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Alumni Newsletter | Summer 2009

A NOTE FROM OUR DIRECTOR

Dear Alumni,

As the 2008-2009 academic year comes to a close I am proud to say that OMSA has had quite a successful year marked with milestones, accomplishments, celebrations and the graduation of 978 students of color from the University of Chicago. This year we welcomed 485 undergraduates of color to campus in the fall of 2008, were privileged with the keynote address of Rev. Joseph Lowery during MLK week, worked with students to complete the 5710 mural project as a part of the one year anniversary of 5710, welcomed more than 30 alumni of color back to campus during alumni weekend and wished our graduating students of color success in their future endeavors at our graduation celebration. The university at large also made great strides in its diversity initiatives with the launching of the Bias Response Team, the launch of Provost's Career Enhancement Postdoctoral Scholarships, and the conferment of the first Oliver Cromwell Cox-Ernest Everett Just Award, which consists of a $500 prize to the undergraduate senior honors thesis that best exemplifies the aspirations and achievements of Oliver Cromwell Cox and Ernest Everett Just. The summer will be filled with preparations for the coming academic year as we review our progress and develop plans for accomplishing the work that is still to be done. We look forward to continuing to share our news with you and to hearing your thoughts about our updates provided via the Alumni Newsletter. It would be very valuable for us to hear from you. If you would like to provide feedback, please contact Ronnie Rios, Senior Associate Director at rrios@uchicago.edu.

Sincerely,

Ana Vázquez, Deputy Dean of Students in the University and Director, Office of Multicultural Student Affairs

SPRING QUARTER

Allies Program

The quarterly Allies Program that is co-hosted with the LBGTQ Programming Office was held on Friday, April 24th as part of the registered student organization, Queers and Associates, Pride Week. Allies is part of an initiative spearheaded by both offices to provide a dialogue for the intersections of both LGBTQ and of-color identities. This Allies Program was particularly impressive as we hosted, along with the group Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority Inc., the renowned speaker Cherríe Moraga for an intimate reception before her talk at University of Chicago. We hosted over 25 guests at 5710 for a roundtable discussion with Moraga. Both offices were delighted to have students; staff, faculty as well as community members attend this unique collaborative program.

For more information on Cherríe Moraga, please visit www.cherriemoraga.com.  

C.O.R.E.-Conversations on Race and Ethnicity

As part of OMSA's celebration of Asian American Pacific Islander heritage month, on April 16th OMSA co-hosted interdisciplinary artists Kristina Wong, along with the Center for the Study of Race, Politics, and Culture as part of their Artist-in-Resident Program. As part of the quarterly CORE series, where students are able to discuss issues pertaining to race and ethnicity, Wong discussed how she became an artist as well as how her performances intersect with her Asian American identity. Students were able to ask questions about her past and upcoming performance and Wong showed some clips of her most well known artistic pieces.

For more information on Kristina Wong, please visit www.kristinawong.com.

APIA Heritage Month

During the month of May, OMSA celebrates the achievements and contributions made by Asian Americans during the annual Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration. This year OMSA created a media marketing campaign that highlighted the numerous contributions of Asian Americans such as 2008 Nobel Prize winner and U of C faculty member, Yoichiro Nambu, as well as U of C alumnus, Madison Nguyen, who currently serves as the Councilwoman of the City of San Jose. In addition to the CORE program with Kristina Wong, OMSA hosted a dinner and movie with our students as we watched a film that deals with issues of identity, immigration, and family ties for a talented high school senior who has rejected his Filipino heritage titled The Debut. OMSA ended the celebration with an outing to the Chicago Public Library's Chinatown Branch as they hosted a Chinese painting, calligraphy, and paper cutting session.

Graduate and Professional Student of Color Mixer

OMSA's last Graduate and Professional Student of Color Mixer for the school year was held as usual in the Community Lounge at 5710. We were pleased to welcome students from divisions across the University. Faces both new and familiar socialized, networked, and enjoyed refreshments, snacks, and music. Old connections were revived and new ones formed, again enhancing community among graduate and professional students of color.

Diversity in Academe

OMSA was very excited to present this collaboration with the Career Advising and Planning Services office. Two Ph.D. alums of the University and three advanced Ph.D. candidates in the University engaged in candid discussion of the current state of diversity in academe. Much good advice and mentorship was provided to graduate students of color who attended. Our guest panelists were:

Jamila Celestine-Michener, Ph.D. Candidate in Political Science
Aida Giachello, Founder and Director of the Midwest Latino Health Research, Training and Policy Center, UIC
Christina Gómez, Professor of Sociology and Latino and Latin American Studies, NEIU
Darryl Heller, Ph.D. Candidate in History
Laurence Ralph, Ph.D. Candidate in Anthropology

CMC-Chicago Multicultural Connection

The CMC mentoring program ended the year with a BBQ on May 17th. Mentor, Genny Castillo and mentee, Angie Evins, were awarded mentor and mentee of the year for the 2008-2009 cycle. The program, with over 80 students enrolled, sponsored a variety of events over the course of the year including dinner at Pizano's in the fall, a game night, and a faculty talk by Dr. Thomas Fisher. The program coordinators are looking forward to another exciting year of mentoring this fall.

The program is seeking more alum to serve as mentors for the 2009-2010 academic year!

The Chicago Multicultural Connection (CMC), a career-focused mentoring program, matches undergraduate students of color with alumni, faculty, staff or graduate students who share similar career interests and goals. Along with one-on-one mentorship, the program provides career and academic workshops as well as social and cultural events throughout the year.

For more information or to sign-up as a mentor, please contact Robin Graham via email at: rgraham1@uchicago.edu or visit omsa.uchicago.edu/mentorship.

Graduation Celebration

On June 11th, graduates of the college and graduate divisions, students, and their families and friends joined OMSA for "Daring to Dream and Destined to Achieve"-a graduation celebration for students of color at the University of Chicago. To help celebrate this joyous event of graduation, we invited keynote speaker, Ms. Barbara Bowles. An alumna from the Booth School of Business, Ms. Bowles, '71 became the first African American female equity manager in Chicago when she established the Kenwood Group and where she has served Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Ms. Bowles alongside our student speaker Ruth Anne Whitfield, AB '09, encouraged the graduating students to continue to strive for excellence not only individually but to contribute to the success of the multi-ethnic collective.

5710 Mural Exhibit

On April 22 members of the University of Chicago community including students, alumni, community members, and senior administrators gathered at 5710 to see the completed Mural Project for the first time. Students, staff, and artist Halima Cassells worked tirelessly for 8 days to complete the 8 panel mural that surrounds the 5710 reception desk. Guests had the opportunity to hear from students involved in the project who shared the personal meaning of the mural to them and their communities and the reasons they value the mural project. A full description of the symbolism represented in the mural as well as photos of the unveiling will be displayed on the OMSA website in the coming months.

Alumni Weekend

Alumni weekend welcomed many alumni back to campus from the classes of the 1940s to the class of 2008. Guests at OMSA's reception at 5710 S. Woodlawn enjoyed the opportunity to meet several graduating 4th year students, several senior level administrators and fellowship with one another. For some it was the first time returning to campus for others it was their first time visiting 5710. Those in attendance had an opportunity to hear about some of the work OMSA has done over the years as well as the university's diversity related initiatives.

REGISTERED STUDENT ORGANIZATION PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

ACSA Cultural Show- I Will Marry When I Want

The African and Caribbean Students Association (ACSA) Cultural Show was held on Friday, May 1st and featured a student remake of the 1977 play by Ngugi wa Thiong'o and Ngugi wa Mirii entitled, I Will Marry When I Want. The play looks at post-colonial Africa and how neo-colonialism has served to benefit imperialists rather than Africans. The story is of a Kenyan farm laborer, Kiguunda, and his wife Wangeci and their efforts to protect the small bit of land they own from imperialists who want to buy it and build an insecticide factory on it. The original performance of this landmark play led to the detention of its author for a year without trial by the Kenyan government. The student cast played to a full venue at the University of Chicago's International House. It is estimated that over 200 people attended this intriguing performance. Second-year student and ACSA Cultural Show Chair, Mutisya Leonard, directed.

OBS Cultural Show- Scarlet Roses

On May 2nd, the Organization of Black Students hosted their annual cultural show entitled Scarlet Roses. This production infused familiar themes of marriage and infidelity, homosexuality in the African-American community, promiscuity, and single-motherhood. It was refreshing to see students emerge from the Regenstein and come to life on stage. One of the many highlights included an emotionally charged lip-synched performance of And I am Telling You by Jennifer Hudson as the wife expressed her disdain for her husband's betrayal.

Organization of Latin American Students Cultural Show- Veronica's Quinceañera

Titled Veronica's Quinceañera, the OLAS 2009 Cultural Show celebrated the traditions and the meanings behind this coming of age ceremony held on a girl's fifteenth birthday in many Latin American cultures. The show highlighted the significance of the Quinceañera, to both the birthday girl and her family. Traditions were questioned and challenged as generational differences surfaced during the planning process of the party. Despite the differences, the coordination of the festivities continued and Veronica's birthday party was a huge success. Her party featured a wide variety of dances including Salsa, Maculele, Bachata and of course, the traditional father and daughter dance.  

Chavez/Huerta Week

University of Chicago's Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán (MEChA,) hosted its annual Chavez/Huerta Week from April 6th to April 10th. MEChA discussed this week as a "commemoration of the lives of Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta, two individuals whose fight for justice for the Latino community of the 60s continues to inspire the Latino communities of today." This year was an especially notable celebration as MEChA hosted Dolores Huerta as the keynote speaker. In 1962 she, along with Cesar Chavez, founded the United Farm Workers' Association, one of the first successful farm worker unions. Along with the keynote speech, MEChA also hosted the Latino Union of Chicago as they discussed "Immigrant Bashing: Human and Civil Rights Violations," along with a panel discussions on the meaning of Chicana/o Identity and The Dream Act.

For more information on Dolores Huerta, please visit www.greatwomen.org/women.php?action=viewone&id=81.

PanAsia

This year PanAsia hosted its annual PanAsia Week from April 18-29, 2009 at the University of Chicago. Amidst the many events held by PanAsia was a collaboration with the School of Social Service Administration entitled "Immigration and Social Justice." Two prominent programs that were held during that week included hosting Wong Fu Productions as they premiered new and unreleased works during a campus film screening. Wong Fu Productions is an internet sensation that has won several awards including the 2008 Cannes International Film Festival official selection for their short films. In addition, PanAsia hosted a Taiko Drumming Drum Troupe and Hindi Film Society screening along with the So Real Cru from MTV's American Best Dance Crew.

For more information on Wong Fu Productions, please visit www.wongfuproductions.com.

WHAT'S NEW

Race Studies Grant Symposium & Minority Graduate Student Association Race Conference

This year OMSA collaborated with the Minority Graduate Student Association (MGSA) to host the Race Studies Grant Symposium. The annual symposium was held on Saturday, May 23rd as part of the annual Eyes on the Mosaic Conference hosted by MGSA. This year, the Race Studies Grant showcased seven upcoming scholars that discussed their current research projects which ranged from issues of lack of Black female visibility in theater to the formation of a politicized Puerto Rican identity vis-à-vis a high school structure. The name of the grant was recently changed to the Research Initiatives Grant which aims to support undergraduate and graduates/professional students of color as they embark on original research related to race and/or ethnicity within the City of Chicago or in higher education. For more information, please visit OMSA's website at www.omsa.uchicago.edu.

Edible Garden

One of the most recent initiatives at 5710 is the creation of a sustainable/edible garden as a part of the Civic knowledge project of the university. This project is a partnership between university and community lead by Professor of Humanities, Bart Schultz. The garden will be named after activist, community leader and university alumnus, Timuel Black who has been involved with project for some time. Mr. Black recently visited the garden site at 5710 to provide his ideas and suggestions for the design of the garden. Students will help to harvest food and herbs grown in the garden that will be donated to local community organizations in Hyde Park.

ALUMNI FEATURES: HANDY L. LINDSEY Jr.

This edition's featured alumnus is Mr. Handy L. Lindsey who graduated from The College in 1975 and from both the School of Social Service Administration and the Booth School of Business in 1980. Mr. Lindsey was nominated to be featured in the OMSA Summer Alumni Newsletter by Regina Dixon-Reeves, alumna from 2001. Her nomination reads:

Handy has spent thirty+ years in professional philanthropy. Prior to joining The Cameron Foundation in 2004 as its President, he served as Executive Director and Treasurer of the Field Foundation of Illinois from 1988 until 1997 when he was named President. Prior to that, he was Assistant Director of the Chicago Community Trust. From 1980 to 1986, he was Staff Associate, Senior Staff Associate and Executive Director of the Chicago Area Foundation for Legal Services. He has also worked as a consultant to the United Way of Metropolitan Chicago and the corporate contributions program of Illinois Bell Telephone (the predecessor of Ameritech).

Handy was instrumental in the development of the East St. Louis Community Foundation, where he served as interim Executive Director in 1985-6. He served on the board and the executive committee of the Donors Forum of Chicago and in 1995 completed a two-year term as chairman of that board. His service to other civic organizations has included: the board and Management Committee of the Council on Foundations, the board of the Chicago Annenberg Challenge, the Leadership Council for Metropolitan Open Communities, the Chicago Zoological Society/ Brookfield Zoo, the Chapin Hall Center for Children at the University of Chicago, the Southeastern Council of Foundations, and Grantmakers for Effective Organizations. Handy studied at the University of Chicago where he earned an M.B.A. from the Graduate School of Business, an M.A. from the School of Social Services Administration and an undergraduate degree in Sociology. In 1997 while continuing full-time employment with the Field Foundation, Handy returned to the School of Social Service Administration to undertake work toward a Ph.D., for which he completed all required course work, but withdrew from that pursuit in March 2000 prior to completing the dissertation. Handy has two grown children, Josef and Marshall. He is married to Kristin R. (Anderson) Lindsey.

WHAT'S NEXT

O-Week Upcoming Programs 2009

Recently, the College Programming Office announced changes to O-Week 2009. With this in mind, we would like to announce the upcoming OMSA O-Week activities:

The OMSA Alumni Newsletter is a joint project of the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs and the University of Chicago Alumni Association. Please send your comments and suggestions to omsa@uchicago.edu.