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Lafayette’s celebration of Black History Month, themed “The Souls of Black Folk: Unveiling Identity” (Jan. 31-Feb. 23), includes the publication of a new magazine, The McDonogh Report, celebrating the impressive contributions of African Americans to the Lafayette community.
The magazine and supporting website are named in honor of David Kearney McDonogh, Lafayette’s first African American graduate and perhaps the first person with legal status as a slave ever to receive a college degree.
“I am delighted to welcome you as readers of The McDonogh Report,” writes President Daniel Weiss in the publication’s inaugural issue. “I hope you will feel a special measure of pride in the alumni who are profiled, including David K. McDonogh, M.D., Class of 1844, and Gerald R. Gill, Ph.D., Class of 1970. You will also be impressed by the insights of our 2006 Pepper Prize winner, Nangula Shejavali, and the remarkable success of Prof. Curlee Raven Holton and the Experimental Printmaking Institute.”
Among other graduates featured in the magazine are George Weaver ’72 and Sylvia Daniels Weaver ’75, Jeffrey Robinson ’80, Molefi Asante ’04, Maya Freelon ’05,Ross Gay ’96, and Reco Collins ’05. The website celebrates the accomplishments and contributions of many more alumni, students, and faculty and spotlights campus news and events.
“In conversations with a number of our African American students, alumni, faculty, and staff, I have developed a special appreciation for the contributions of African Americans to our academic community. I have valued their positive comments about the things we are doing well and have benefited from their candor in challenging us to do better,” Weiss writes.
“I hope you will find that this publication reflects the unique contributions of African Americans to our college. I am especially excited about the Report, however, because it is not just about past and present achievements. It is also about aspirations. In addition to sharing the good news of the accomplishments of the African American members of our community, future issues will also provide an opportunity for you to voice your hopes and dreams for Lafayette. The College and I welcome your ideas—and your involvement.”
The College has commissioned a campus sculpture to commemorate the granting of a degree to McDonogh. The Experimental Printmaking Institute has engaged internationally renowned sculptor Melvin Edwards to create the piece, and EPI director Curlee Raven Holton, professor of art, is producing a limited edition fine-art print in celebration and support.