to be able to join
the Spelman community in May.
In the intervening months,
Associate Provost Dr. Etta Z. Falconer
has agreed to serve as Interim Provost.
In announcing this appointment,
President Johnnetta B. Cole said, "I
look forward to working closely with
Dr. Price as she provides essential
leadership to our college’s continuing
academic development."
- from the Office of Public Relations