[BRAD RADICE] It's time for our Bulldog Conversation, Brad Radice back with you, and
I'm joined by Dr. Denise Gregory, Assistant Provost for diversity and intercultural initiatives
here at Samford University, and Denise we are celebrating 50 years of integration here
at Samford the Golden Anniversary and we're commemorating it not only this year, but specially
in February aren't we?
[DENISE GREGORY] Absolutely, we're getting ready and geared
up for a lot of events that are happening, in particular, in February.
We have so many events that are going to happen for us.
There are several that we want to highlight and talk about today.
[BRAD RADICE] We'll talk about it, but let's go back in
history to 1967, Audrey Lattimore Gaston Howard, the first African-American admitted into Samford,
Cumberland specifically.
[DENISE GREGORY] Yes, in 1967 she was the first student to
be enrolled into Samford University's law school, Cumberland, there she made great strides
and received her J.D.
We have wonderful archives, pictures of her where she's receiving her degree from Dr.
Lesley Wright in 1970.
[BRAD RADICE] She had a great career in law and in politics
and I know recently you tracked down her son, who was just elated about this honor wasn't
he?
[DENISE GREGORY] Yes, so excited.
when he saw the email from me when I reached out to him.
It was an honor for him to hear that we were going to celebrate his mother and we're looking
forward to continuing conversations with him and hopefully at all possible bringing him
here on campus for some of the events that we'll be hosting in her honor.
[BRAD RADICE] So, we're honoring 28 distinguished alums
in February, but you also have a long list of events not only in the spring, but we've
also had a couple so far, just a great lineup of events to commemorate this 50th anniversary.
[DENISE GREGORY] Yes, the 28 honorees that we're honoring in
February.
They've been nominated by several people across campus, by Deans, by Vice Presidents, from
our alumni have nominated so many people deserving, but we can only choose 28 of them that we're
going to highlight during every day in February.
They will be featured on our website, our social media, recognized for their contributions
to the university, as well as to, to the world to help promote our society.
Also in February, the Black Law Students Association is sponsoring the Thurgood Marshall Series,
and that is going to be a great event also as well that we're going to celebrate, also
with Dr. Billie Jean Young, who is a 1979 graduate of Cumberland Law School, performs
a wonderful one woman show titled 'Fanny Lou Hamron: This Little Light of Mine'.
We are really excited about that event.
[BRAD RADICE] Good stuff and outside of that, just, outside
of that you're showing a movie, all kind of stuff, that these events--you don't have to
be a Samford alum to come to, they're open to the public.
[DENISE GREGORY] They are open to the public, we are welcoming
everyone to our campus to visit these events.
We have a website that we'll talk about later on, where people can find all of our events
that we're having for to commemorate this event.
And, would to have so many people to join us.
[BRAD RADICE] The 28 individuals that we'll be honoring,
I know you've gotten a lot of nominations, just about some of the, not specifically,
but when you look at the list of contributions that Samford alums, specifically African-Americans
have made and the strides they've made.
[DENISE GREGORY] Absolutely, that list is so remarkable and
overwhelming.
The accomplishments and the work that people have done in the community.
Here at Samford what they've done in their churches is overwhelmingly unbelievable of
some of the work that we may not have known about if we hadn't done this event, so we're
all so grateful for their connections that we have and also ones that we're establishing,
and the new one's that we're forming by having people to nominate people that have graduated
from Samford and are doing well in our community.
So, when you see the list you will be like 'wow this is amazing' some of the work that
they're doing in our communities.
[BRAD RADICE] Just talk about the reception you've gotten
from planning this event and some of the pride that you've noticed in planning this.
[DENISE GREGORY] Absolutely, we've had an overwhelming response
from our students, from faculty, from employees, from alumni, just from the community as well
of, one that we're actually taking the time to commemorate this event is grateful to see,
people in our community to see, and that is has been overwhelming response of the joy
we have from this.
[BRAD RADICE] Again, Samford University celebrating 50 years
of integration.
It's the Golden Anniversary, we were talking about a big list of events that we have, this
spring, they're ongoing that we have too.
If you're interested in coming, head to Samford.edu/go/50th that will have the list of all the events
really top to bottom a solid list.
If you want to hear speakers, if you want to see events, go to that site and you'll
be able to do it.
Denise that you so much for joining us.
Thank you.
You've been listening to the Bulldog Conversation.