SU welcomes African-American and Latino alumni as they return to campus for Coming Back Together 8September 08, 2005Carol K. Masiclatclkim@syr.edu
The legacy continues – and so does the fun! That is the message of Coming Back Together 8, Syracuse University’s reunion weekend for African American and Latino alumni, which takes place Sept. 15-18. Several hundred alumni will converge on the SU campus for three days of workshops, anniversary celebrations, art presentations and other special events. One of the largest and most well known events of its kind, CBT leads the country in a proud tradition of producing successful reunions for alumni of color.
CBT 8’s featured events include art exhibitions, a film premiere, the SU vs. University of Virginia football game, a concert by R & B artists Kem and Vivian Green, and a gala dinner dance. Attendees will also meet Chancellor Nancy Cantor, tour the newly completed building of Martin J. Whitman School of Management and meet its new dean, Melvin T. Stith.
Held every three years, CBT is a chance for SU alumni to re-establish contact with old classmates, interact with current students and celebrate the accomplishments they have made since graduation. This year’s reunion chairs are Diane Weathers ’71 (left), editor-in-chief of Essence magazine, and Sam Zamarripa G’78 (below), the first American of Mexican descent ever to serve in the Georgia State Senate.
“We’re incredibly excited about Coming Back Together 8. It’s exhilarating to have so many talented and successful African American and Latino alumni on campus to reconnect with the University,” says Larry Martin, associate vice president of program development. “CBT 8 will be the highlight of the year.”
For those interested in enriching their lives through career, culture, education or personal finance, CBT 8 offers many opportunities to learn and grow. Distinguished panelists will lead a total of 42 workshop sessions that cover topics on professional development, post graduate studies, politics, society, culture, family and investing. All workshops are free and open to the public.
A special highlight of CBT 8 is a panel discussion by alumni of the SU football team who participated in the football boycott of 1970. Titled, “The Syracuse University Football Boycott of 1970 Revisited: Our Historical Perspective, 35 Years Later”, the discussion marks the 35th anniversary of the boycott and will explore sports and race relations at SU in 1970 and over the last 35 years. Former players Gregory Allen ’72, Dana Harrell ’71, G’73, John Lobon ’73, Clarence “Bucky” McGill ’72, A. Alif Muhammad ’71, Duane Walker ’80 and Ronald Womack ’71 will share their accounts of an event that changed the course of intercollegiate athletics at SU and throughout the country. The event takes place Sept. 17 at 9:30 a.m.in Shemin Auditorium in the Shaffer Art Building.
Recipients of the Chancellor’s Citation will also be recognized during CBT 8. The Chancellor’s Citation is awarded to alumni ages 40 or younger, who have distinguished themselves in the area of civic service or various professional fields. The citation will be presented during the CBT 8 dinner dance Sept. 17 at 7 p.m. This year’s recipients are: Franklin R. Alvarado ’93 (Chancellor’s Citation in real estate development); Alicia M. Carroll ’88 (medicine); Shanti Das ’93 (music); Don McPherson ’87 (public service) and Kirsten Poe Hill ’85 (public relations).Throughout the weekend, University and local arts organizations will present exhibits and performances to celebrate CBT’s theme: The legacy continues. Community Folk Art Center will host “Coming Back Together 8: Visualizing the Legacy,” an exhibition of recent artwork by alumni in a variety of media and styles. Paintings, photography, mixed media and fiber pieces will be showcased. University Archives presents “Equal to All Persons: Minorities in Syracuse University’s History” in Goldstein Alumni and Faculty Center. An exhibition from the Latino Heritage Museum will be housed in the Hildegarde and J. Myer Schine Student Center’s Goldstein Auditorium. Various music, dance, poetry and film presentations are scheduled as well.
On Sept. 16, CBT will hold a public memorial service for Jamal J. James ’01, who died on July 2 in Harlem, N.Y. A drama major in the College of Visual and Performing Arts, James moved to New York to pursue a career in theatre after graduating from SU. As a student at SU, James was active in several student organizations and devoted himself to volunteerism and service while at the University. He was a leader in student government, and volunteered in support of SU’s $370 million Commitment to Learning Campaign. He also worked with the Office of Multicultural Affairs and other offices in the Division of Student Affairs, led an effort to bring the Neighborhood Watch program to SU’s off-campus students, and served on SU’s Alumni Board from 2002-04.
Friends of James will remember and celebrate his life at 2:30 p.m. in Hendricks Chapel. For more information about the service, call 443-3408.
For more information on Coming Back Together 8 and a complete schedule of events, visithttp://sumweb.syr.edu/progdev/CBT8/welcomepage.htm.
