ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – This past February, Winthrop University’s Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections honored the late Dorothy Perry Thompson, English professor and founder of the African American Studies program, with a special exhibit. The exhibit also commemorated the 30th anniversary of the program.
The commemoration continues with the Dorothy Perry Thompson Colloquium in African American Studies and the African American Experience. This year’s event, scheduled for Thursday, April 13, will feature three of the four* pioneers that integrated Winthrop:
· Cynthia Plair Roddey ’67, the first African-American student to enroll at Winthrop;
· Delores Johnson Hurt ’68, the first African-American student accepted at Winthrop and the first Black undergraduate to graduate with honors; and
· Sue Frances Meriwether Steed ’67, the first African-American student to earn a degree at Winthrop.
*The fourth, Arnetta Gladden Mackey ‘67, was one of the first two African-American undergraduate students to enroll at Winthrop. She passed away in 2009.
The free cultural event will begin at 7 p.m. in Dina’s Place.
“This is an opportunity to celebrate Winthrop University’s African-American history and to honor those that have been trailblazers and advocates for change,” said O. Jennifer Dixon-McKnight, assistant professor of history and African American Studies program director.
About the Colloquium
The annual colloquium honors the late Thompson by bringing in nationally- and internationally-renowned writers and scholars to talk about different aspects of the African-American experience.
For more information on Winthrop’s African American Studies program and the colloquium, visit the website.
