3/1/2004

Contact: K.E. Schwab  -- 724-738-2199;  e-mail: karl.schwab@sru.edu

SRU HONORS 20 AFRICAN AMERICANS FOR LEADERSHIP

AT BROWN V. BOARD OF EDUCATION PACESETTER EVENT

             SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – Slippery Rock University honored 20 of its African-American alumni, faculty, staff, retirees and former trustees for their leadership and help in creating an atmosphere of diversity on campus and in organizations across the nation in a newly initiated Pacesetter Awards program.

          The awards, presented at a recent luncheon, are in connection with the university’s semester-long Brown V. Board of Education series celebrating 50 years of progress and struggle related to the landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling establishing the end to separate but equal public schools.

           Saluted as Pacesetters for their leadership, drive and initiative were:Dr. FrancisBarnes, a 1971 SRU African-American graduate, recently named Pennsylvania secretary of education by Gov. Edward Rendell; Alvin Byrd, the first African American trustee at SRU; Alfreda Goff, a 1965 graduate and first African-American official in the National Collegiate Athletic Association; Ronald Hunt, 1973 graduate and catalyst for creation of the first minority scholarship at SRU; Gary Lancaster, 1971 and first African American Western District of Pennsylvania District Court judge; Eric Holmes, 1993 graduate and first president-elect of the SRU Alumni Association; Dr. Mabel Paige, the first African-American female trustee at SRU; Vivian Stringer, 1970 graduate and first female African American to serve as an NCAA Division I coach, now at Rutgers; Margie Byrd Walker, SRU’s first African-American graduate from the class of 1954; and Timothy P. Wilson, first African- American president of the SRU Student Government Association.

The Faculty/Staff Category saw Harry Budd, retired, honored as the first African American faculty member in Freshman Studies; Dr. Charles Curry, honored as the University’s first African-American vice president; Eugene Franklin, honored as the highest ranking academic officer, assistant vice president; Dr. Thomas Gaither, a professor of biology honored for his work as a Freedom Rider; Rev. Rev.Will Hadden as the first to formalize the SRU Gospel Choir;Dwight Greer, honored as the first African-American director of minority affairs; Judith Lampkins, honored as the first African American to serve as the university’s affirmative action officer; Edward Norris, honored as the university’s first African-American faculty member; Gary Perkins, the first African-American director of the Act 101 Program; and Dr. Jay Harper, honored as the first African-American academic associate dean.

PN, WPN, PgN, PR, AA, S