The Department of Black Studies at the State University of New York at New Paltz is pleased to announce its 40th Anniversary Celebration. All are welcome to join in a gala celebrating “The 40th Anniversary of Black Studies: A Tribute to Commitment, Service and Scholarship” at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 24, in the Hawk Center of the Athletic and Wellness Center.

Words of welcome from administrators, faculty and staff begin the evening which will include a special tribute to the late Dr. Margaret Wade-Lewis, former associate professor and Department of Black Studies chairperson.

The keynote address will be delivered by Dr. James B. Stewart, former president of the National Council for Black Studies, emeritus professor of Labor Studies and Industrial Relations and former vice provost for Educational Equality at Penn State University.

Onika Jervis ’93, who has been an integral part of the volunteer committee organizing fundraisers, working with the Development office and with Wade-Lewis to communicate the need for the Department, said that since the Department of Black Studies’ establishment in 1969, under the direction of former faculty member Dr. Marjorie Butler, it has been an important force at the College and in the Hudson Valley region.

“Its majors and minors pursue the full gamut of degrees and career offerings, as well as advanced degrees, in a variety of disciplines, including masters and doctorates in Black Studies,” said Jervis. “Faculty members play an active role in the life of the College, as well as in the surrounding communities, serving in professional, civic arts, religious and community organizations.”

In tribute to the Department of Black Studies, the First World Alumni Chapter has organized to return home and is hosting a reunion filled with many events. Beginning Friday, April 23, through Sunday, April 25, alumni, family and friends will be “Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Department of Black Studies: Honoring the Life of Dr. Margaret Wade-Lewis” with events including, but not limited to: an art show; a basketball fundraising tournament; a silent auction; alumni historical panels; and career workshops.

The weekend’s events will conclude with the “Dr. Marjorie Butler Voices of Unity (VOU) Gospel Brunch,” which will be held at 10:30 a.m. on April 25 in the Multi-Purpose Room of the Student Union Building.

Additional reunion information is available at: http://npfwmilliondollarendowment.org/reunion_2010.

Registration for the weekend’s events is available at: https://www.newpaltz.edu/alumni/reunion/register/index.cfm?step=form.

Last January, The State University of New York at New Paltz renamed its Minority Recruitment Program (MRP) Scholarship Endowment Fund after the late Dr. Margaret Wade-Lewis. The fund will now be known as the Dr. Margaret Wade-Lewis Memorial MRP Scholarship Endowment Fund.

Individuals interested in contributing a tax deductible gift in memory of Dr. Wade-Lewis to the Dr. Margaret Wade-Lewis Memorial MRP Scholarship Endowment can do so by contacting a SUNY New Paltz Foundation Gifts Officer at (845) 257-3239 or by visiting www.newpaltz.edu/foundation and then proceed to the upper right corner of the page and click on "make a gift.” You must write in "MRP Endowment" in the line that asks where to direct your gift