By Timothy Dashiell
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
A recent 50th anniversary celebration of Towson University’s Black Student Union served as a testament to the group’s touted values: Survival, Respect and Unity.
And the 100-plus attendees, who included TU President Kim Schatzel, Dean of Students Anthony Skevakis and the first Minority Affairs Dean Julius Chapman symbolized BSU’s journey to promote positive images of African Americans while helping students become an integral part of the college community.
“The Black Student Union is a vehicle for students to make an impact on their students, facility and staff both on campus and in the community,” said junior Jason Jones, one of about 500 dues paying members at Towson. “They have made so many people feel at home and connected to a community from the jump.”
BSU President Jason Hamilton acknowledged that the BSU 50th anniversary banquet last Saturday was one of the biggest events he’s spearheaded. However, he still is excited about upcoming activities.
“The plan is to finish out the year strong with events like Ebony Excellence, our annual Award show in April, and maybe some other large events/collabs,” said Hamilton, a Towson senior. “We’re also looking forward to creating a shadowing process where the new batch of potential board members learn from our mistakes and take the org even farther than I did with my leadership.”
Towson’s BSU was founded on Feb. 25, 1970, merely four years after the first Black Student Union appeared at San Francisco State University. Across the country in the late 1960s and early 1970s, people of color faced racial injustices and inequalities. BSUs became a force for social change, groups that pushed academic excellence among minorities and community service projects.
At Towson, which was integrated in the 60s, a group of Black students presented to former University President James Fisher a list of urgent requests for equipment and funds that were “deemed in the best interest of Black students at Towson State College.”
One of the students wrote to Fisher:: “Upon an analysis of the situation existing here at Towson State, it has become apparent that we, as Black students, should be dealing with three critical areas: survival, respect, and unity. Being aware of the precarious situation that Black students face at Towson State, we find it necessary to formulate a pragmatic, cohesive, and feasible program to service the total Black community at Towson State.”
In addition, the group demanded office space, supplies, and a budget. These demands were not immediately met, but the Student Government Association and the university administration eventually gave the black students the things they needed.
Finally, following actions taken at the University of Maryland, College Park, just two years prior in May 1968, Fisher and the SGA president at the time, Charles Johnson, both sent letters to the BSU, pledging their long-term commitment to students of color. Just like UMD, Towson had a Black Student Union with Arthur Woodard serving as the first president.
Before becoming the current president, Hamilton served on the executive board the past two years as the director of publications for the 2017-2018 school year, and as the organization’s Secretary for last academic year. He oversees and serves more than 500 due paying members – about 200 more than College Park’s BSU. Membership is $5 a semester.
“I joined BSU because my friend Dymond at the time pulled me to the org’s table at my Roar Rally my freshman year and after getting to know the 2016-2017 E-Board at the time and other board members, I was instantly hooked on the org,” Hamilton told The Baltimore Watchdog.
“Seeing how much family and community sprouted out the org and how much it gave me that home away from home feeling made me want to lead the organization this year after serving on the board since my sophomore year,” he explained. “I knew that as president, I could create that same atmosphere and those same feelings for someone else.”
While the banquet featured performances that included Voices, a BSU subgroup focused on empowering the Black community through poetry and spoken word, BSU recognized officials who helped solidify the goals of the organization.
Ralph Woodus, the director of Student Success Programs, was recognized for mentoring black students at Towson for the last 40 years. Woodus held leadership roles in the Tutoring Center, Office of Disability Student Services and Office of Commuter Affairs. He is set to retire at the end of the school year.
“I wouldn’t have gotten that 4.0 without you,” said Towson student Lewis Lawry in a tribute video that surprised Woodus. “I wouldn’t have been inspired to make an impact on my community without you, you made me believe I could touch others, that my voice mattered, and I will always be in debt to you Ralph.”
Keynote speaker Julius Chapman summed up the progress the university has made: “A lot has changed since back in my day. I don’t really know the campus now, but I sure am proud of it.”
Chapman was named the first dean of Minority Affairs prior to the 1970-1971 academic year at what was known as Towson State College. During his 12-year career, he recruited and mentored African-American students while helping to establish the Black Student Union, the Black Faculty and Administrators Association and the Black Cultural Center. He also was a founder of the Iota Epsilon chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. in 1976.
“His dedication to Black students was so important, without him so many people wouldn’t have gotten their TU degree,” said Towson alum Khalil Moody, who is also a member of the chapter.
While the hardcore issues of integration, civil rights, diversity and multiculturalism are not as urgent for BSU as in the past, officials stressed that the organization is not now just a social organization.
“We had this banquet to honor those past and present who were able to have an impact on Towson’s campus through this great organization, it’s our way to say thank you to those individuals and celebrate the progress we as Black people have made at this University,” Hamilton said.
“The Black Student Union is a vehicle for students to make an impact on their students, facility and staff both on campus and in the community, here’s to 50 more years BSU,” he said.