Browse the Collection

Twenty Black Student Union members pose for their student organization’s yearbook photograph. This is the first Black Student Union photograph included in the Tomokan yearbook. Back row: Krisita Jackson, Theda James, Deborah Coleman, Brenda Martin, Reggie Brock, Blanche Jackson, Lonnie Butler, Otis Cameron, Rodney Dowling. Middle row: Lorraine Powell, Marcus Wilson, Grace Borom, Juanita Gibson, Jennifer Matthews, Roxwell Robinson, Arlinda Staley. Front row: Guilda Brandon, Theotis Bronson, Constance Blackman, Errol Cunningham.

Thirteen members of the Black Student Union gather for their yearbook photo. They are seated on the steps of Bush Science Center. (First row, left to right): Douglas Pollard, Denise Brookins, Blondie Jones, Priscilla Lyons, Roxwell Robinson. (Second row, left to right): Vic Crumity, Errol Cunningham, Willie Flowers, Dick Twine, Roslyn Lawson, Luther Graham, Kimberly Broxton, Sharon Israel.

(First row, left to right): Sharon Israel, Kim Broxton, Debbie Mitchell, Roslyn Lawson, Blondie Jones, Denise Brookins, Gloria Allen. (Second row, left to right): Victor Crawford, Clyde Clark, Thomas Francis, Gigi Morgan, Luther Graham, Rodney Akins, Kirk Twine. Fourteen Black Student Union members gather around a sofa for their yearbook picture. This is the fourth such yearbook photograph of Black Student Union members gathered for their student organization picture.

This article, written by Mary McLeod Bethune, discusses her friendship with President Hamilton Holt. It outlines the path of acceptance of African Americans at Rollins College, and her hope for further acceptance and integration in the future. Circa 1955-1956

The administration responds to student demands for more Black studies by creating a winter term course on "Black Literature, History and Sociology." The Dean of Rollins College consulted the Dean of Bethune-Cookman College on the structure and content of the course, demonstrating continued cooperation between the two institutions.

Hamilton Holt awarding Mary McLeod Bethune, President Emerita of Bethune-Cookman College, with an honorary degree of Doctor of Humanities.This is the first honorary degree given to an African American by an institution of higher education in the South.

This memo from Alzo J. Reddick (the faculty sponsor of the Black Student Union and Assistant Dean of Student Affairs) thanks President Jack Critchfield for his support and refers to letters from community members in support of Black Awareness Week. Dean Reddick also suggests that Black Awareness Week was a mixed success, but expresses an overall positive opinion about the event.

In a memo to Prof. Royal France, President Holt and Treasurer E. T. Brown recommend that no African Americans should be permitted to use the Harper-Shepherd Field while it is not being used by Rollins College. The message shows that the college is trying to determine its position on involvement with local African Americans and their ability to be on Rollins- owned grounds.

Hamilton Holt expresses concern that the announcement of Mary McLeod Bethune's honorary degree would cause protesting and interference from the KKK. His fears proved to be unfounded, but facing violence was a real possibility.

Black Student Union President Roxwell Robinson writes to President Jack Critchfield, requesting that the College offer at least three Black Culture courses per academic year, even in the face of financial difficulty. President Critchfield responds that he cannot make a guarantee, but that he and the administration intend to preserve Black Culture courses in the curriculum.