TO:
DCCCD Board Members
FROM:
Dr. Wright L. Lassiter, Jr.
DATE:
February 3, 2012
RE:
Weekend Memo #269
THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN LIBRARY
AND HERITAGE THOUGHTS
In keeping with our mission as an educational institution, I want to share a little-known
Black History fact and a series of quotations from African Americans that have significant
importance beyond the annual observance of African American History Month. I will share
other selected little-known facts in this commentary series throughout the month of February.
This pattern will be continued for Hispanic Heritage Month and other major
observances, with the objective of enhancing our cultural understanding.
The First African American Library
One of the nation’s first public libraries was launched on February 20, 1833, with the
founding of the Philadelphia Library Company of Colored Persons. The founders advanced a
tradition of African reading and writing over two thousand years old. When African nations
were conquered during the enslavement period, scholars and those entrusted with the keys of
knowledge were among the first people killed.
The oral historians (“griots”) who survived were able to decode the ghostly writings on
surfaces that the conquerors had not destroyed — pyramid walls, sealed temples, caves, and
ancient tablets. These ancient writings revealed that the tradition of African libraries dates
back to that of Egypt’s King Osymandys, circa 1240 BC. Much of what is known as “Greek
philosophy” is derived from the ancient religious systems known as “Egyptian mysteries.”
The first African American library founded in Philadelphia empowered the African
American through knowledge and in the words of an Egyptian inscription — “KNOW
THYSELF!”
Selected Related Quotations
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“Education is what you get when you read the fine print. Experience is what you get
when you don’t.” (Janis Weatherall Clark)
“Never let pride be your guiding principle.
themselves.” (Morgan Freeman)
Let your accomplishments speak for
•
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•
•
•
•
•
•
“Success isn’t measured by the position you reach in life; it’s measured by the obstacles
you overcome.” (Booker T. Washington)
“A man without knowledge of himself and his heritage is like a tree without roots.”
(Dick Gregory)
“We create our own destiny by the way we do things. We have to take advantage of
opportunities and be responsible for our choices.” (Benjamin Carson, M.D.)
“We must turn to each other and not on each other. Let nobody and nothing break your
spirit. Never surrender your dreams.” (Rev. Jesse Jackson)
“If a man is to be called a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo
painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep
streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, ‘Here lived a great
street sweeper who did his job well.’ ” (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.)
“Probably one of the most serious psychological handicaps young people have today is
the notion that it is ‘cool’ to be a non-achiever; that it is ‘hip’ to put down hard work in
school.” (Bill Cosby)
“Jump at the sun. You may not land on the sun, but at least you’ll be off the ground.”
(African American Traditional Saying)
“There’s a lot of talk about self-esteem these days. It seems pretty basic to me. If you
want to feel good about yourself, you’ve got to do things that you can be proud of.”
(Oseola McCarty)
Mrs. McCarty was an African American woman who spent her life earning money by
taking in washing in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. She surprised the world by donating
$150,000 for a scholarship program at The University of Southern Mississippi that she
and other African Americans could not attend.
•
•
“You can’t make someone else’s choices. You shouldn’t let someone else make yours.”
(Colin Powell)
“Sometimes I feel discriminated against, but it does not make me angry. It merely
astonishes me. Why would anyone deny themselves the pleasure of my company?”
(Zora Neale Hurston)
My customary comment — “food for thought” — captures the essence of the littleknown fact and the selected quotations. Next week’s commentary will include another littleknown fact.
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Eastfield College
Ensuring Student Success — Eastfield College Student Services held the annual College Fair on January
24th in the atrium. The event was co-sponsored by the Texas Association of College Registrars and
Admissions Officers and the Eastfield Transition Center/Office of Student Life. The purpose of
the College Fair is to give students the opportunity to meet with representatives from colleges and
universities to which they may wish to transfer and learn about transfer policies, admissions and
academic programs offered by the schools. Forty-two colleges and universities (including schools in
California, Arizona and Louisiana) participated — a significant increase from last year.
Approximately 450 students attended the event.
The Eastfield College Office of Student Life hosted Edgar “Shoboy” Sotello on January 26th.
Sotello, a deejay for MEGA 107.5 FM radio in Dallas, was the first of several motivational speakers
for the spring semester. He stated he believes in the power of education — and he has the
credentials to back it up, with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (2004) and a Master of Arts in
Organizational Leadership (2006). He uses his talents as an entertainer to encourage and motivate
students of all ages to continue to grow through educational opportunities.
Ensuring Institutional Effectiveness — On January 26th, the Garland Chamber of Commerce held its
80th Annual Banquet at the Hyatt Place Hotel in Garland. Attendees from Eastfield College
included Dr. Jean Conway (President), Dr. Adrian Douglas (Business Services), Don Baynham
(Institutional Effectiveness), Ro Castillo (Upward Bound), Maria Caratini-Prado (Community
Programs), Jeff Quan (Counseling Services), Duane Evans (Advisement) and Sharon Cook (College
Communications). Dr. Conway will be representing Eastfield College on the Garland Chamber of
Commerce 2012 Board of Directors as the first vice chair. Eastfield College was also a community
partner for the annual Mesquite Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet on January 27th. John
Emery, Eastfield College associate dean of Science and Physical Education, was recognized as the
outgoing chairman of the board. Other attendees from the college included Dr. Jean Conway
(President), Ro Castillo (Upward Bound), Captain Michael Horak (College Police), Karla Greer
(Educational Resources), Anastasia Lankford (Learning Assistance Center), Sharon Cook (College
Communications) and Javier Olguín and Dora Pacheco (Pleasant Grove Campus).
Meeting Community Educational Needs — On January 27th, Selena Stewart-Alexander, Eastfield College
Developmental Writing faculty member, participated in the Sharing of Wisdom Conference for girls
at the Kathlyn Joy Gilliam Collegiate Academy, a Dallas Independent School District early college
high school. Stewart-Alexander presented a workshop entitled “How to be Successful in College.”
At the conference (which exposed the 150 attendees to professional women from the Metroplex),
workshops were held ranging from health to career and from education to relationships.
Mountain View College
The Mountain View College Service Learning program hosted various nonprofit agencies on
February 1st. Agencies in attendance included Reading Partners, The SeniorSource, Camp Summit,
Volunteer North Texas, Dallas Independent School District AVID Tutor Program, Clean Up Oak
Cliff, Trinity River Mission, Seasons Hospice and Palliative Care, American Red Cross, River
Legacy, MVConnectors and MVC Conversation Partners. The purpose of the event was to provide
general information regarding the Mountain View College Service Learning program. Last semester,
67 students contributed 1,515 volunteer hours. Dr. Anne Grissom is the Mountain View College
Service Learning coordinator.
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The Mountain View College Music Department will host the first spring concert of its 2011-2012
concert series, featuring ENVISO (formerly the Irving Symphony Orchestra) under the direction of
Maestro Hector Guzman. In an all-Mozart program, ENVISO will perform a program containing
two of the great composer’s masterpieces. With its wit and spark, The Marriage of Figaro has become
one of Mozart’s best-known operas. The short, but brilliant, overture captures the energy and joy of
the plot to follow. Mozart’s Symphony No. 39 completes the program. The concert will take place
on February 10th at 8:00 p.m. in the Mountain View College Performance Hall and is free of charge
and open to public.
In celebration of Black History Month, Mountain View College is holding a letter-writing contest
that will run through February 10th. The college’s theme for Black History Month is: Our Legacy:
Through Music, Sports and the Spoken Word. During February, numerous events will be held
throughout the campus, including a student forum and special guest speakers who will enlighten,
enthuse and motivate. Upcoming speakers include Michael Downs, former Dallas Cowboy; Dwaine
Caraway, Dallas City Councilman - District 4; and a host of others. For a complete list of scheduled
activities, visit www.mountainviewcollege.edu.
District Office
Robert Young, DCCCD legal counsel, attended the Texas Association of Community College
Attorneys (TACCA) 14th annual conference in Austin on January 27th. Almost 100 people
attended this year’s conference — the largest number to date. The conference was held in the
offices of the Texas Association of School Boards. Participants offered many positive remarks
about the facility and the conference program. Young and Maria Miller, his legal assistant, were
instrumental in establishing TACCA more than 14 years ago to serve the needs of in-house Texas
community college counsels, firms that represent those colleges, as well as college administrators.
The conference logistics team, Miller and Marilyn Herridge (administrative/legal assistant), also
attended and were heavily involved in the success of the conference. Additionally, Miller serves as
secretary/treasurer of TACCA.
Brookhaven College
Brookhaven College Government Professor Ahad Hayaud-Din recently received an email from a
former student requesting a new letter of recommendation. Michael Hartman, former Brookhaven
College student, had previously been provided a reference for his application for a scholarship at
The University of Texas at Arlington. Hartman received a $1,100 scholarship to study abroad and is
just days away from leaving for two weeks of study in Sydney, Australia. The newest letter of
recommendation was needed for the Archer Program in Washington, DC. Hartman has been
selected to apply for the program, which allows students to spend a semester in the nation’s capital
taking government and policy classes while participating in an internship full-time. Though the
number of interns varies each semester, competition for the spots is keen, with students from all
University of Texas universities competing.
The spring Brookhaven College Open Book Project kicked off with a presentation by Jeffrey
Zaslow, co-author of The Last Lecture (with Randy Pausch). Zaslow is a columnist for The Wall Street
Journal and has worked with a number of famous figures in writing books — most recently, Captain
Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger and Representative Gabrielle Giffords. Zaslow shared his personal
experiences about gathering inspirational stories and working with Randy Pausch. This fall, there
were 163 course sections that signed on to use The Last Lecture — an almost 50 percent increase over
last fall.
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The Dallas Observer arts blog pays tribute to Du Chau, Brookhaven College adjunct art professor, for
his exhibition at Kirk Hopper Fine Art gallery. The writer noted Chau’s balance of the organic and
the modern, attributing his balance in the piece, “Inch by Inch, (to Laura Porter),” to Chau’s own
balance of science and art. The piece is a tribute to his friend Laura Porter, a fellow artist who
passed away. The DCCCD Foundation lists Du Chau as one its student success stories, as a past
Fordham Memorial Award in Visual Arts recipient when he was a student at Brookhaven College.
Chau is just one of five former art students now teaching in the Brookhaven College School of the
Arts, and one of 21 currently teaching art in universities, colleges and high schools around the
country.
Continuing a long tradition of community building at Brookhaven College, the Emerald Awards for
2012 brought together employees from across the campus to recognize colleagues and to have a
good laugh. Taking on the tongue-twisting tales of Dr. Seuss, each of the college’s award winners
had a special story read extolling his/her virtues. Dozens of other employees were honored for their
longevity at the college and within the District, with Ray Attner, Brookhaven College business
professor, receiving a special nod for 40 years of service in the DCCCD.
El Centro College
Dr. Claudette Williams, Vice President, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission
on Colleges, made an advisory visit to El Centro College on January 26-27th. During her stay, she
met with the Executive Team, the accreditation liaison, the compliance certification chair, the
Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) Committee, the director of Distance Education and members of
the Planning, Assessment and Research Office. Having reviewed the El Centro College QEP and
the Compliance Certification Report, Dr. Williams provided detailed feedback, constructive criticism
and deserved compliments to all those with whom she met. The advisory visit was very successful.
El Centro College has been implementing several practices to improve the educational experience of
its employees and students. Through practices, such as free DART passes for all full-time students,
reduced copying and increased recycling, the college has been recognized by the Association for the
Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). AASHE Executive Director Paul
Rowland stated, “On behalf of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher
Education, I would like to commend El Centro College - DCCCD on completing the Sustainability
Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) reporting process and earning a STARS Silver
Rating. Compiling this information is a significant achievement that I am sure included a
commitment of staff time and effort. AASHE celebrates this success with you as it demonstrates El
Centro College - DCCCD’s commitment to sustainability.”
On January 26th, the El Centro College Transition Center hosted the Texas Association of
Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers College Fair in the Wright L. Lassiter, Jr. Student
Center. Forty-three recruiters from in-state and out-of-state universities participated in the event.
The College Fair provided students a great opportunity to learn about transfer requirements,
scholarships, admissions etc. Comments by the university recruiters were very positive regarding the
fair and the number of El Centro College students who attended. The event was coordinated by
Porscheanni Baker, student service assistant in the College Transition Center.
North Lake College
Our Students — On February 1st, the Student Life Center held the Spring 2012 Welcome Back Party
for North Lake College students. Participants were provided the opportunity to visit with
representatives from 18 clubs and organizations, 10 student and academic service areas, and the
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League of Women Voters. The League registered about 50 students and gave Blazer Bucks to those
who registered. Approximately 500 students enjoyed music, pizza and cookies while learning about
the resources and leadership opportunities available to them.
Our Community — North Lake College hosted the DCCCD’s 3rd Annual African American Male
Academic Bowl - “Aiming for the Stars” on January 28th. A total of 32 teams competed in the
Jeopardy-style competition between 4th/5th grade students and 6th/7th grade students. North Lake
College sponsored the Thomas Haley Elementary School’s 5th grade team, which represented itself
well, winning the championship in its category. Team members received iPads and early admission
certificates to North Lake College. Others attending the event were Senator Royce West, Irving
Independent School District Superintendent Dr. Dana Bedden, DCCCD Chancellor Dr. Wright
Lassiter, The University of Texas at Dallas President Dr. David Daniel and North Lake College
Interim President Christa Slejko. Approximately 100 volunteers assisted with the details of the
Academic Bowl.
Several North Lake College staff members were on hand to hear Irving Mayor Beth Van Duyne
acknowledge elected officials, discuss business growth and congratulate the Irving Heritage House
on its 100th anniversary. North Lake College Interim President Christa Slejko was joined by staff
members Paul Kelemen, Martha Hughes, Arthur James, Gina Federer, Steven Richards, Steve
Schellenberg and Carlene Ross at the 2012 State of the City Address — “embracing our
past…envisioning our future” — presented at the Irving Convention Center in Las Colinas. Mayor
Van Duyne addressed the capital improvements, public safety and neighborhood improvements of
the state and national award-winning city.
Our Employees — The North Lake College Health Services Office sponsored National Wear Red
Day® on February 3rd to raise awareness about heart disease, encourage support for the fight
against the disease and update everyone about community “heart byte” activities occurring during
the month of February — American Heart Month. All Blazers were encouraged to show support by
“going red” on the 3rd.
Richland College
Sustainable Community Building — “Economic Viability” — Dr. Kay Eggleston, Richland College
interim president, recently presented the inaugural Richland College Garland Campus/Dallas
County Manufacturers’ Association (DCMA) Community Partnership Awards during the 80th
Annual Garland Chamber of Commerce Banquet. Ramon Otero and Dan Brown from the Hatco
leadership team accepted the DCMA Partnership Award. Susan Bethel, Dallas County performance
and training specialist, accepted the Community Partnership Award.
Student Success — The Learning Center at Richland College hosted a Service Learning Agency Fair
last week. Representatives from a number of agencies shared information about projects and
programs that impact the community in positive ways. Service learning integrates meaningful
community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic
responsibility and strengthen communities.
Employee Success — The Richland College Thunderwater Organizational Learning Institute (TOLI)
Faculty Professional Development Program received Recognition of Excellence from the Texas
Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) on January 6th in Austin. Richland College’s Dr.
Jacqueline Bryant (English professor), Michelle Navarro (history professor), Nancy Kammerer
(TOLI associate dean) and Dr. Kay Eggleston (interim president), presented key elements of the
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college’s professional development program and responded to questions. Dr. Raymund Paredes,
commissioner of higher education, and THECB board members were highly complimentary of
Richland College’s institution-wide approaches and deployment of professional development.
Institutional Effectiveness — The Richland College Statway team recently attended the Carnegie
Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching’s 2012 Statway Winter Institute in Austin. Meetings
were held in three states (Texas, Florida, California) and provided the pilot colleges the opportunity
to review fall student performance data and discuss potential project enhancements. Richland
College’s Statway team, composed of faculty members Eleanor Browne, Saeid Darabady, Judi Nam
and Minkyong Tinker, and administrators Thales Georgiou and Fonda Vera, participated in the
institute funded by a Carnegie Foundation grant.
LeCroy Center
LeCroy Center Provost Pam Quinn has been invited to serve on a new commission regarding state
regulations for distance learning, organized by the American Public and Land-grant Universities.
Quinn will be working with the chair, former U.S. Secretary of Education Richard Riley, and the
other commission members. This new commission will focus on distance learning state regulations
and authorizations. The official announcement will come at a later date; however, Quinn states
that this issue is now being escalated to a national forum, which will have implications on how
students are enrolled in online courses.
Becky Stinson and Jami Woolley (Dallas TeleLearning) recently presented two sessions on the
Digital Resource Repository at the DCCCD Visions of Excellence new faculty orientation at
Richland College. The Repository is a catalog of video clips and interactive activities produced by
the LeCroy Center. Samples of popular Repository video clips, including The Western Myth and
Circular Flow Model, may be viewed by clicking the link below. These two- to seven-minute clips
provide a digital boost for hybrid, online or face-to-face courses.
http://www.telelearning.dcccd.edu/Courseware/Pages/Digital%20Resource%20Repository.aspx
The LeCroy Center held it’s Spring 2012 All-Staff meeting on January 31st in the LeCroy
Conference Center. Three employees (beginning retirement this month) were honored for 45
combined years of service: Karen McClendon (30 years), Susan Hackett (10 years) and Mike Lowe
(5 years). Years of Service awards were also presented to Sal Chavez (20 years) and Mary Bernal,
Vivian Thomas, Grace Rutherford, Vanessa Harris and Kathy McFatter (5 years). DCCCD
Chancellor Dr. Wright Lassiter also spoke at the meeting reminding employees of the importance of
their continued marketing of best values for our students across the state and the nation, economic
growth for the state, social mobility for the next generation of students, and opportunities that
include doorways to assist students in continued success and completion.
STARLINK Professional Development Programs will present “eLearning Innovations: Curriculum
Development for Online Courses,” a free streaming web conference, February 13-27th. The
program will not only look at the key elements of online curriculum development, but will show
what several colleges and universities are doing. Features include the DCCCD’s new learning
management system, Ready to Go; Governors State University’s Online Faculty Certification; and
cloud computing trends. A number of content and presentation strategies will also be presented.
Local DCCCD speakers include Audra Barrett, associate vice president of instruction (Dallas
TeleCollege) and Dr. John Barrett, English, British literature, and technical writing professor
(Eastfield College). Other speakers include Dr. Tina Stavredes, vice president of Online Education,
Ultimate Medical Academy; Charles Nolley, director of the Division of Digital Learning and Media
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Design, Governors State University; Dr. Alexandra Pickett, associate director, SUNY Learning
Network; and Dr. Curtis Bonk, professor of Education, Indiana University.
Cedar Valley College
On February 1st, the Cedar Valley College Office of Student Life kicked off the annual Black
History Month celebration with guest speaker Dr. Pamela Hill, adjunct professor of cultural studies.
Hill shared inspirational stories about some of the great African American women in U.S. history.
Black History Month activities will continue with speakers Clifton Johnson, vice president of
investments at JPMorgan Chase & Co. (February 9th) and Ya’Ke Smith, award-winning filmmaker
and professor of art and history at The University of Texas at Arlington (February 23rd).
A column by Shaunte Allen, Cedar Valley College professor of developmental reading, appeared in
the January 27th edition of The Dallas Morning News. Allen, a volunteer columnist for the
Community Voices section of the newspaper, recapped her experience marching in the Lancaster
Martin Luther King, Jr. parade and the lasting effects of the civil rights movement. To view the
column, go to http://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/local-voices/headlines/20120127-shaunteallen-and-so-i-marched-.ece. (See attached column.)
This week, the Commercial Music program at Cedar Valley College presented the smooth sounds of
guitarist Rhett Butler. Next week’s special guests will be the Mike Bogle Trio. Performances take
place each Wednesday from 1:00 to 1:50 p.m. in the Cedar Valley College Performance Hall
(Building E). All concerts are free of charge and open to the public.
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