Syracuse University welcomes African American, Latino alumni back to campus for Coming Back Together VII

Syracuse University welcomes African American, Latino alumni back to campus for Coming Back Together VIISeptember 17, 2002Mark Owczarskimaowczar@syr.edu

Hundreds of Syracuse University alumni will return to campus Sept 19-22 for Coming Back Together (CBT) VII, the University’s pioneering triennial reunion program for African American and Latino alumni that has served as a model for colleges and universities nationwide.

This year’s event features 34 professional workshops, mentoring for young alumni and current students, school and college receptions, a film premiere, a concert, an art exhibit and a gala dinner-dance.

“We have a very exciting weekend planned for our alumni and for our students,” says Larry Martin, assistant vice president for program development. “It is great to see just how significant an impact our African American and Latino students and alumni have had on the SU community and the greater global community.”

A variety of professional workshops will be held throughout the first two days of Coming Back Together VII. These workshops bring alumni back not only to learn but also to teach, as alumni presenters share their knowledge and experience with fellow alumni and current students. Sessions cover a range of subjects, from running a small business, to a successful sales career, to the performing arts, all from the perspective of other African Americans and Latinos.

On Sept. 19, the Paul Robeson Performing Arts Company will perform “From the Cotton Club to Motown: A Musical Revue” beginning at 9 p.m. in the Schine Student Center’s Goldstein Auditorium.

In addition to workshops, several school, college and other receptions will be held on Friday throughout the day. At 5 p.m. on Sept. 20, Chancellor Kenneth A. Shaw and Mary Ann Shaw, associate of the Chancellor will hold a reception for alumni and students at the Chancellor’s Residence (the event will be held in the Carrier Dome in the event of inclement weather).

Friday night, the first of two screenings of the short film, “Tales of a Bugged-Out Black Chick” will be held at 7 p.m. in Kittredge Auditorium in Huntington Beard Crouse Hall. The 23-minute autobiographical film of Lorraine “Echo” Allen ’85 was shown at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival. The second showing will be Saturday, Sept 21 at 4 p.m. in Kittredge Auditorium.

On Friday night, hip-hop artist Tweet will perform at 8 p.m. in the Schine Student Center’s Goldstein Auditorium. This exciting new artist, whose debut album, “Southern Hummingbird,” was described as a “sultry and soulful exploration of the heart,” will be fronted by rising musical star Dani Stevenson. Tickets to the concert are $30 and $20 for students and are available at the Schine Student Center Box Office.

After the concert, “Steppin’ into the Past Oldies Jam,” with music provided by New York City disc jockeys RAH-LO and K.O., will follow. The event will also feature guest appearances by former WAER and WJPZ disc jockeys from the 1960s through the 1990s.

On Sept. 21, a special reception will be held at the Community Folk Art Gallery (2223 E. Genesee Street) hosted by curator Juan Cruz ’85. The occasion is an exhibition of work by the Sankofa Piecemakers, a circle of 35 Syracuse women who practice the art of quilting.

Also that afternoon, Dwight T. Elliott ’94 G96, a motivational speaker and martial arts instructor, will lead two hour-long workout sessions, one devoted to cardio kickboxing at 9 a.m. and another to Tai Chi at 2 p.m.

The CBT dinner-dance will be held Saturday night from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the OnCenter in downtown Syracuse.

Admission to the CBT workshops and the film screenings is free; the $260 CBT registration fee covers the dinner-dance, and other by invitation only events.

For more information on CBT VII events, call 443-4556 or consult the Office of Program Development Web page at http://sumweb.syr.edu/progdev/cbtvii.htm.