Black Alumni Organization celebrates Homecoming with reunions

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Purdue Black Alumni Organization is partnering with other university student, faculty and staff organizations on Sept. 22-24 to celebrate Homecoming with the theme "Something in Common."

The alumni organization has joined their efforts with the Epsilon Gamma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc., Black Cultural Center, Black Student Union, Black Graduate Association, and the Black Caucus of Faculty and Staff. In addition to Homecoming, the events are in celebration of the alumni reunions of Epsilon Rho Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Black Voices of Inspiration, Business Opportunities Program and Krannert School of Management black alumni.

"This is the first time I can recall that black student organizations have joined with black faculty and alumni organizations to host and sponsor campus events," said Ernita Cooper, homecoming chair for the Purdue Black Alumni Organization.

The feature of the weekend's events is a retirement celebration for Cornell Bell, associate professor of management and director of the Business Opportunities Program. Bell retired June 30 after 37 years at Purdue.

A former school administrator in Gary, Ind., Bell was hired to direct the program for minority management students in 1969, a year after its inception.

"Dr. Bell was a father figure for so many of the program's students," Cooper said. "I graduated from the program and feel he and the program gave me the tools to succeed professionally."

The celebration for Bell will take place from 6:30-9:30 p.m. on Friday (Sept. 22) in the Elliott Hall of Music. The sold-out event also will be a reunion for the Business Opportunities Program and Krannert black alumni. Event sponsors also include the Krannert School of Management and Society of Minority Managers, a student organization at Krannert.

Other Homecoming events taking place in association with the Purdue Black Alumni Organization include:

• Sept. 22, 6-9 p.m. Black Cultural Center. Alumni Welcome Reception. Free and open to the public.

• Sept. 22, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Stewart Center, second and third floor. Old School/New School Party. The event will feature a step show performance by Sigma Gamma Rho, Epsilon Gamma Chapter undergraduates.

• Sept. 23, 10 a.m. to noon and 3 p.m. to dusk. Black Cultural Center parking lot. Pre- and Post-Game Tailgate Parties. Tickets covering both events are $20 for the public and $5 for students.

• Sept. 23, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Purdue Armory. Purdue Black Alumni Organization Homecoming Gala. The all-night formal benefit, with the theme "One People, One Party," will feature celebrity DJ Biz Markie and a step show performance featuring Alpha Kappa Alpha, Epsilon Rho Chapter Alumnae. Tickets are available at the door and are $25 for the public, $15 for faculty and non-Purdue students, and $10 for Purdue students.

• Sept. 24, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Trails, 325 Burnett Road. Gospel Brunch. Sponsored by the Purdue Black Alumni Organization, the all-you-can-eat brunch will feature a DJ playing a variety of multigenerational gospel music and performances by the alumni of the Black Voices of Inspiration choir. Tickets are available only in advance at the Black Cultural Center tailgating parties and are $30 for the public and $5 for students.

The Purdue Black Alumni Organization consists of alumni, students, friends, faculty and staff committed to the advancement of African-Americans at Purdue. It is an affiliate of the Purdue Alumni Organization and was founded in December 1980 in recognition of the 10th anniversary of the Black Cultural Center and the first Purdue University Black Alumni Reunion.

Writer: Bethany Bannister-Andrews, (765) 494-2073, bbannister@purdue.edu

Source: Ernita Cooper, (312) 925-0366, ernita@hotmail.com

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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