Our History

The Afro-American Alumni Association was formally organized in 1990, after discussion during the June 4, 1988 20th reunion of PROGRESS/OUTREACH graduates. They recognized that minority graduates should reconnect and show appreciation to the minority administrators and faculty who had supported them through their years at Bridgewater State College (now known as Bridgewater State University).

Originally called the "Afro-Am Alumni Council" until 2002, the group under the leadership of founding member and President Jeanne Oliver Foster ’77 along with dedicated alumni *(founding members listed below) worked with advisors Paul Gaines and Phil Conroy to establish the following programs from 1990-1994:

  • Participation in Freshman Orientation
  • Annual Gospel Concert
  • Career Nite

Jeanne Foster remained president until 1993 and John Lenny McLean ’90 was elected president in 1994. Under his leadership the founding members developed the motto: "REFLECT & CONNECT" along with a special logo of shaking hands. The underlying theme was to reflect on and utilize the experiences that the alumni had while they were students at Bridgewater State College (now Bridgewater State University) and connect to current students to offer guidance and support.

Since that time, presidents Aenis Harris, Ann Solomon Ulett (sp), Jackie Ware Tucker, and Luis Rosa along with committed alumni have expanded and developed the original mission.

The Afro-American Alumni Association has partnered with: Career Services, Center for Multi-cultural Affairs, The Community Services Center, Office of Institutional Diversity, and Student Affairs to support, encourage, and enlighten current students.

The Afro-American Alumni Association has co-sponsored the annual Kente Cloth Celebration with The Center for Multicultural Affairs for more than a decade. It’s a time when graduates are celebrated and welcomed into the association. Former president, Ann Ulett, conducted an outstanding seminar for students on dressing for success and business etiquette for a few years. Alumni have attended the annual MLK Breakfasts over the years and committed to a day of service, working with Ms. Diane Bell and the Community Service Center. The on-going partnership with Career Services has proven beneficial to our students. Under the leadership of Jackie Ware Tucker and Luis N. Rosa, we have sponsored "Scholarship Night" and hope to develop "Internship Night". Alumni have also supported students by attending student-organization meetings and events.

The Afro-American Alumni Association worked tirelessly to help endow the Arthur Cox Memorial Scholarship, Dr. Ruth Batson Scholarship, Paul L. Gaines Scholarship, and the Professor Henry Santos Scholarship. Members also helped raise funds for the Jerrol J. Toledo

Memorial Scholarship, and the group is looking toward continuing fund-raising efforts to financially support students attending Bridgewater State University.

We are excited about the university status and name change of our alma mater. We look forward to developing a close-knit community of alumni; and, supporting this institution and the students who attend.

 

*FOUNDING MEMBERS

Domingo Amado, Jr., Curtis Bailey, Harriet Beasley, Josephine Bernard, Paul Bonitto, Janis Larkin Caines, Pamela Crudup-Veiga, Whitfield Daley, Paul Dobson, Jeanne Oliver Foster, W. Bruce Gaines, Antonio Golsalves, Barbara Jackson, Eyvonne King, Darryl McArthur, Nanzetta Merriman, Alva Mitchem, Frances Pina, Stephen Prophet, Gloria Stanton, Jacqueline Ware, and Vanessa Whittington.

 

PAST PRESIDENTS

JEANNE OLIVER FOSTER
1990-1994

JOHN LENNY McLEAN
1994-2000

AENIS HARRIS
2000-2002

ANN ULETT
2002-2006

JACQUELINE WARE TUCKER
2006-2008

 

 

 


Last Modified: October 4, 2011