The Office of African-American Affairs kicked off a celebration of its 30th anniversary Tuesday with a presentation by University archivist Ervin L. Jordan, Jr. This is the first in a series of events to take place this academic year.
The OAAA is celebrating "30 years of advocacy in confronting issues of race, justice and equality," OAAA Associate Dean Sylvia Terry said. "Thirty years as a conscience reminding to us of what is right, what is moral and what is just; 30 years as a visionary shaping and projecting of the future, and thirty years of making positive differences at the University."
Joined by alumni, students, faculty, staff and community members, the OAAA offered a presentation by Jordan on the history of the organization at the University.
"Prof. Jordan will tell us what we need to know and what we need to treasure," said Maurice Apprey, interim dean of the OAAA.
Jordan presented a chronological outline of the leadership and development of the OAAA, noting that the theme of his remarks was "generations."
Jordan charted the progress of the deans of the OAAA at the University, from the foundation of the organization under William M. Harris in 1976 to the eighteen-year reign of Dean Rick Turner.
"[The OAAA] is an indispensable cornerstone to the University," Jordan said. "If this link breaks the entire chain will shatter."
Jordan fielded questions at the end of his presentation.
When asked what undergraduates should do to facilitate progress at the University, Jordan said the most important thing they can do is to graduate.
"By all means graduate," he said. "Get your degree ... If you get that U.Va. degree, then you can make changes. U.Va. alumni affect change. Getting that degree is really key, getting here is a small part of the struggle."
According to Terry, Robert Bland, the first black undergraduate to receive a degree from the University, is scheduled to speak at the OAAA's next presentation in January.
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