Black Alumni Weekend brought back a number of diverse alumni to campus on Saturday, Oct. 17 until Sunday, Oct. 19. The alumni and student annual events were used as a way to bring back African American alumni and to spread diversity over the campus.
The event started with registration on Friday, and included various networking events, student showcases, campus tours and concluded with an awards ceremony.
Junior Finance and Real Estate major Delonte Harrison said, “I think it is important to have events like these to show current students that African American students that came to Longwood went through some obstacles that we are dealing with. [They] have graduated [and] are now living successful lives.
” A unique highlight of this event was the student versus alumni kickball tournament. It offered time for a meet and greet between current students and alumni, as well as other opportunities to bond and share their experiences.
Harrison said, “The event that I enjoyed themost was the meet and greet, because we had time to listen to the alumni stories and how things were on campus. It was also a great networking opportunity.”
The alumni weekend event featured a dinner that included a reunion for B.A.S.I.C. Gospel Choir members and a mix and mingle with Longwood University’s Head Basketball Coach, Coach Jayson Gee. Gee hosted the event in which he spoke at his house. He invited the alumni and students to come as well.
Harrison said, “I thought the entire event went very well, it was a good turn out with the alumni and the students.”
Black Alumni Weekend was sponsored by Black Student Association, NAACP, the National PanHellenic Council, Fierce, Longwood University Athletics, the Alumni Office and Office of Diversity and Inclusion.
This weekend’s mission was to create and develop connections that will help the development of current African American students, faculty and staff, as well as African alumni. It was also to recognize and honor African American alumni for their achievements, service and contributions to the Longwood University community.
