A reception to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the integration of blacks to Nicholls will be held Feb. 26 at 7p.m. in the Student Union ballroom. According to Clayton Shelvin, mass communication junior from Carestra and student coordinator of the event, said the theme of the reception is to celebrate forty years of blacks’ contributions to the University and honor 16 current, outstanding black students.
At the reception, light hors d’oeuvres and refreshments will be served complimentary of Peer Assistance. Tonia Hampton, a vocal music education senior from San Diego, Cali., will perform introductorily “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and a campus gospel group will provide additional musical entertainment. There will be a keynote presentation by Byran Starks, a minister from Lafayette. Jaret Hubbell, Student Government Association president, will be the master of ceremonies. SGA Vice-President Jana Stewart will present a proclamation with the names of alumni who were the first black students to graduate from the University, and Deborah Raziano, director of alumni affairs, will present them with awards. Peer Education will present a special plaque to a particular Nicholls alumnus for performing a random act of kindness. The Residence Hall Association will provide decorations and both RHA and the Student Union board will set up the decorations.
“I’m excited to see our students pick up the ball and run with it, and I’m glad that it’s a diverse group of students,” Daniels said. “I’m glad that it’s a diverse group of students. It’s not just African-American students celebrating African-American history. It’s black, white, international students, men, women, faculty, staff and students all involved in celebrating the contributions of African-Americans.”
Shelvin is the student who, according to Daniels, is “spear-heading” the effort to hold the integration anniversary reception and collaborated with student leaders and organizations including Hubbell; Courtney Ponson, SPA president; various Greek groups; Juanita Rodrigue, freshman from Houma, in the RHA; the Nicholls’ chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People; and Peer Education.
“The big thing I think was this and the reason why it’s different from anything we’ve ever done,” Shelvin said, “is that all the student organizations are involved in this. From all the Greeks to the big organizations and little organizations, (everyone has) come together, and everybody is doing his part.”
Shelvin said at the conclusion of the reception, one person from each student organization will present a flower representative of his organization to be collected together to form a large wreath whose purpose is to symbolize the “coming together” of everyone for this historical event.
According to Daniels, other events similar to the integration anniversary reception have been held at Nicholls in the past but no other has been as massive as this event is expected to be.
Daniels said at Scholar’s Day several weeks ago, many students were offered scholarships, and among them, many students were blacks and other minorities.
“There were many more African-Americans in attendance (at Scholar’s Day this year),” Daniels said. “I think one of the things the University is doing is trying to target the best students from across the state, and some of those best students happen to be African-American.”
The reception is open to the campus community: faculty, staff and students.
“As I complete my second year at Nicholls, I continue to share the excitement of the college environment,” Daniels said. “I think we have wonderful students who are always looking for opportunities to grow, to learn, to have experiences, even experiences that are outside of their comfort zone. I think we have a generation of students who embrace diversity, and it’s good to know that students themselves can take the initiative. I’m optimistic. The world is going to be okay, and our students are going to help lead the way.
