February is Black History Month
Celebrate our differences
University of Central Oklahoma
THURSDAY February 1, 1996
The Student Voice Since 1903
UCO celebrates Black History Month By Judy Simpson Staff Writer "Black men and women were not acknowledged for some of the things they had done to make this the great nation that it is," said Barry Lofton, director of the Multicultural Student Services at UCO. Feburary is recognized as Black History Month, celebrating the accomplishments
and contributions of African American men and women to the United States. In 1926, an ex-school teacher and coal miner named Carter G. Woodson felt there was a need for black people to receive acknowledgment for their accomplishments. Wilson decided to write an almanac called Old Negro Almanac. It featured articles about the accomplishments of
African Americans. In those days, the only things that were written about black folks were negative," said Lofton. Eventually the publication helped establish recognition, which evolved into Black History Month. The author chose the month of February because according to Woodson, two people who had contributed most to the freedom
and equality of black people were born in the month of February: Frederick Douglas and Abraham Lincoln. Lofton said African American accomplishments should be celebrated year round, but February is the focal point because that is when it all originated. "The thing about Black History is that it's part of America, it's not just a black
thing; it's an American thing," he said. "We would like everyone to simply take the time to read and learn and educate themselves about the things black people have accomplished and contributed to this nation." On As part of a tribute to Black History Month, the Vista is running a four-part series profiling noted African Americans at UCO.
Pact made to improve state education By Judy Simpson Staff Writer On Jan. 26, the three top leaders in Oklahoma education vowed to work together to improve the quality of education in the state. At a meeting held by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education at UCO's University Center, a plan was presented by top leaders that focused on improvement in five areas of education. State Superintendent Sandy Garrett, VocationalTechnical Education Director Roy Peters Jr. and Higher Education Chancellor Hans Brisch spoke about ways their schools can work together to improve the areas of student success, accountability, economic development, technology and partnership. As part of the plan to help students succeed, high schools, colleges, universities and technical schools will cooperate to make education more convenient for students by reducing class duplication. Brisch said they will work to increase the number of times and places of courses offered to make them more convenient and accessible to
students. He said they see OneNet, the state's new telecommunications and information system, as a means to accomplish this. There will also be a plan to expand training programs for teachers, counselors and administrators and to improve communication between them. In the area of accountability, education leaders said they will begin providing the public with statistics about dropout rates, graduation rates, performance scores and job placement rates. Oklahoma education will expand its technology base so schools will be able to share classrooms and libraries. There will be training programs to educate teachers and faculty on ways to use the technology. The plan also includes strategies to meet the economic development needs of Oklahoma. Schools will work in a combined effort with business and industry to produce a better educationally-prepared work force. The plan will focus on developing a partnership between elementary, secondary, higher education, vocational-technical schools, the governor's office, legislative leaders and the public in an effort to implement the plan.
Goal! Charles de Course, a junior from Belgium, concentrates intently on his game of foosball in the sunroom of Murdaugh Hall. (Staff photo by Laurette Graham)
INSIDE TODAY INDEX Editorial 2 Sports 6,7 Entertainment 8 Around Campus ....11 Classifieds 12
POLICE Join our very own "Kindergarten Cop" as he makes his police rounds.
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SPORTS Freshman point guard David Factor earns a starting spot on the Bronchos' basketball team.
ALCOHOL Read Part Two of The Vista's four-part series on substance abuse.
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