Austin Peay State University - Yearbook (Clarksville, TN)

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By Paulette Suggs With the enrollment of its first black student in 1959, 26 years of a totally white student body ended when Austin Peay State University opened its doors to blacks seeking higher education. In 1962 Austin Peay had its first black stu- dents to receive degrees. With the open door policy came black participation in athletics and the founding, in 1970, of the Afro-Ameri- can Alliance, which was organized to unite the growing black enrollment. Since that time, black students have become more aware of a growing need for stronger unity. With this unity, Aus- tin Peay received its first black fraterni- ty Alpha Phi Alpha, which received its charter as a recognized fraternity in 1971. Delta Sigma Theta, the first black so- rority on campus, chartered 12 mem- bers in 1973. Kappa Alpha Psi, the sec- ond black fraternity on campus, re- ceived its charter in 1975; with the most recent addition to black social life being Alpha Kappa Alpha, a sorority which received its charter in 1976. Along with an increased social life came academic recognition when in 1974, Sharon Proctor was named to Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities and when Jean Proctor, in 1976 became a member of the Laurel Wreath Society. Black talent was also recognized when Cynthia Hooker became Austin Peay's first black cheerleader, and a year later Thomas Powell became the first black captain of the squad. The year 1976 was a Hgolden year for blacks at Austin Peay. Paulette Suggs became the first black home- coming queen. It wasn't until 1973 that Austin Peay became a national figure in the field of athletics. And much of this publicity was brought about by a black basket- ball player from New York, James HFly Williams. He was a two time All- American, averaged over 30 points per game, and was not only noted for his ability to shoot the ball, but also for the Top - James Norflett. Ted Wriggins. William McMillan. Cassandra Carney. Gary Brooks. Charles Jenkins and other members are just a few of the people on the Black Council who are striving for more black involvement. Bottom - Coach Lake Kelly and wife, Marty. are surround- ed by the Governors, of which the starting five were black, at a party celebrating Kelly's 100th victoryi 77

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Emphasis on blacks - After a slow period of transition, blacks at APSU have finally come into their own 'i W 0.: Qh hie? Left - The three tallest members of the basketball team just happen to be blacks. They are No. 50, Ralph Garner, 6-foot-8; No. 54, Eddie Horton. 6-foot-10 and No. 40, Gary Greene, 6-foot-9. Top - Genetta HTootie Ligon, Arlene Marable and Roberta Burney are on their way for a stroll across campus in the summer-like weather of the early fall quarter. 76

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78 humor and excitement which he added to each game. Howard Wright was the first black athlete from Austin Peay to play pro- fessional basketball when he signed with the Kentucky Colonels in 1970 and played two seasons. Percy Howard was another black basketball player to make it in the pros; but his profeSsional sport was football. not basketball. During his rookie sea- son with the Dallas Cowboys, he caught a touchdown pass in the 1976 Superbowl. By far the most dominating force which has aided the black students has been the Black Student Association. In the past, the Black Student Asso- ciation has been accredited with the following achievements: black study programs, started in 1968. with. 24 hour instruction; The Martin Luther King Scholarship Fund; Black History Week, which began on Austin Peay's Campus in 1970; the employment of black teachers and administrators; getting the University Center Store to sell black oriented products; sponsor- ing the sickle-cell anemia fund and the Children's Community Christmas pro- gram; stimulation of black sororities and fraternities; the recruitment of black students and athletes t2-3 per cent were recruited in 1967 and over 10 per cent in 1976; and finally the sponsoring of the Miss Black APSU Pageant in connection with the Miss Black America contest. The struggle for survival and recogni- tion at Austin Peay has been hard for blacks, and still is to a certain extent. From the beginning of the 70's to the present, blacks have been fighting for equality. If Austin Peay is to be successful in assuring its continued progress and prosperity, every capable youth must be given an equal chance to realize his full educational potential. This attain- able goal must be shared by vastly larger numbers of capable and willing black youth. The Bi-Centennial can be a spring- board to a greater stride toward the realization of this goal. We cannot af- ford to waste one single mind a mind that can be educated to build a better nation; not just for blacks but for all Americans. And. as the popular slogan goes, HA mind is a terrible thing to waste.