Marybeth GasmanUniversity of Pennsylvania professor Marybeth Gasman explores issues of access and retention for students and faculty of color and Historically Black Colleges and Universities, among other things.OpinionStopping Hate Before it StartsOn March 20, as U.S. Rep. John Lewis walked to a meeting on Capitol Hill, Tea Party protestors hurled racial slurs at him. They also yelled homophobic comments at and spat on U.S. Rep. Barney Frank. These cruel actions toward two people who have endured much discrimination brought tears to my eyes. Of course I […]March 21, 2010OpinionA Black College Philanthropist That Exemplifies the Very Essence of PhilanthropyA few years ago, I edited a book titled Uplifting a People: African American Philanthropy and Education. In the book, I argued that the existing definition of philanthropy should be expanded, especially as it relates to African-Americans. For too long, our traditional notions of philanthropy have included only wealthy, White men and their financial contributions. […]March 14, 2010OpinionMisunderstanding History in the Age of ObamaOn Feb. 26, President Barack Obama signed an executive order recognizing the nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). In honor of the event, the president said of HBCUs, “They are the campuses where a people were educated, where a middle class was built, where a dream took hold.” As someone interested in […]February 28, 2010OpinionTeaching and Learning about Homophobia and Racism“Homophobia is like racism and anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry in that it seeks to dehumanize a large group of people, to deny their humanity, their dignity and personhood.” –Coretta Scott King A few days ago I was watching television with a mentee of mine — an African-American male. An ad […]February 11, 2010OpinionHaving a Voice and Getting a Stage on Which To Use ItEvery week I meet with students about their academic interests, their future, and their vision. This past week, I met with a young man, about 25 years old, who is pursuing a master’s degree in education. He told me that he wants to be famous – wants to get on TV, radio, and be in […]February 2, 2010OpinionDiversity in the Professoriate: When are We Going to Get Serious?!Often I hear faculty colleagues at my institution and across the nation talking about the need to diversify the professoriate. People say, “I wish we could find more applicants of color” or “It would be great to have more faculty of color here” or “I wonder how other institutions recruit faculty of color” or my […]January 27, 2010OpinionEndangered Species: Male Students of Color in Higher EducationEditor’s note: This blog post was co-authored by Dr. Luis Ponjuan. There is growing concern among educators, researchers, and many local communities over the educational plight of male students of color. Postsecondary enrollment patterns over the past two decades highlight a disturbing trend that traditional college-aged males compared to their female peers are less likely to […]January 19, 2010OpinionMerging Mississippi’s Black Colleges: A Decision That Neglects HistoryIn an effort to cut costs in Mississippi, Gov. Haley Barbour suggested merging the state’s three historically Black institutions. Let me tell you what is wrong with this recommendation. First, Barbour makes the false assumption that Black colleges are all alike and lack diversity. Recommending that the urban Jackson State merge with rural Alcorn […]December 14, 2009OpinionStealing in AcademeYesterday, I received an e-mail from a colleague at another institution that prompted me to write this blog entry about stealing in academe. The e-mail asked me to look over a syllabus that a colleague of his had “developed” for a class on historically Black colleges and universities. He wondered what I thought. As I […]December 3, 2009OpinionToo Fat to Graduate? Lincoln University’s Fitness RequirementsNews media recently reported that Lincoln University in Pennsylvania was requiring their students who have a body-mass index (BMI) over 30 to pass a physical fitness course in order to graduate. This policy, which has been in existence for a few years, is just now getting media attention and is being objected to by some […]November 29, 2009Previous PagePage 6 of 11Next Page
