EMPOWERING A BLACK LEGACY

When it comes to racial justice, isn’t it true that most “white liberals” talk a better game than they place?  The conscious of white America on the issue of racial justice is in question.  But at Georgetown College, an overwhelmingly white campus in Kentucky, President William Crouch has set the bar on ways to transcend the nation’s racial divide and achieve a level of racial justice.

Dr. Crouch’s Presidential works are of note because they are setting precedence for racial progress and measurable inclusion.  In 2006, Crouch took an unprecedented step to break down racial barriers, end common miscommunications and continue arouse black heritage.  In a plan considered “controversial,” Crouch and Georgetown are trying to increase their minority student’s recruitment numbers through relationships with historically black Baptist denominations to adopt the legacy of Bishop College.

With “race issues” so prominent in the 2008 Presidential Campaign, Crouch’s move sets an attention-getting tone.  While the prevailing national discussion evolves around “race natural” and “colorblind” issues, Crouch says, “Everybody talks about ‘diversity’.  We must learn to live, work, and play together.  Therefore, the effectiveness of diversity depends on the sincerity of its delivery”.

Typically marginalized and unrepresented in America, Blacks should recognize actions of inclusion that’s more than talk.  Crouch’s plan to Bishop College’s alumni involves making Georgetown their adopted alma mater.  Georgetown offers scholarships to children or grandchildren of Bishop Alumni or students nominated by Bishop Alumni. Upon graduation, these students receive diplomas with the name and insignia of Bishop College.  The focus of Crouch’s ploy is to help Georgetown increase its minority enrollment to 25 percent by 2012.

Crouch is leading a $27 million campaign that will preserve the memory, spirit and advancement of Bishop College.  Saying he’s captivated by Bishop’s history and its graduates’ accomplishments, Crouch hopes the “Bishop College Alive” campaign will get Bishop Alumni to send good black students his way.  Georgetown College is 897 miles from Bishop’s old Dallas, Texas campus.

Crouch’s initiative includes Legacy Scholarships and a new building named for Bishop, founded in 1881 in the name of a white Northern couple that provided the initial $10,000.  Through financial support of white philanthropists Bishop grew.  During the 1930s through the ‘50s, Bishop was nationally known for its two-year ministerial program – participants included the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rev. Jesse Jackson.  By 1986 Bishop had amassed huge debts, lost its accreditation, filed for bankruptcy and closed.  Paul Quinn College now occupies Bishop’s old campus.

Dr. Crouch acknowledges that boosting Georgetown’s minority enrollment is “absolutely critical” to his quest for a Phi Beta Kappa chapter.  But, to meet that challenge Crouch currently endows Bishop Scholarships at $500,000 annually.  He is raising $4 million for the academic building at Georgetown that will carry the Bishop name and be designed by a black architect.  Bishop’s ministerial Alumna has pledged $1 million toward the project and serves on Georgetown’s board of directors.

With words not spoken in Polite American Society, Crouch says “Diversity in higher education is critical to creating future leaders”.  Crouch has added more African Americans to Georgetown management and admissions positions.  Georgetown officials plan to house sermons and other historical materials related to black Baptist ministers.  Georgetown sought and received a government grant and houses the Kentucky Underground Railroad Research Institute in a building that once served as quarters for slaves in transit.

Dr. Crouch has gotten Sovereign Bank, Simplex Corp., the Army and others to help Bishop People “preserve their heritage”.  He says Georgetown will award an annual honorary doctorate to distinguished Bishop Alum and reintroduce and market a Bishop clothing line.  Crouch’s plan gives Bishop’s People a home away from home.  He’s offered to host Bishop Homecomings on Georgetown’s campus. African-American fraternities and sororities are encouraged to establish chapters in Georgetown’s “Greek” culture.

Crouch is right that the 21^st Century will be increasingly diverse and that culturally-diverse education better prepares people to live and work together.  He’s to be congratulated for his meaningful body of work navigating the historically white Baptist institution past a history based of slavery, segregation, and racism.

By William Reed, Week of September 14, 2008

Tags: National

Category: Business Exchange