By Dan Altman
UHCLIDIAN STAFF

The office of Multicultural and International Student Services recently held the second installment of its Celebrating Our Elders series with the opening of the African-American exhibit. The reception was held in UH-Clear Lake's Atrium II Oct. 19.

Winners were on hand receiving scholarships for essays written to celebrate elders in the community. The second part of the Celebrating Our Elders series exhibits artwork and essays written by students giving thanks to an African-American who has positively effected their life. The first exhibit showed literature and artwork produced by Hispanics in the community.

Keynote speaker Linda Bullock addresses the audience at the reception (top), Dr. Hayes pictured with Inge Dionne Ryan and Inez Mallory Yates (middle) and Honored elders in the room are applauded (bottom).
photos by Angela Stone

In attendance were students who submitted essays and the elders they chose to celebrate. Students eligible for the scholarships were students from around the Houston area enrolled in community colleges or graduating high school seniors.

Dallas Christian College student Dettrick Gordwin wrote his essay on Minister Robert L. Lewis. Lewis helped Gordwin through rough times and used "tough love" to get Gordwin on track and attending college.

"The program was initially started to build a partnership in the community," said Linda Bullock, director of Multicultural and International Student Services. "The program has helped build relationships with administration at the community colleges."

Bullock also said the program has helped educate the UH-Clear Lake campus about other cultures and lifestyles. Many different ethnicities were in attendance for the reception.

Since the program's inception, $55,000 has been awarded to students to go toward the completion of an education at upper-level institutions. The scholarship makes completing college possible for students who, without the scholarship, cannot afford tuition, Bullock said. "It is great that our campus has such a diverse group of students," said Marshall Flowers, business major. "This is the first reception I have attended while enrolled at UHCL. I met some really interesting people."

The African-American exhibit will be available for viewing until Nov. 2. The exhibit is located outside the Student Life Office, Room 1602 in the Bayou Building.

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