Rectory rich with African resources
By Kris Reed
The Metropolitan
Under the shadows of the historic, restored St. Cajetanâs Center lies a little yellow brick building, where quietly and largely unnoticed by the rest of the campus, some very innovative things have been happening.
The building in question is the Rectory Building, and it houses the African American Studies department.
The department was re-established three years ago. Under the leadership of C.J. White, it has become a vivacious part of Metroâs student and academic life.
The AASD is now expanding, and developing a library/resource reading room. The reading room will offer African American literature, magazines, journals and videos. Itâs scheduled to open in mid-October.
The department offers a variety of community and campus courses during Black History Month in February, as well as activities throughout the year.
The department also offers two specialized courses for women: Women of Color and Black Female Identity.
ãThe discipline of African American Studies was established because of a perceived need to focus on the roles and contributions of blacks,ä White explained. ãWe recognize that sometimes another important group, black women, is left out.ä
The departmentâs goal ãis to continue to offer quality programs and courses for all students, regardless of race or ethnicity and to make known the need and value of taking courses in African American Studies,ä White said.
ãMost of our faculty is involved in some kind of program to educate the community and students on African American issues.ä
The AAS offers approximately 17 sections of courses per semester for majors, minors and students wishing to fill general studies or multicultural requirements. The department counts an average of 15-20 declared majors and minors at any given time.
Professor Akbarali Thobani sponsors a program in Africa for students interested in African culture and history.
Students have traveled to Ghana, Sengal, Egypt, and Kenya through this program in the past.
The AAS also encourages students to pursue double majors in psychology or sociology to give them the best possible preparation for the job market.
Two graduates of the program, Dennis Green and Xeturah Woodley, are teaching courses in the department and are enrolled in doctoral programs at the University of New Mexico and the University of Colorado at Denver, respectively.
Phelicia Morton, a 1996 Metro graduate, received a full scholarship and a $12,000 allowance to Cornell University to pursue a doctoral degree in African studies.
ãThere is a myth out there that there is no job market for our majors,ä White said. ãIn fact, there are a wide variety of jobs in both the public and private sectors that have a need for people who understand African American culture and contemporary issues facing black people.ä
