Commencement 2007 - Villanova University

Black Alumni Strengthen Tieswith the VUAABY IVANLEY NOISETTE ’08 A&SThis year’s Alumni Reunion Weekend included a robust scheduleof events. Among them was the Black Cultural Society/Black Student League Reception. It was held from 9:30-10:30 a.m. on June 9 in the Presidents’ Lounge of the ConnellyCenter. Those attending were members of Villanova University’salumni, staff and student body.In his remarks, the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, O.S.A., ’75A&S, University president, outlined the importance of diversityon Villanova’s campus. “We must strive to be a campus communitythat is representative of the world our students will live inafter graduation,” Father Donohue said. His words were greetedwith head nods of approval.Facilitating the event were Walidah Justice ’96 A&S, assistantdirector of student development; Meredith Fitzpatrick,assistant director of admission; and Amy Layman ’05 G.S.,senior director of program development and technology forAlumni Affairs.As co-editors of The Culture, a student publication focusingon raising awareness about humanitarian issues, Oscar Abello’08 A&S and I spoke about the magazine’s history and futuregoals. In my role as acting president of the Black Cultural Society,I outlined our organization’s progress and illustrated theneed for strong alumni relations.Dr. Teresa “Terry” Nance, assistant vice president for MulticulturalAffairs, reiterated Father Donohue’s words, stating theimportance of a diverse campus community and outlining theprogress of the Diversity Blueprint she has been spearheading.Referring to the last few years, Nance said, “Many goals havebeen achieved and progress has been made. We have thenumbers; now we need to engage in the second phase, gettingstudents to understand the meaning of authentic diversity.”The authenticity, she emphasized, goes beyond the numbersto include mutual understanding and acceptance.The reactions from alumni to the changes at Villanova sincetheir years there helped spark vigorous networking after the event.“I was the president of the Black Student League 30-plusyears ago,” said Lionel Knight ’72 A&S, now a financial consultantin Europe, Africa, Asia and the United States. “Thechanges that have taken place are truly remarkable,” he added.Knight and a host of other alumni all expressed interest ingetting more involved with the Villanova University AlumniAssociation (VUAA).Meredith Fitzpatrick introduces participants as Oscar Abello ’08 A&S(maroon shirt) and Ivanley Noisette ’08 A&S (white shirt) prepare tospeak at the reception for black alumni on June 9.Dr. Teresa “Terry” Nance (gesturing), assistant vice president forMulticultural Affairs, and Father Donohue emphasize the importanceof a diverse campus community.Dr. Chauncey Fortt ’73 A&S, who chairs the VUAA’s diversitycommittee, expressed his commitment to facilitating a “lasting andhealthy” relationship between black alumni and the Villanovacommunity. Last fall, he was awarded a College of Liberal Arts andSciences Alumni Medallion.Ivanley Noisette ’08 A&S, who is interning in the Office of Communicationand Public Affairs, is a political science major and co-editorof The Culture magazine.JOHN WELSH (BOTH)Summer 2007 35