“Celebrating Our Journey” was the theme of a gala dinner sponsored by the Afro-American Alumni Association at its 25th anniversary celebration, held in the Campus Center Ballroom.
Established in 1990, the association’s membership has grown to more than 700 alumni, and the event took time to honor those who have helped along the way.
Dr. Brenda Molife, vice president for university advancement, was a featured speaker at the anniversary celebration; she brought the greetings of the university to the occasion, while Angel Figueroa, ’08, introduced the program.
Among the highlights was the presentation of the 2015 Afro-American Achievement Award to Dorie Aucoin, ’76, G ’78, who is currently the assistant director of the university’s Academic Achievement Center.
“Dorie’s main mission over the past four decades at Bridgewater has been working with students who had to overcome unique obstacles to succeed in college,” noted the script accompanying her award. “Her titles have changed over the years, as have the names of the programs and the centers with which she has been affiliated. But one thing hasn’t changed, her belief that a college education should be open to all. As she often says, “Working with students of color and bi-lingual students has been my calling.“
Two musical selections were performed by Professor Emerita of Music Henry Santos, who was a special guest of honor. A renowned pianist and composer who spent more than 30 years on the faculty at BSU, Professor Santos was introduced by Louis M. Ricciardi, ’81, former chairman of the board of trustees who has been a piano student of Professor Santos for the past seven years.
The anniversary was another milestone on a path that can be traced back to 1968, when Paul Gaines, G ’68, was appointed Bridgewater State’s first minority affairs director. The following year, he founded the Organization of Afro-American Students and in 1990, the Afro-American Alumni Association was officially formed.
During the Anniversary Celebration, Mrs. AuCoin paid tribute to Mr. Paul Gaines, who, in 1968 began actively recruiting students of color into the college.
"Many of the alumni here tonight benefitted from Mr. Gaines' steady guidance at a time when social acceptance was uncertain,” she said. “We owe him our gratitude for paving the way to making tonight possible; when so many alums can come back to celebrate so many accomplishments."
Michael Henry, ’92, president of the association, said the event was meant to celebrate the past as well as a future of continued success.
“It’s an exciting time for Afro-American alumni as we continue to grow and build upon our foundation,” he told the hundreds gathered. “We are privileged to have an opportunity to celebrate this wonderful event with you.”
A total of 22 Afro-American Alumni Association members were presented with Founder Awards, and the list includes: Domingo Amado Jr., ’85, G ’88; Curtis Bailey, ’87; Harriet Beasley, ’79; Josephine Bernard, ’71; Paul Bonitto, ’87; James Lrkin Caines, ’77; Pamela Crudup-Veiga, ’73; Whitfield Daley, ;77; Paul Dobson, ’84; Jeanne Oliver Foster, ’77; W. Bruce Gaines, ’73, G ’77; Antonio Gonsalves, ’86; Barbara Jackson, ’80; Eyvonne King, ’79; Darryl McArthur, ’80; Nanzetta Merriman, ’78; Alva Mitchum, ’70; Frances Pina Watson, ’98, G ’03; Stephen Prophet, ’76; Gloria Stanton, ’74, G ’00; Jacquelyn Ware Tucker, ’90; and Vanessa Whittington-Brown, ’82.
Entertainment for the celebration included a student dance and spoken word performances; the latter by Marvin Ezhan and Jamaal Rodney Bonnette, both members of the class of 2015. (Story and photos by David K. Wilson, ’71; additional photos by Steve Rowell, University News)
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