Campus Life

Oglethorpe celebrates Black History Month

Black History Month is an annual celebration of the achievements of African Americans throughout U.S. history. Observed annually in February, the country recognizes and pays tribute to the generations of African Americans who struggled with adversity to achieve full citizenship in American society.

The Oglethorpe community will celebrate Black History Month with a variety of events on campus:

  • Fashion Show with Fashion Club, “The Style of Our Lives” – Feb. 18, 6 p.m., TLCC Lobby
  • Knowing the History of Black Women – Feb. 19, 6:15 p.m., TLCC Game Room (Presented by Epsilon Iota Psi Sorority)
  • Karaoke – Feb. 19, 8 p.m., Trustee Room
  • Black People Meet – Feb. 20 at 6 p.m., TLCC Lobby
  • South of Philly Food Truck – Feb. 21 at 12 noon, TLCC Roundabout
  • A Rose in Harlem Ball – Feb. 21, 9 p.m., TLCC Dining Hall
  • Black History Trivia – Feb. 22, 4 p.m., Schmidt Gym
  • Macaroni Off – Feb. 24, 8 p.m., Jobe-Hansen Kitchen
  • Black History Month Communications Careers Panel – Feb. 26, 1 p.m., Cousins Center room 236 (Hosted by PRSSA OU)
  • Harlem Renaissance Poetry and Prose – Feb. 27, 5 p.m., Library Atrium

See full event details on OU Connect.

Did you know?

  • Oglethorpe is among the top 15% of colleges and universities in ethnic, racial, religious and financial diversity, with 23.5% of the current student body identifying as black or African American.
  • Oglethorpe’s Black Student Caucus student organization was established in 1974. The group’s commitment to community service and civic engagement serves as a model for living up to Oglethorpe’s creed, to “Make a difference.”
  • Black student organizations on campus include: African Student OrganizationAlpha Kappa Alpha SororityAlpha Phi Alpha FraternityBlack Student Caucus, and Epsilon Iota Psi Sorority.
  • In 1961, Oglethorpe hosted the first integrated college basketball game played in Georgia, in which Oglethorpe defeated Rhode Island 64-47. Read more.
  • Oglethorpe alumnus Charles Weltner was the only member of Georgia’s congressional representatives to support the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and one of only seven representatives from the South to vote in favor of the bill. Charles Weltner was the son of Philip Weltner, former president of Oglethorpe University, and for whom the Oglethorpe Weltner Library is named.

Make plans to take part in Black History Month events on campus and to learn more about black history!

Black History Month

Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of blacks in U.S. history. Also known as African American History Month, the event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans.

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