BSU celebrates 40 years

Nearly 250 people attended Black Student Union's 40th anniversary celebration March 3.

BSU was formed in 1968 and originally was known as the Afro-American Society, after only three black students had graduated. At the time, black students at UW-Whitewater had trouble finding places to meet, unlike other groups on campus.

Former BSU?member and 1992 graduate Lashaun Jackson said she was impressed with the ceremony.

"I think it's a wonderful event, it's a great time to remember UW-Whitewater and all of the friends and good times here,"?she said. "I made life long friends here and I will always call Whitewater home."

Andre Douglas, assistant director of Pre-College Programs, said he remembers the beginning of the BSU.

"I remember back in '68 when we had to go through the Board of Regents to simply rent a space to have meetings," Douglas said. "It's just a worthy association in my eyes, I'm very excited to have been a member of the BSU."

The keynote speaker was Arline Hardy-Smith, the first black student to graduate from UW-Whitewater. In 1966 she graduated with a degree in education and went on to teach in Racine.

Hardy-Smith began her speech by quoting President Obama's campaign slogan.

"Yes we can, but we always could if given the opportunity," Hardy-Smith said. "We always could, if our spirits were not broken. We always could, if our infant curiosities were not stifled by stereotypes."

She said although the black community has come far, it is not quite as far as it could be.

Special recognition was given to four people who were integral in making BSU what it is today. They were Hardy-Smith, Larry Pasha, Dennis Baskin and Roger Pulliam.

Past presidents in attendance were asked on stage to be recognized. All of the 32 former presidents will have their names placed on a plaque labled "The Presidents Hall of Fame."

Brittany Jackson, the current BSU president, said the organization has made many accomplishments in the past 40 years.

"This is the fifth year of our Cultural Explosion, which is an event that brings all of the multi-cultural students together to show who we all are and what our cultures entail," Jackson said. "We take a lot of political stands. In the last election, we took a great interest in giving students the opportunity to get information on both candidates."