Winter 2013 - Pacific Union College

First DoorRenovating for aWarm WelcomeA Message from “LittleRock Nine”Terrence Roberts opensBlack History Month at PUC Giovanni HashimotoThe celebration of Black History Monthat Pacific Union College began with aprestigious guest sharing his experiencesfrom the American Civil Rights Movement.Congressional Gold Medalist TerrenceRoberts, who became one of the iconic LittleRock Nine as a 15-year-old Adventist, spoke tothe gathered PUC students, faculty and staff onFebruary 7.To his PUC audience, Roberts spoke abouthis motivation and participation in the journeytoward civil rights. While still in highschool in 1957, he became one of the Little RockNine when he and eight other African-Americanstudents put their lives on the line to integrateLittle Rock Central High School in Arkansas.In 1999 he received his Congressional GoldMedal from President Bill Clinton for his partin this remarkable moment in U.S. history.Roberts reminisced about life in Little Rockin those days — noting that people had hadhundreds of years to develop an expertise indiscrimination: “For 335 years, it was legal andconstitutional to discriminate against peoplebased on racial group memberships,” he said.“Discrimination seemed to be second nature towhite people in Little Rock.”For Roberts and his young friends who became“the nine,” it wasn’t about making a revolutionarychange in their world. At that pointin their lives, the motivation was basic: “Wesimply wanted to go to school, that’s all,” Robertsrecounted.The nine black students who enrolled at LittleRock Central High were to begin its desegregationprocess, as supported by the UnitedStates Supreme Court’s Brown Decision. “TheBrown Decision was a bold step towards changingthe narrative,” Roberts noted, “but such achange was truly not welcomed by the masses.”Over 100 congressmen signed the SouthernManifesto detailing plans to prevent implementationof the Brown Decision. Meanwhile,in response to the students’ actions, the governorof Arkansas called for armed resistance.Roberts called the situation “bizarre” but “notso unusual when you know the history [ofAmerica]—not an aberration, when you understandthe dynamics of racism.”For Roberts, that momentous experiencewas the beginning of a life work. Since the ultimatelysuccessful effort to desegregate thehigh school, Roberts has been a strong voiceat the forefront of the Civil Rights Movement.At PUC, he spoke about lessons he has carriedwith him from those early experiences, andnoted areas in contemporary American life inwhich improvement is still necessary.Finally, noting the disparity in educationand other measures of success affecting African-Americansin the United States, Roberts assertedthat “the real question facing us today isnot why there are so many people of color whodon’t prosper, who don’t flourish or bloom totheir full potential. The real question is, whyare there so many who do?”Ahigh school senior, thrilled but apprehensiveabout pending freshmanhoodand accompanied by equally thrilledbut apprehensive parents, opens their first doorat PUC: the door to the Office of Enrollment. Theystep into a lobby that may very well be givingthem their first impression of PUC’s interior.That’s why PUC is particularly pleased at theoutcome of a recent beautification project — therenovation of the entry and lobby for the officesof enrollment, admissions, and public relations.Changes ranged from opening up the space tore-painting (in a chic new palette) to adding a flatscreen that displays snippets of PUC scenery andinformation. Together, these renovations not onlycreate a welcoming first impression but also offerpracticalities such as a conference room whereparents can meet with enrollment counselors.Guests are invited to enjoy the comfortable seating,reading selections that include the DiogenesLantern and the latest ViewPoint, and a hot drink.“The purpose of this renovation was to createa warm and welcoming space for prospectivestudents and their families that would help togive a better first impression of PUC, as well as toprovide five-star customer service to our wonderfulconstituents,” says PUC President Heather J.Knight.This is part of Knight’s goal to undertake ahigh-impact project on campus every summer.Other projects in this line-up have included theDining Commons, Campus Center, and NelsonMemorial Library.12 ViewPoint | Winter 2013ViewPoint | Winter 2013 13