West Virginia State University - Arch Yearbook (Institute, WV)

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DA BURKETT John Grant, Food Service Director -and Supervisory Personnel Mr. Timothy E. Van Meter Administrative Asst., Financial Aid SCTOR. “FINANCIAL AID Q

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22 Collegiate Support Services and Counseling Center MRS. GLORIA CARPER MRS. BETTY RANDLE MR. TOM MCCLURE DR. CASSANDRA WHYTE MS. PAT KLINE BEES MS. PAULA BLANKENSHIP MRS. DOROTHY DALE JIM VICKERS DIRECTCR , STUDENT UNIO BARBARA McCORMICK

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24 WVSC, Living Laboratory of Human Relations In the early days of integration at WVSC the phrase, A Living Laboratory of Human Rela- tions, was more than just an empty slogan. It was in fact, =a scredo. by which» wer began to explore our world in different terms and to re- order our lives accordingly. To understand its meaning you would have had to know the conditions of relationships between Blacks and Whites in the early 1950's. The Kanawha Valley in those days was strict- ly segregated. To those of us who came from integrated areas in the northern U.S., it came as a surprise to find that Blacks could not eat in local restaurants, nor sit in orchestra seats at theaters. Blacks attended separate schools and many held menial jobs in spite of having a good education. On the other hand, whites who enjoyed most of the priviledges were also handicapped. By law, they could not attend WVSC because segregation worked both ways. This meant that many local people were prevented from obtaining a college education because of lack of access. Even in the north, social relationships had not been encouraged. The only Black girl in the high school English class used to walk home with us until her mother warned her not to associate with white people. Thus, when area students braved convention by attending WVSC after President William J.L. Wallace followed the law in desegregating the college, the first few white students were unsure of a welcome. We came with goodwill but an almost total lack of understanding of our fellow students’ and teachérs, © For most, of sus. t | wasn citsl slime experience to meet a Black person on equal terms and to exchange ideas. DR. Ethe Professor Chair, Modern }